Fall 2025 Mid-Term Study Guide

A collection of vocabulary-focused flashcards covering key concepts from the sociology lecture notes.

Max Weber

Founder of sociology known for emphasizing the goal of revealing and explaining 'inconvenient facts'.

Debunking motif

A theme in sociology aimed at seeing beyond superficial understandings of social reality.

Social inequality

A term used interchangeably with vertical social structure.

Sociological imagination

The ability to appreciate the structural basis for individual problems.

Public sociology

The use of sociological insights to address social issues and achieve social change.

Micro sociology

A school of thought focusing on small scale interactions.

Macro sociology

A school of thought focusing on large scale social phenomena.

Sociology

The scientific study of social behavior and social institutions.

Sociological perspective

The belief that people's social backgrounds influence their attitudes, behavior, and life chances.

Life chances

The degree to which people succeed in life in areas like education, income, and health.

Bourgeoisie

Another name for the ruling class in Marx and Engels’ view of capitalism.

Conflict Theory

A perspective that grew out of revolutionary calls to eliminate capitalism.

Symbolic interaction

The perspective that focuses on meanings gained from social interaction.

Anomie

A state of normlessness that occurs when social norms are unclear.

Feminist theory

A theory concerning gender inequality contained in conflict theory.

Emile Durkheim

Sociologist responsible for the idea of the sociological perspective.

Macrosociology

The part of sociology dealing with large-scale social change and institutions.

Utilitarianism

Also referred to as exchange theory or rational choice theory.

Scientific method

A method used in sociology to understand various aspects of society.

Generalization

A conclusion drawn from sociological research that applies to broad categories of people.

Expert Authorities

Individuals such as teachers, researchers, and government officials who guide our understanding of social reality.

Hypothesis

A statement of the relationship between two variables.

Random sample

A subset drawn from the larger population where every unit has the same chance of inclusion.

Convenience sample

A non-random sample used because it is quick and inexpensive.

Types of sociological research

Includes survey, experiment, observation, interviewing, and existing data.

Control group

A group in an experiment that does not experience the experimental condition.

Secondary data analysis

The analysis of data from existing records.

Ethical guidelines of sociology

Include privacy, confidentiality, and informed consent.

Informed consent

A critical ethical guideline concerning studies including incarcerated individuals.

Research process

Begins with choosing a topic.

Unit of Analysis

The focus of sociological research.

Background assumption

Our understanding of roles expected of people in a given encounter.

Socialization

The process through which individuals learn their culture and become fully human.

Looking glass self

Cooley’s term for how we understand our self-image and self-identity.

Generalized other

A term by Mead referring to society’s conscience.

Sensorimotor stage

Piaget's term for infants using senses to discover the world.

Master status

A status that overrides other statuses a person may hold.

Ascribed status

A status a person is born into and cannot control.

Achieved status

A status acquired through one’s own efforts after birth.

Social networks

The totality of relationships linking us to others.

Formal organization

A large group that follows explicit rules to achieve specific goals.

Horticultural societies

Societies that use simple tools like hoes.

Industrial societies

Societies featuring factories and machines.

Impression management

The process of conveying a favorable image of oneself in social interactions.

Social aggregate

A collection of people in the same place at the same time without necessarily interacting.

Reference group

A group that sets standards for guiding our own behavior and attitudes.

Group think

The tendency for group members to remain silent and conform against better judgment.

Utilitarian organization

Organizations people join for personal benefits.

Normative organization

Organizations people join to pursue moral goals.

Bureaucracy

A formal organization designed to achieve goals in an efficient way.

Iron law of oligarchy

The rule of a few (elites) over the many.

Social control

How society prevents and sanctions behavior that violates norms.

Crime

Behavior that violates criminal laws.

Deviance

Behavior that violates norms and provokes negative social reactions.

Howard Becker

Sociologist known for his statement on the relativity of deviance.

Labeling theory

The theory suggesting that labeling someone deviantly increases their likelihood of becoming deviant.

Collective Conscience

Durkheim's concept explaining why norm violations occur.

Strain Theory

The view that deviance results from the failure to achieve conventional financial success.

Social ecology approach

The view that neighborhood characteristics influence deviance.

Travis Hirschi

Sociologist who emphasized weak bonds to social institutions lead to deviance.

National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS)

An annual survey providing accurate pictures of crime in the US.

Victimless crime

Illegal behaviors voluntarily participated in by individuals.

Conventional crime

Includes violent and property offenses.

White collar crime

Crime committed in the course of one's occupation.

Conspicuous consumption

The acquisition of lavish products to show off wealth.

False consciousness

The failure to possess class consciousness.

Class consciousness

An awareness of one’s social class membership and its structural reasons.

Max Weber

Founder of sociology known for emphasizing the goal of revealing and explaining 'inconvenient facts'.

Debunking motif

A theme in sociology aimed at seeing beyond superficial understandings of social reality.

Social inequality

A term used interchangeably with vertical social structure.

Sociological imagination

The ability to appreciate the structural basis for individual problems.

Public sociology

The use of sociological insights to address social issues and achieve social change.

Micro sociology

A school of thought focusing on small scale interactions.

Macro sociology

A school of thought focusing on large scale social phenomena.

Sociology

The scientific study of social behavior and social institutions.

Sociological perspective

The belief that people's social backgrounds influence their attitudes, behavior, and life chances.

Life chances

The degree to which people succeed in life in areas like education, income, and health.

Bourgeoisie

Another name for the ruling class in Marx and Engels’ view of capitalism.

Conflict Theory

A perspective that grew out of revolutionary calls to eliminate capitalism.

Symbolic interaction

The perspective that focuses on meanings gained from social interaction.

Anomie

A state of normlessness that occurs when social norms are unclear.

Feminist theory

A theory concerning gender inequality contained in conflict theory.

Emile Durkheim

Sociologist responsible for the idea of the sociological perspective.

Macrosociology

The part of sociology dealing with large-scale social change and institutions.

Utilitarianism

Also referred to as exchange theory or rational choice theory.

Scientific method

A method used in sociology to understand various aspects of society.

Generalization

A conclusion drawn from sociological research that applies to broad categories of people.

Expert Authorities

Individuals such as teachers, researchers, and government officials who guide our understanding of social reality.

Hypothesis

A statement of the relationship between two variables.

Random sample

A subset drawn from the larger population where every unit has the same chance of inclusion.

Convenience sample

A non-random sample used because it is quick and inexpensive.

Types of sociological research

Includes survey, experiment, observation, interviewing, and existing data.

Control group

A group in an experiment that does not experience the experimental condition.

Secondary data analysis

The analysis of data from existing records.

Ethical guidelines of sociology

Include privacy, confidentiality, and informed consent.

Informed consent

A critical ethical guideline concerning studies including incarcerated individuals.

Research process

Begins with choosing a topic.

Unit of Analysis

The focus of sociological research.

Background assumption

Our understanding of roles expected of people in a given encounter.

Socialization

The process through which individuals learn their culture and become fully human.