Sociology Test 3 Study Guide Flashcards

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering the core theories, economic systems, political models, and social institutions discussed in the Sociology Test 3 study guide.

Structural Functionalism

A theory suggesting society works like a machine where every part has a job that keeps society stable, focusing on order and stability.

Social Conflict Theory

A theory viewing society as a system of inequality where groups compete for power and resources.

Symbolic Interactionism

A theory looking at everyday interactions and the meanings people give things, focusing on small groups and symbols.

Capitalism

An economic system where private individuals own businesses, characterized by competition, profit motive, and a free market.

Socialism

An economic system where the government owns or controls major industries, emphasizing cooperation, equality, and government planning.

Economic Conservatives

People who believe in less government, lower taxes, the free market, and fewer business regulations.

Economic Liberals

People who believe the government should help people through social programs, higher taxes on the wealthy, and more business regulations.

Democracy

A political system where people vote and power comes from the citizens.

Monarchy

A political system ruled by a King or Queen, which can be constitutional (e.g., United Kingdom) or absolute (e.g., Saudi Arabia).

Authoritarianism

A political system where one ruler has most of the power and citizens have few freedoms.

Totalitarianism

A political system where the government controls nearly everything, including speech, media, religion, the economy, and daily life.

Power

The ability to make people do something, which can include the use of force.

Authority

Power that people believe is legitimate and which people willingly obey.

Traditional Authority

Authority based on customs, such as a King or Queen.

Rational-Legal Authority

Authority based on laws, such as a President, police officer, or judge.

Charismatic Authority

Authority based on personality, such as Martin Luther King Jr.

Pluralist Model

A model of political power where many groups share power and no single group controls everything.

Power Elite (C. Wright Mills)

A model stating that a small wealthy elite consisting of business leaders, military, and government leaders controls politics.

Marxist Model

A model of political power stating that a rich ruling class controls government to protect capitalism.

Terrorism

An act by organized groups characterized by political goals, violence, targeting civilians, and creating fear.

Endogamy

Marrying inside your own group, such as having the same religion, race, or culture.

Exogamy

Marrying outside your group, such as people of a different religion, race, or culture.

Monotheism

A category of religion involving belief in one god, such as Christianity, Islam, and Judaism.

Polytheism

A category of religion involving belief in many gods, such as Hinduism.

Animism

The belief that there are spirits in nature, found in many tribal religions.

Marx's View on Religion

Religion is the 'Opium of the people' because it comforts people but also helps keep inequality in place.

Weber's View on Calvinism

Calvinists believed hard work showed signs of being saved, which encouraged saving money and investing, helping capitalism grow.

Secularization

The process by which religion becomes less important over time, seen in lower church attendance and less religious influence in politics.

Gesellschaft

Tonnies' term for modern society becoming more impersonal, more individual, and less close.

Organic solidarity

Durkheim's term for modern society where increased specialization makes people more dependent on one another.

Modernization (Berger)

Characterized by four themes: urbanization, industrialization, bureaucracy, and individualism.

Postmodernism

A perspective featuring five themes: no single truth, reality depends on perspective, media shapes society, technology changes identity, and old traditions lose influence.