SOCY230 Exam 1 – All Terms and Definitions

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key sociological terms and concepts for SOCY230 Exam preparation.

Theory

A logically connected set of ideas that explains and predicts social behavior.

Middle range theory

A theory explaining a specific social process rather than all of society.

Social identity theory

The idea that people define themselves through group membership and favor their own group.

Social psychology

The systematic study of how the real, imagined, or implied presence of others influences thoughts, feelings, and behavior.

Sociological social psychology

Focuses on how social structure, groups, and roles shape behavior.

Psychological social psychology

Focuses on how social stimuli affect individual thoughts and emotions.

Situated identity

The identity a person performs in a specific situation.

Role taking

Seeing from another person’s perspective to guide behavior.

Reflexive self

The idea that the self develops through social interaction.

Social exchange perspective

The view that people make decisions by comparing rewards and costs.

Conditioning

A learning process where behavior is shaped by reinforcement or punishment.

Status

A socially recognized rank or position in a group.

Cognitive structure

The mental organization of knowledge.

Cognitive processes

The ways people think, remember, and interpret information.

Schema

A mental framework used to organize and interpret information.

Heuristics

Mental shortcuts used to make quick decisions.

Methodology

The overall strategy and logic used to conduct research.

Research process

The sequence from research question to conclusion.

Hypothesis

A specific testable prediction about relationships between variables.

Independent variable

The factor treated as the cause in a study.

Dependent variable

The outcome measured in a study.

Extraneous variable

An outside factor that may influence results.

Internal validity

The extent a study demonstrates true cause and effect.

External validity

The extent findings can be generalized beyond the study.

Quantitative methods

Research using numerical data and statistical analysis.

Qualitative methods

Research focusing on meanings, experiences, and observations.

Reliability

The consistency of a measurement.

Validity

The accuracy of a measurement.

Population

The entire group being studied.

Sample

A subset of the population.

Simple random sample

A sample where every member has equal chance of selection.

Stratified sample

A sample drawn from divided subgroups of a population.

Variables

Measurable factors that vary.

Socialization

The lifelong process of learning norms, values, beliefs, and behaviors of society.

Symbols

Objects or gestures with shared meaning.

Values

Cultural standards of what is desirable or important.

Beliefs

Ideas people accept as true.

Norms

Social rules guiding behavior.

Institutions

Organized social structures such as family, school, and religion.

Primary socialization

Early learning that prepares individuals to function in society.

Secondary socialization

Later learning that prepares individuals for specific social roles.

Internalization

When social norms become part of personal belief.

Self schema

Organized knowledge and beliefs about oneself.

Self

The source and object of social behavior.

Mead I

The spontaneous active part of the self.

Mead Me

The socialized part of the self shaped by society.

Generalized other

The internalized expectations and attitudes of society.

Looking glass self

The self develops from imagining how others see and judge us.

Identity standards

Expectations for how an identity should be enacted.

Reflected appraisals

Perceptions of how others evaluate us.

Identity enactment

Performing behaviors associated with an identity.

Identity verification

Aligning behavior with identity standards.

Identity salience

The likelihood an identity will be enacted.

Self discrepancy

The gap between actual, ideal, and normative self.

Self esteem

An individual’s overall evaluation of self worth.

Self presentation

Managing how others perceive you.

Front stage

The public setting where individuals perform for others.

Back stage

The private setting where individuals relax and drop performance.

Definition of the situation

Shared understanding that guides interaction.

Frame

The structure people use to interpret a social situation.

Ingratiation

Attempting to gain approval through flattery or agreement.

Embarrassment

Discomfort when social performance fails.

Saving face

Attempting to restore social image.

Stigma

A socially discrediting attribute that negatively affects identity and interaction.