Sociology: Chapter 3 Vocabulary

socialization

the social processes through which we develop an awareness of social norms and values and achieve a distinct sense of self

social reproduction

the process whereby societies have structural continuity over time. social reproduction is an important pathway through which parents transmit or produce values, norms and social practices among their children.

resocialization

the process of learning new norms, values, and behaviors when one joins a new group or takes on a new social role or when one's life circumstances change dramatically

cognition

human thought processes involving perception, reasoning, and remembering

social self

according to the theory of George Herbert Mead, the identity conferred upon an individual by the reactions of others. A person achieves self-consciousness by becoming aware of this social identity.

self-consciousness

awareness of one's distinct social identity as a person separate from others. human beings are not born with self-consciousness but acquire an awareness of self as a result of early socialization.

generalized other

a concept in the theory of George Herbert Mead, according to which the individual takes over the general values of a given group or society during the socialization process.

looking-glass self

a theory developed by Charles Horton Cooley that proposes that the reactions we elicit in social situations create a mirror in which we see ourselves

sensorimotor stage

according to Jean Piaget, the first stage of human cognitive development, in which a child's awareness of his or her environment is dominated by perception and touch.

preoperational stage

according to Jean Piaget, the second stage of human cognitive development, in which a child has advanced sufficiently to master basic modes of logical thought

egocentric

according to Jean Piaget, the characteristic quality of a child during the early years of life. Egocentric thinking involves understanding objects and events in the environment solely in terms of the child's own position.

concrete operational stage

the stage of human cognitive development, as formulated by Jean Piaget, in which the child's thinking is based primarily on physical perception of the world.

formal operational stage

according to Jean Piaget, the stage of human cognitive development at which the growing child becomes capable of handling abstract concepts and hypothetical situations.

agents of socialization

groups or social contexts within which processes of socialization takes place

nuclear family

a family group consisting of an adult or adult couple and their dependent children

hidden curriculum

traits of behavior or attitudes that are learned at school but not included in the formal curriculum, for example, gender differences.

peer group

a friendship group composed of individuals of similar age and social status

social roles

socially defined expectations of an individual in a given status or occupying a particular social position. In every society, individuals play a number of social roles, such as teenager, parent, worker, or political leader.

social identity

the characteristics that other people attribute to an individual

self-identity

the ongoing process of self-development and definition of our personal identity through which we formulate a unique sense of ourselves and our relationship to the world around us.

gender socialization

the learning of gender roles through social factors such as schooling, the media, and family.

race socialization

the specific verbal and nonverbal messages that older generations transmit to younger generations regarding the meaning and significance of race

life course

the various transitions and stages people experience during their lives

aging

the combination of biological, psychological, and social processes that affect people as they grow older

social gerontologists

social scientists who study older adults and life course influences on aging processes

disengagement theory

a functionalist theory of aging that holds that it is functional for society to remove people from their traditional roles when they become elderly, thereby freeing up those roles for others.

activity theory

a functionalist theory of aging that maintains that busy, engaged people are more likely to lead fulfilling and productive lives.

continuity theory

theoretical perspective on aging that specifies that older adults fare best when they participate in activities consistent with their personalities, preferences, and activities from earlier in life.

social conflict theories of aging

arguments that emphasize the ways in which the larger social structure helps to shape the opportunities available to older adults. Unequal opportunities are seen as creating the potential for conflict.

life course theory

a perspective based on the assumptions that the aging process is shaped by historical time and place; individuals make choices that reflect both opportunities and constraints; aging is a lifelong process; and the relationships, events, and experiences of early life have consequences for later life

young old

sociological term for persons between ages 65-74

old old

sociological term for persons ages 75-84

oldest old

sociological term for persons age 85+

ageism

discrimination or prejudice against a person on the basis of age