Sociology Final Review: Groups, Organizations, Deviance, Social Control

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to groups, organizations, deviance, and social control as discussed in the sociology lecture.

Social Group

A collection of individuals who share a sense of identity and regularly interact.

Social Category

A group of individuals who must meet regularly but do not necessarily interact.

Primary Groups

Groups that play the most critical role in our lives, typically consisting of close, personal relationships.

Secondary Groups

Groups that are larger and more impersonal, focusing on specific tasks and goals.

Reference Group

A group that provides standards for guiding behavior and attitudes.

Instrumental Leader

A leader focused on achieving group goals.

Bureaucracy

An organization characterized by impersonal relationships and a chain of command.

McDonaldization of Society

The application of fast-food principles to other institutions, emphasizing efficiency and predictability.

Deviance

Behavior that violates contextual, cultural, or social norms.

Primary Deviance

Initial acts of rule-breaking that do not affect self-identity.

Power Elite Theory

The theory suggesting that wealthy individuals face fewer consequences for deviance.

Labeling Theory

A theory that suggests deviance is relative and depends on who defines the behavior.

Strain Theory

A theory outlining how individuals may adapt in different ways to societal goals and means.

Ritualism

A concept in strain theory where individuals strictly adhere to norms while giving up on achieving societal goals.

Innovator

In Merton's strain theory, an individual who finds alternative means to achieve societal goals.

Retreatism

A response to strain where individuals reject both the goals and means of society.

Differential Association Theory

The theory that suggests deviance is learned through interactions with others.

Victim Discounting

The idea that crimes against the lower class are less likely to be pursued by law enforcement.

White-Collar Crime

Crime committed by individuals of high social position during the course of their legitimate occupations.

Social Control

Mechanisms that society uses to prevent deviance and promote conformity.