Studied by 7 people
Social Structures
The organized pattern of social relationships and social institutions that together compose society.
Social Stratification
A system by which society ranks categories of people in a hierarchy.
Class Stratification
Based on economic position in society.
Caste System
Hereditary systems of rank, usually religiously dictated, are common in India but also found in other societies in different forms.
Gender Stratification
Differences in power, status, and access to resources based on gender.
Ethnic and Racial Stratification
Hierarchies based on ethnic and racial identities.
Age Stratification
Ranking based on age.
Functionalist Perspective
Social stratification is necessary to fill all societal positions (Davis and Moore).
Conflict Perspective
Stratification results from the struggle for scarce resources (Marx, with contributions from Pierre Bourdieu on cultural capital).
Weberian Perspective
Stratification is multidimensional and includes class, status, and power.
The Three Dimensions of the Weberian Perspective are…
Class (economic position), Status (social honor or prestige), and Power (ability to influence others).
Social Processes
The patterns of growth and change in society over the years.
Socialization
The process by which individuals learn and adopt the norms, values, and behaviors appropriate for their society.
Primary Socialization
Occurs within the family, where basic norms and values are learned.
Secondary Socialization
Occurs in schools, peer groups, and media, where individuals learn the behaviors and norms appropriate to their society.
Agents of Socialization
Family
Role Allocation
The process of assigning individuals to different roles based on abilities and training.
Role Conflict
When an individual faces competing demands from different roles they occupy.
Norms
Rules and expectations by which a society guides the behavior of its members.
Values
Beliefs about what is important, desirable, and worthwhile.
Culture
The shared beliefs, behaviors, and material objects that constitute a people’s way of life.
Components
Symbols, language, values, norms, and material culture.
Subculture
A cultural group within a larger culture, often having beliefs or interests at variance with those of the larger culture.
Counterculture
A culture with values and norms that run counter to those of the social mainstream.
Identity
How individuals see themselves and how others perceive them.
Types of Identity
Personal identity (self-concept), Social identity (group membership).
Ascribed Status
Social position a person is born into (e.g., race, gender).
Achieved Status
Social position a person attains through their actions (e.g., career, education).
Social Issues
Problems that affect many people within a society.
Inequality
Disparities in wealth, income, and status.
Class Inequality
Economic disparities between different classes.
Gender Inequality
Differences in status, power, and opportunities between men and women.
Racial and Ethnic Inequality
Discrimination and disparities based on race and ethnicity.
Age Inequality
Differences in treatment and opportunities based on age.
Poverty
Lack of basic resources to maintain a standard of living.
Absolute Poverty
Inability to meet basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter.
Relative Poverty
Being poor relative to the wealth and income of others in society.
Poverty Line
The minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country.
Causes
Unemployment, lack of education, systemic inequalities.
Consequences
Poor health, lack of access to education, social exclusion.
Crime and Deviance
Behavior that violates norms or laws.
White-collar
Financial crimes committed by high-status individuals (e.g., embezzlement).
Blue-collar
Physical crimes, typically by lower-status individuals (e.g., burglary).
Corporate
Crimes committed by companies or their representatives (e.g., fraud).
Cybercrime
Crimes conducted via the internet (e.g., hacking).
Functionalist Perspective (Durkheim)
Crime is a normal part of society and can reinforce social norms.
Strain Theory (Merton)
Crime occurs when there is a discrepancy between societal goals and the means available to achieve them.
Interactionist Perspective
Crime is learned through interactions with others.
Labeling Theory
Individuals become deviant when a deviant label is applied to them.
Conflict Theory
Crime results from social inequality and power differentials.
Education
Access to quality education, impacts on life chances.
Health
Access to healthcare, health disparities based on social factors.
Traditional Power
Based on customs and traditions.
Charismatic Power
Based on the personal qualities of a leader.
Legal-Rational Power
Based on established laws and procedures.
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