ch.1 sociology vocab

Perspective

a particular point of view

Conformity

behavior that matches group expectations

Sociology

the scientific study of social structure; patterned social behavior

Social structure

the patterned interaction of people in social relationships

Sociological perspective

a view that looks at behavior of groups, not individuals

Sociological Imagination

the ability to see the link between society and self

Research

investigation or experimentation aimed at the discovery and interpretation of facts

Assumption

the act of taking for granted or supposing

Positivism

the belief that knowledge should be derived from scientific observation

Social statics

the study of social stability and order

Social dynamics

the study of social change

Bourgeoisie

class owning the means for producing wealth

Capitalist

person who owns or controls the means for producing wealth

Proletariat

working class; those who labor for the bourgeoisie

Class conflict

the ongoing struggle between the bourgeoisie (owners) and the proletariat (working) classes

Mechanical solidarity

social dependency based on a widespread consensus of values and beliefs, enforced conformity, and dependence on tradition and family

Organic solidarity

social interdependency based on a high degree of specialization in roles

Verstehen

Understanding social behavior by putting yourself in the places of others

Rationalization

the mind-set emphasizing knowledge, reason, and planning

Symbol

anything that stands for something else and has an agreed-upon meaning attatched to it

Abstract

expressing a quality or characteristic apart from any specific object or instance

Theoretical perspective

a set of assumptions about an area of study accepted as true

Functionalism

approach that emphasizes the contributions made by each part of society

Manifest functions

intended and recognized consequences of an aspect of society

Latent functions

unintended and unrecognized consequences of an aspect of society

Dysfunction

negative consequence of an aspect of society

Conflict perspective

approach emphasizing the role of conflict, competition, and constraint within a society

Power

the ability to control the behavior of others

Symbolic interactionism

approach that focuses on the interactions among people based on mutually understood symbols

dramaturgy

approach that depicts human interaction as theatrical performances