Introduction to Sociology

A set of flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the introduction to sociology, including definitions and examples.

Sociology

The study of how people interact and how society works as a whole.

C. Wright Mills

The thinker who created the concept of the sociological imagination, which helps connect personal lives to larger social forces.

Personal Troubles

Problems that occur to an individual, such as losing a job.

Public Issues

Problems that affect a large number of people due to societal structures, like high unemployment rates.

Structure

The 'rules' and patterns of society that shape individual actions.

Agency

The ability of individuals to think and make choices independently, despite societal rules.

Social Solidarity

The 'glue' that keeps people feeling connected through shared beliefs.

Norms

Unwritten rules governing behavior in society.

Anomie

A feeling of confusion or disconnection due to rapidly changing social rules.

Manifest Function

The obvious, intended purpose of an action or structure in society.

Latent Function

A hidden or additional benefit resulting from an action or structure.

Dysfunction

When an element of society causes problems.

Symbols

Things that carry specific meanings, agreed upon by society.

Macro

Referring to large groups and systems in sociology.

Micro

Referring to one-on-one interactions in sociology.

Symbolic Interactionism

A theory that focuses on individual interactions and the creation of society through these interactions.

Shared Meaning

Things only have meaning because we agree they do

Structural Functionalism

This theory looks at society like a human body. Just like your heart and lungs must work together to keep you alive, parts of society (like family and government) must work together to keep society stable

Sociology Basics

Sociology is the study of how people interact and how society works as a whole