Sociology unit 1

Auguste Comte

French philosopher known as the "Father of sociology" who emphasized the study of social behavior for societal improvement.

Positivism

The belief that sociology should be a science based on knowledge that can be positively verified.

Social Statics

The study of social stability and order.

Social Dynamics

The study of social change.

Harriet Martineau

English sociologist who translated Comte’s work and contributed to research methods, political economy, and Feminism.

Feminist Theory

A framework pioneered by Martineau linking the oppression of women to slavery and advocating for liberation.

Herbert Spencer

English sociologist who compared societies to the human body and opposed societal reform, believing it interfered with natural selection.

Karl Marx

German thinker focused on poverty and inequality, known for his analysis of social classes and the concept of class conflict.

Bourgeoisie

The social class that owns the means of production and wealth.

Proletariat

The working class that sells their labor to the bourgeoisie for survival.

Emile Durkheim

French sociologist who studied social consensus and the social factors influencing human behavior, including suicide.

Mechanical Consensus

A type of social cohesion based on shared beliefs and traditions.

Organic Solidarity

Social interdependency arising from specialized roles within a society.

Max Weber

German sociologist known for his work on understanding social behavior and the concept of rationalization.

Verstehen

The method of understanding social behavior by empathizing with others' perspectives.

Jane Addams

American social reformer who co-founded Hull House and focused on social class imbalances.

W.E.B

American sociologist who studied racial discrimination and co-founded the NAACP, advocating for the rights of Black Americans.

Theoretical Perspective

A set of assumptions about a study area that helps organize research.

Functionalism

A perspective emphasizing the functions of each part of society.

Conflict Perspective

A viewpoint focusing on conflict, competition, and change within society.

Symbolic Interactionism

A theoretical perspective that examines interactions based on shared symbols.

Culture

The knowledge, language, values, customs, and physical objects passed through generations.

Norms

Rules defining appropriate and inappropriate behavior in society.

Folkway

A norm with no moral significance.

Mores

Norms with moral dimensions that are expected to be followed.

Values

Broad cultural ideas about what is considered good or desirable.

Social Structure

The organization of society based on norms, values, and laws.

Society

A group of people living in a defined territory and participating in a common culture.

Socialization

The cultural process of learning to participate in group life, starting at birth and continuing throughout life.

Negative Effects of Isolation

Documented adverse impacts on individuals who experience social isolation.