Introduction to Sociology - Fall 2025 Exam Prep

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts from the sociology lecture related to racism, gender, economic stratification, health, and safety.

Stereotype

An oversimplified belief about a group that gets applied to an individual.

Prejudice

A negative attitude or belief about a group prior to direct experience.

Discrimination

Unequal treatment or action based on group membership.

Racialization

The process of assigning racial meaning to groups or practices that were not previously defined by race.

Racism

Beliefs or systems that produce hierarchies or unequal outcomes based on race.

White privilege

Unearned advantages that benefit white people in racialized societies.

Institutional racism

Systemic practices that generate racial inequalities even without individual intent.

Scientific racism

Using pseudoscience to justify hierarchical racial categories.

Microaggression

Subtle, everyday slights that reinforce racial hierarchies.

Disparate impact

When a neutral rule disproportionately harms a group.

Sex

Biological and physiological characteristics.

Intersex

Biological variations in sex characteristics.

Gender norms

Social rules about appropriate behavior for genders.

Gender identity

One's deeply held sense of their own gender.

Gender expression

Outward presentation through behavior, clothing, and style.

Dominant gender schema

The cultural framework that organizes gender expectations.

Masculinity norms

Socially constructed sets of traits associated with being male.

Hegemonic masculinity

The culturally idealized form of masculinity that legitimizes male dominance.

Sexual orientation

Patterns of romantic and sexual attraction.

Weber's framework

Includes status and power, not just economic position.

Equality of condition

Ensuring similar starting points, not just access.

Relative poverty

Comparing individuals to societal standards, not survival thresholds.

Davis-Moore thesis

Argues that stratification motivates people to fill important roles.

Social disorganization theory

Utilizes weak social networks create conditions for crime.

Broken Windows theory

Suggests signs of disorder invite further deviance.

Control theory

Argues strong social bonds discourage deviance.

Moral entrepreneur

Seeks to define or enforce new moral rules.

Labelling theory

Argues identities form through societal reactions.

Strain theory

Blocked legitimate paths increase deviant choices.

Critical race theories

Highlight how criminal justice systems reproduce racial hierarchy.

Racial profiling cycle

Reinforces itself through biased policing and biased data.