Introduction to Sociology Chp 1-2

Sociology

Systematic study of human societies, social life, and relationships.

Social Patterns

Regular, predictable forms of behavior in society

Institutions

Organized systems structuring social life (family, education, economy, state, religion).

Human Behavior

Actions shaped by norms, values, and social structures.

Sociological Imagination

Ability to link personal experiences to wider social forces.

Personal Troubles

Individual problems in private life.

Public Issues

Social problems rooted in structural conditions.

Social Context

Economic, political, and cultural environment shaping lives.

Social Structure

Stable patterns of relationships and institutions shaping behavior.

Agency

Capacity to act independently and make choices.

Structure–Agency Debate

Tension between social constraints and individual freedom.

Culture

Shared values, beliefs, norms, symbols, and material objects.

Values

Ideas about what is important or desirable.

Norms

Rules guiding acceptable behavior.

Symbols

Objects or actions with shared meanings.

Material Culture

Physical objects created by society.

Socialization

Lifelong process of learning norms and values.

Primary Socialization

Early learning through family.

Secondary Socialization

Learning through school, peers, media, work.

Modernity

Social order shaped by industrialization, capitalism, rationality, and change.

Industrialization

Growth of factory-based production.

Capitalism

Economic system based on private ownership and profit.

Nation-State

Centralized political authority over a defined territory.

Globalization

Growing global interconnectedness.

Global Networks

Cross-border economic, political, and cultural connections.

Cultural Exchange

Sharing and blending of cultures worldwide.

Sociological Theory

Frameworks for explaining social behavior and structures.

Macro-Level Analysis

Focus on large-scale systems (class, state, economy).

Micro-Level Analysis

Focus on everyday interactions.

Functionalism

Society as interdependent parts maintaining stability.

Social Function

Contribution of institutions to social order.

Social Cohesion

Bonds uniting society.

Solidarity

Shared values and sense of belonging.

Conflict Theory

Society shaped by inequality and power struggles.

Class

Economic position in society.

Class Conflict

Struggle over resources and power.

Power

Ability to influence others.

Symbolic Interactionism

Focus on meaning in everyday interaction.

Social Interaction

Daily encounters between individuals.

Self

Identity formed through interaction.

Meaning

Shared interpretations of symbols.

Feminist Theory

Analysis of gender inequality and patriarchy.

Patriarchy

System of male dominance.

Gender Roles

Social expectations of masculinity and femininity.

Intersectionality

Overlapping forms of inequality (gender, race, class).

Postmodernism

Rejection of universal truths and fixed identities.

Fragmentation

Breakdown of shared values and identities.

Narratives

Stories societies use to explain reality.

Reflexivity

Continuous self-monitoring and identity construction.

Lifestyle Choices

Decisions shaping how individuals live.

Risk Society

Society focused on managing modern, human-made risks.

Manufactured Risk

Risks created by technology and industrialization.

Expertise

Specialized knowledge used to manage uncertainty.