Sociology Exam

Global Divide

Refers to the significant inequality between different regions and countries, leading to coping mechanisms such as consuming soil or boiling stones to combat hunger.

Colonialism

The maintenance of political, social, economic, and cultural dominance over a people by a foreign power for an extended period, often perpetuating values of racial superiority.

Neo-colonialism

The continuing dependence of former colonies on more industrialized foreign countries, including their former colonial masters.

World systems analysis

A view of the global economic system as divided between certain industrialized nations that control wealth and developing countries that are controlled and exploited.

Dependency theory

An approach that contends that industrialized nations continue to exploit developing countries for their own gain, leading to the redistribution of resources from developing countries to core industrialized nations.

Modernization theory

A functionalist approach that proposes that modernization and development will gradually improve the lives of people in developing nations.

Multinational corporation

A commercial organization that is headquartered in one country but does business throughout the world.

Gross national product (GNP)

The value of a nation's goods and services.

Minority group

A subordinate group whose members have significantly less control or power over their own lives than the members of a dominant or majority group.

Racial group

A group that is set apart and treated differently from others because of perceived physical attributes.

Ethnic group

A group that is set apart from others because of its national origin or distinctive cultural patterns.

Prejudice

A negative attitude toward an entire category of people, such as a racial or ethnic minority.

Discrimination

The process of denying opportunities and equal rights to individuals and groups because of prejudice or for other arbitrary reasons.

Glass ceiling

An invisible barrier that blocks the promotion of a qualified individual in a work environment because of the individual's gender, race, or ethnicity.

Institutional discrimination

The denial of opportunities and equal rights to individuals and groups that results from the normal operations of a society.

Racial or ethnic profiling

The use of race as a consideration in suspect profiling in law enforcement and national security practices.

Assimilation

The process by which a person forsakes their own cultural tradition to become part of a different culture.

Segregation

The act of physically separating two groups, often imposed on a minority group by a dominant group.

Apartheid

The former policy of the South African government designed to maintain the separation of blacks and other non-whites from the dominant whites.

Contact hypothesis

An interactionist perspective that states that interracial contact between people of equal status in cooperative circumstances will reduce prejudice.

Assimilation

The process in which minority groups adopt the cultural norms and values of the dominant group.

Segregation

The separation of different racial or ethnic groups, often enforced by laws or social norms.

Multiculturalism

The ideal pattern of intergroup relations in which different cultural groups coexist and maintain their distinct identities.

Indigenous Peoples

The original inhabitants of a particular region or country, often marginalized and oppressed by colonial powers.

Asian

A socially constructed category that groups together various ethnic groups from Asia, often obscuring their differences.

Stereotyping

The process of assigning certain characteristics or traits to a particular group based on preconceived notions or generalizations.

Porter's "vertical mosaic"

A concept that describes the hierarchical structure of Canadian society based on ethnicity and race.

Gender

A socially constructed identity as a man or a woman.

Gender-role socialization

The process through which individuals learn and internalize the behaviors and expectations associated with their gender.

Homophobia

A fear of and prejudice against homosexuality.

Cross-cultural perspective

The study of gender roles and behaviors across different cultures to understand the influence of culture and socialization.

Functionalist perspective

A theoretical approach that views gender differentiation as contributing to overall social stability.

Conflict perspective

A theoretical approach that emphasizes the unequal power dynamics and ownership of resources between males and females.

Feminist perspective

A diverse set of perspectives that focus on the subordination and inequality experienced by women in male-dominated societies.

Matrix of domination

The cumulative impact of oppression based on multiple intersecting factors such as race, gender, class, and more.

Double jeopardy

Discrimination experienced by women as a result of the compounded effects of gender and race or ethnicity.

Mass media

Various forms of communication that reach a large audience, such as television, radio, newspapers, and the internet.

Agent of socialization

The role of the media in shaping and influencing individuals' beliefs, values, and behaviors.

Gatekeeping

The process by which a small number of people in the media industry control what content reaches the audience.

Media conglomerates

Large corporations that own and control multiple media outlets, raising concerns about independence and diversity of content.

Internet

A significant exception to media centralization, allowing individuals to produce and share their own media content.

Social control

Techniques and strategies used to prevent deviant behavior in society.

Conformity

Going along with the norms and expectations of a group or society.

Obedience

Compliance with higher authorities in a hierarchical structure.

Deviance

Behavior that violates the standards or expectations of a group or society.

Labeling theory

An approach to deviance that focuses on how certain individuals or groups are labeled as deviant by society.

Cultural transmission

The theory that criminal behavior is learned through social interactions and exposure to favorable attitudes towards criminal acts.

Routine activities theory

The idea that criminal victimization increases when motivated offenders and suitable targets converge.

Societal-reaction approach

Another term for labeling theory, emphasizing the role of societal response in defining deviant behavior.

Social constructionist perspective

An approach to deviance that emphasizes the role of culture in creating deviant identities.

Functionalist perspective

A theoretical approach that focuses on how deviance serves a function in maintaining social order.

Interactionist perspective

A theoretical approach that emphasizes the role of social interactions and meanings in understanding deviance.

Conflict perspective

A theoretical approach that highlights the power dynamics and social inequalities that contribute to deviance.

Feminist perspective

A perspective that examines the role of gender in deviance, focusing on women as both victims and perpetrators.