Behavioral Sciences 11: Social Structure and Demographics

Functionalism

Focuses on the function of each part of society. Manifest Functions: Deliberate actions that serve to help a given system. Latent Functions: Unexpected, unintended, or unrecognized consequences of manifest actions.

Conflict Theory

Based on the works of Karl Marx. Conflict Theory focuses on how power differentials are created and contribute to maintaining social order. It explains how groups compete for resources to attain power or superiority.

Conflict Sociology

The study of the way that distinct groups compete for resources.

Symbolic Interactionism

The study of the ways individuals interact through a shared understanding of words, gestures, and other symbols. The "meaning" of social symbols.

Microsociology

The study of expressions, symbolic gestures, and other small, individual components of a society.

Social Constructionism

Explores the ways in which individuals and groups make decisions to agree upon a given social reality. The "value" they place on certain social constructs. Social constructivism focuses on altering that constructed view.

Rational Choice Theory

States that individuals will make decisions that maximize benefit and minimize harm. Expectancy Theory applies rational choice theory within groups.

Feminist Theory

Explores the ways in which one gender can be subordinated.

Social Institutions

Well-established social structures that dictate certain patterns of behavior or relationships.

4 Tenets Of Medicine

Beneficence, nonmaleficence, respect for autonomy, and justice.

Culture

Encompasses the lifestyle of a group of people.

Material Culture

Refers to the physical objects, resources, and spaces that people use to define their culture.

Symbolic Culture

Includes the ideas associated with a cultural group.

Cultural Lag

The idea that material culture changes more quickly than symbolic culture.

Language

Spoken or written symbols combined into a system.

Value

What a person deems important in life.

Belief

Something a person considers to be true.

Ritual

Formal ceremonial behavior usually includes symbolism.

Norms

Societal rules that define the boundaries of acceptable behavior.

Demographics

Statistics of populations. Most common are ageism, gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and immigration.

Fertility Rate

Average number of children born to a woman during her lifetime in a population.

Birth & Mortality Rate

Usually measured as the number of births or deaths per 1000 people per year.

Migration

The movement of people from one location to another.

Ethnic Migrants

Ethnic groups emigrating to more industrialized countries tend to have increased fertility and increased mortality compared to the industrialized nation’s population.

Demographic Transition

A model used to represent drops in birth and death rates as a result of industrialization.

Social Movements

Organized to either promote (proactive) or resist (reactive) social change.

Globalization

The process of integrating a global economy with free trade and tapping of foreign labor markets.

Urbanization

The process of dense areas of population creating a pull for migration.