SOC 100 Sociological Theory Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards for reviewing sociological theory concepts.

Society (Simmel)

Patterned interactions among members of a group, a web of individuals connected through patterned interactions.

Sociation (Simmel)

The forms of interaction between people, the focus of sociological study according to Simmel.

Social Type (Simmel)

A kind of role someone plays in a group, based on how others treat them in that role, such as the stranger or the poor.

Stranger (Simmel)

Someone who is new to a group, can leave it, and is seen as more objective.

Dyad (Simmel)

A group of two people where each participant is confronted only by one other, and if one leaves, the dyad is destroyed.

Triad (Simmel)

A group of three people where each individual can be outvoted by the majority.

Mediate (Simmel - Triad Interaction)

Resolving conflict between the other two members of a triad.

Rejoice (Simmel - Triad Interaction)

Benefiting from the conflict between the other two members of a triad.

Divide & Rule (Simmel - Triad Interaction)

Generating conflict between the first two members of a triad for one's own advantage.

Symbolic Interactionism

A sociological perspective shaped by Simmel's work, focusing on everyday individual social interactions.

The 'Me' (Mead)

The socialized aspect of the self, influenced by society’s expectations and norms.

The 'I' (Mead)

The spontaneous, individual aspect of the self, reacting uniquely to the world.

Self (Mead)

A performed character that arises through social interaction, not an organic thing within the individual.

Impression Management

Controlling how others perceive one's identity and self in social situations.

Double Consciousness (DuBois)

The internal conflict experienced by African Americans navigating two identities: one as a racial group member and another in a prejudiced society.

The Veil (DuBois)

A metaphor for the racial divide between African Americans and white Americans. A barrier preventing African Americans from seeing themselves as others see them.

Front Stage (Goffman)

The part of life where we perform for others.

Back Stage (Goffman)

Where we can be ourselves, without performing.

Performance (Goffman)

How we act in front of others.

Script (Goffman)

The roles we are expected to play.

Props and Setting (Goffman)

The objects and context that help us perform our role.

Costume (Goffman)

The clothes we wear to signify our role.

Impression Management (Goffman)

The act of controlling how others perceive us.

Role Distance (Goffman)

The separation between who we are and the roles we are playing.

Doing Gender

Actively performing gender in daily life through behaviors, actions, and interactions.

Functionalism View of Society

Focuses on the large scale structures and institutions of society, it examines their functional significance meaning the purpose they serve for society as a whole.

Stratification

The structure of inequality where individuals occupy different positions that are ranked by hierarchy.

Human Capital

Skills and knowledge.

Economic Capital

Wealth, money, and assets.

Social Capital

The resources embedded in social networks; exists in relationships.

Cultural Capital

Cultural knowledge and abilities as self presentation.

Basic Elements of Foucault’s Disciplinary Power

Knowledge and social norm creation are sources of power. Power operates on individuals, extending into the most infinitesimal parts of individual lives.

Docile Bodies

Bodies that have internalized the norms and expectations of society are therefore more easily managed and controlled.

Authority (Mills)

Power that people believe in and voluntarily obey.

Manipulation (Mills)

Power wielded unbeknown to the powerless.

Coercion (Mills)

Power employed with the use of force, without consent of the subjugated.

Unique Standpoint (Hill Collins)

A distinct perspective on society due to social location.

Intersectionality

People face multiple systems of inequality simultaneously.

Critical Race Theory

argues that racism is common and is engrained in the systems and structures of the US. Also emphasizes that race is a social construct and there is no biological factor.

Social norm (Simmel)

Rules and expectations that govern social behavior.

Forms of Interaction (Simmel)

The ways in which people interact with each other in society.

Social differentiation (Simmel)

The process by which individuals are distinguished from one another based on various social characteristics.

Objective culture (Simmel)

The products and institutions that are created by humans, such as art, science, and technology.

Subjective culture (Simmel)

The capacity of individuals to produce, absorb, and control the elements of objective culture.

Socialization (Mead)

The process by which individuals learn the norms, values, and behaviors of their society.

Generalized other (Mead)

The attitudes, viewpoints, and expectations of society as a whole that an individual takes into account in his or her behavior.

Looking-glass self (Cooley)

A concept that emphasizes the role of social interaction in the development of the self. That is achieved through the way we interpret other people’s perception of us.

Dramaturgy (Goffman)

A sociological perspective that views social life as a theatrical performance.

Face-work (Goffman)

The efforts people make to maintain their self-esteem and to avoid embarrassment in social situations.

Deviance (Goffman)

Behavior that violates social norms and expectations.

Stigma (Goffman)

A social or individual attribute that is devalued and discredited by society.

Total institutions (Goffman)

Settings where individuals are isolated from the rest of society and are subject to strict control and supervision.

Gender roles

social and cultural expectations associated with each sex.

Patriarchy

A social system in which men hold primary power and predominate in roles of political leadership, moral authority, social privilege and control of property.

Capitalism

An economic and political system in which a country's trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit, rather than by the state.

Domination

The exercise of control or influence over someone or something.

Exploitation

The action or fact of treating someone unfairly in order to benefit from their work.

Social Construction

An idea or practice that a group of people agree exists. It is maintained over time by people taking its existence for granted.

Idealist Solutions to Racism

Focuses on changing ideas, beliefs, and attitudes. Believe racism comes from ignorance, stereotypes, and bad thinking. Think the solution is education, empathy, and cultural understanding.

Realist Solutions to Racism

Focus on changing policies, laws, and systems. Believe racism is about power and unequal opportunities, not just beliefs. Think the solution is to change the structures that keep racial inequality in place.

Structural racism

Racism that is embedded as normal practice within a society or an organization.

Color-blindness

The belief that racial classifications should be avoided because they are discriminatory.