Sociology Refresher: Social Inequality and Group Dynamics

Definitions of key sociological concepts regarding prejudice, discrimination, stratification, social groups, and identity.

Prejudice

A judgment about an individual or group of individuals on the basis of their social, physical, or cultural characteristics, serving as the attitudinal component associated with discrimination.

Discrimination

The unequal treatment of an individual or group on the basis of their social, physical, or cultural characteristics, serving as the behavioral component associated with prejudice.

Institutional Discrimination

Discriminatory practices built into the structure of social institutions, such as education or criminal justice, often embedded in policies, laws, and practices.

Social Stratification

A system by which society ranks categories of people in a hierarchy, resulting in structured inequalities regarding access to power, property, and prestige.

Social Reproduction

The processes through which societies maintain continuity over time, specifically the transmission of social inequality from one generation to the next via socialization and social structures.

Upward Mobility

The ability to move up within the stratification system, influenced by factors such as education, family background, and economic opportunities.

Downward Mobility

The movement to a lower position within the stratification system, often affected by changes in economic opportunities or social networks.

Socioeconomic Status (SES)

A measure of an individual's or family's economic and social position relative to others, based on income, education, and occupation.

Secondary Group

A large and impersonal social group whose members typically pursue a specific goal or activity; these are often temporary, task-oriented, and less emotionally intense.

Ethnicity

A socially constructed attribute referring to shared cultural heritage, nationality, or ancestry, often including shared language, religion, and traditions.

Race

A category of people who share inherited physical characteristics, such as skin color, facial features, and hair texture, which a society defines as important.

Sex

The biological differences between males, females, and the intersex, including chromosomes, hormonal profiles, and internal and external sex organs.

Gender

Socially constructed expectations about how people should think and act based upon their sex, which varies greatly between different cultures and over time.

Primary Group

A small, intimate, and long-term social group characterized by close, personal relationships and strong emotional ties, crucial for support and socialization.