sociology clap exam

Absolute poverty

A standard of poverty based on a minimum level of subsistence below which families should not be expected to exist.

Achieved status

A social position attained by a person largely through his or her own efforts.

Activity theory

An interactionist theory of aging that argues that elderly people who remain active will be best-adjusted.

Adoption

In a legal sense, a process that allows for the transfer of the legal rights, responsibilities, and privileges of parenthood to a new legal parent or parents

Affirmative action

Positive efforts to recruit minority group members or women for jobs, promotions, and educational opportunities.

Ageism

A term coined by Robert N. Butler to refer to prejudice and discrimination against the elderly.

Agrarian society

The most technologically advanced form of preindustrial society. Members are primarily engaged in the production of food but increase their crop yield through such innovations as the plow.

Alienation

The condition of being estranged or disassociated from the surrounding society.

Amalgamation

The process by which a majority group and a minority group combine through intermarriage to form a new group.

Anomie

Durkheim's term for the loss of direction felt in a society when social control of individual behavior has become ineffective.

Anomie theory of deviance

A theory developed by Robert Merton that explains deviance as an adaptation either of socially prescribed goals or of the norms governing their attainment, or both.

Anticipatory socialization

Processes of socialization in which a person "rehearses" for future positions, occupations, and social relationships.

Anti-Semitism

Anti-Jewish prejudice.

Apartheid

The former policy of the South African government designed to maintain the separation of Blacks and other non-Whites from the dominant Whites.

Argot

Specialized language used by members of a group or subculture.

Ascribed status

A social position "assigned" to a person by society without regard for the person's unique talents or characteristics.