Sociology Lecture Notes Review

A collection of vocabulary flashcards to help review key concepts in sociology.

Sociology

The scientific study of companionship or reasoning about the social; encompasses the study of individuals, relations & groups, and social structures.

Auguste Comte

Introduced sociology in 1838 and believed future generations would live better than the past, emphasizing a scientific approach to social study.

Sociological Imagination

The ability to see societal patterns influencing individuals and groups, connecting personal troubles to larger social issues.

Macro-sociology

Focuses on large-scale social structures and trends, such as governments and economies.

Micro-sociology

Focuses on small groups and individual interactions, such as families and friendships.

Social Facts

Patterns of behavior, values, and institutions that exist outside individuals but shape their actions, as defined by Émile Durkheim.

Functionalism

A theoretical perspective that views society as a system with interdependent structures that serve essential functions.

Collective Consciousness

The set of shared beliefs and norms that bind a society together, ensuring cooperation and social cohesion.

Alienation

A concept in Marxist theory referring to the disconnection workers feel from their labor, themselves, and their communities due to industrial conditions.

Conflict Theory

A sociological perspective that views society as characterized by social conflict due to inequalities in power and resources.

Symbolic Interactionism

A micro-level sociological perspective that focuses on the meanings and interpretations that individuals assign to social interactions.

Social Solidarity

The ties that bind people together in society, which can be based on shared customs or interdependence in modern societies.

Harriet Martineau

Considered the first practicing sociologist, she translated Comte's work and advocated for social justice and human rights.

C Wright Mills

Credited with coining the term Sociological Imagination, highlighting the connection between individual experiences and larger societal forces.

Egoistic Suicide

A type of suicide associated with low social integration, where individuals feel detached from society.

Altruistic Suicide

A type of suicide that occurs at high social integration, where individuals may sacrifice themselves for the perceived benefit of others.

Anomic Suicide

A type of suicide resulting from low moral regulation, often occurring in times of social instability or upheaval.

Fatalistic Suicide

A type of suicide that results from excessive moral regulation, where individuals feel trapped by their circumstances.

Scientific Method

A systematic approach to studying social phenomena by collecting data and analyzing patterns to understand societal problems.

Cultural Sensitivity (Du Bois)

Using personal experiences, particularly regarding racism, to inform sociological studies.