Comprehensive Sociology and Culture: Key Theories, Methods, and Concepts Study Guide | Quizlet

Sociology

The systematic study of society and social behavior, encompassing a range of topics from large-scale institutions to individual interactions.

August Comte

A key figure in sociology who introduced positivism, asserting that sense perceptions are the only valid sources of knowledge.

Herbert Spencer

Social Darwinism: the application of the theory of evolution and the notion of “survival of the fittest” to the study of society  

Structural Functionalism

A sociological perspective developed by Emile Durkheim that views society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote stability and order.

Conflict Theory

A theory proposed by Karl Marx asserting that society is characterized by social inequality and power struggles, emphasizing the role of conflict in social change.

Symbolic Interactionism

A sociological approach that focuses on the meanings created and interpreted through social interactions, suggesting that reality is socially constructed.

Postmodernism

A perspective arguing that social reality is diverse and fragmented, best understood through multiple narratives rather than a single overarching story.

Cultural Shock

A phenomenon experienced when individuals encounter a radically different social or cultural environment, leading to disorientation.

Microsociology

A level of sociological analysis that focuses on small group interactions and face-to-face encounters to understand societal patterns.

Macrosociology

A level of sociological analysis that examines large-scale social structures and their impact on individual lives.

Jane Addams

The founder of Hull House who advocated for labor reforms and public health improvements, emphasizing social activism.

W.E.B. Du Bois

A civil rights activist who co-founded the NAACP and promoted racial equality through scholarly work.

Harriet Martineau

A prominent social activist who translated Auguste Comte's work into English and advocated for social justice.

Anomie

A state of normlessness or loss of purpose resulting from weakened social ties.

Proletariat and Bourgeoisie

Terms defined in Marxist theory where the proletariat refers to the working class and the bourgeoisie refers to the owning class.

False Consciousness

A concept in Marxist conflict theory describing the denial of truth among the oppressed regarding their actual social conditions.

Quantitative Research

Research that translates social phenomena into numerical data to identify cause-and-effect relationships using statistical analysis.

Qualitative Research

Research that focuses on non-numerical data such as interviews and texts to understand how individuals interpret their social world.

Operational Definition

A precise definition of a variable that allows it to be measured effectively in a research study.

Thick Description

A detailed account of cultural practices that captures context and meanings from participant perspectives, a term coined by Clifford Geertz.

Ethnocentrism

The tendency to evaluate other cultures based on the standards of one's own culture, often leading to bias and misunderstanding.

Cultural Relativism

The practice of understanding a culture on its own terms, promoting respect and appreciation for cultural diversity.

Taboos

Strongly ingrained norms that evoke intense feelings of horror or disgust when violated, reflecting deep cultural values.

Hegemony

A concept by Antonio Gramsci describing how dominant cultural ideas are accepted by society to maintain social control.

Cultural Imperialism

The imposition of one culture's beliefs and practices on another, often occurring through media and consumer products rather than military force.