Sociological Perspective, Social Interaction, and Social Structure

Vocabulary flashcards covering key definitions, theories of social interaction, self-development models, and elements of social structure from the lecture.

Sociology

The study of the social life of individuals, groups, and societies, focusing on the understanding of social rules and processes that connect and separate people as individuals and as members of groups, associations, and institutions.

Social Exchange Theory

A perspective in sociology and social psychology, founded upon the works of Homans and Blau, which posits that social change and stability represent a process of cost-benefit analyses between parties.

Worth (Social Exchange Theory)

The calculated outcome of a relationship derived by subtracting its costs from its rewards: $\text{Worth} = \text{Rewards} - \text{Costs}$. A positive result indicates a positive relationship expected to endure, while a negative result indicates a negative relationship that will likely terminate.

Social Construction of Reality

A principle central to symbolic interaction theory stating that our perception of what is real is determined by the subjective meaning that we attribute to an experience.

Looking-Glass Self

A concept advanced by Charles Horton Cooley in the early 1900s emphasizing that the self is the product of our social interactions, formed through direct contemplation of personal qualities and our impressions of how others perceive us.

Three Phases of Self-Identity Development

Cooley's three-step process of self-concept formation: 1) imagining how we present ourselves to others, 2) imagining how others evaluate us, and 3) developing a feeling about ourselves (such as respect or shame) as a result of these impressions.

Preparatory Stage

The first stage in George Herbert Mead's model of self-development where children merely imitate the people around them (especially family members) and gradually become adept at using gestures and words.

Play Stage

The second stage in Mead's model where children develop skill in communicating through symbols, become more aware of social relationships, and pretend to take on the roles of other people (such as a doctor, parent, or superhero).

Game Stage

The third stage in Mead's model (occurring around age eight or nine) where a child considers several tasks and relationships simultaneously, grasping their own social position as well as the positions of others.

Generalized Other

George Herbert Mead's term for the attitudes, viewpoints, and expectations of society as a whole that an individual takes into account when guiding his or her behavior.

Impression Management

A process formulated by Erving Goffman by which individuals control and manipulate how others perceive them, often operating like a con game during everyday social interaction.

Dramaturgy

Erving Goffman's view of social interaction which assumes that people are actors on a stage in the drama of everyday life, presenting different faces in different situations, roles, or settings.

Status

Any of the full range of socially defined positions within a large group or society, ranging from the lowest to the highest.

Ascribed Status

A social position assigned to a person by society without regard for individual unique talents or characteristics, generally determined at birth based on biological characteristics such as race, gender, and age.

Achieved Status

A social position acquired largely through an individual's own efforts, skills, and actions, such as becoming a lawyer, computer programmer, pianist, or student.

Ascribed vs. Achieved Statuses Diagram

A diagram illustrating how an individual ('Me') simultaneously holds ascribed statuses (such as female, 20 years old, daughter, Latina, sister) and achieved statuses (such as classmate, roommate, employee, friend, teammate, student).

Master Status

A status that dominates all other social positions held by an individual and thereby determines that person's general position in society.

Social Role

A set of expectations for individuals who occupy a given social position or status within a society.

Role Conflict

A situation that occurs when incompatible expectations arise from two or more social positions held by the same person.