CH 1 AICE Sociology Study Guide

August Comte

A philosopher known for establishing sociology and introducing the concept of positivism, which advocates studying the social world similarly to natural sciences.

Social Order

The behavioral patterns and regularities established by societies that enable social action.

Positivism

A methodology that suggests studying the social world in a manner akin to natural sciences, emphasizing empirical observation and value-freedom.

Karl Marx

A sociologist who argued that social order is maintained through conflict, focusing on the roles of the bourgeoisie and proletariat in society.

Bourgeoisie

The dominant group in society that owns the means of economic production, such as land and factories.

Proletariat

The working class that owns nothing but their labor power, which they exchange for money.

Deterministic

A perspective suggesting that individual behavior is largely shaped by broader social forces, with little room for personal choice.

Weberian Theory

A framework that examines the transition from pre-industrial to industrial societies, emphasizing the role of individual and group actions in social change.

Value Consensus

An agreement within a society about what is considered important, contributing to social cohesion.

Solidarity

A sense of mutual support and agreement among individuals within a group, which can be organic or mechanical.

Organic Solidarity

A type of social cohesion characteristic of industrial societies, where individuals are connected by their roles and functions.

Mechanical Solidarity

A type of social cohesion typical of pre-industrial societies, where individuals are connected by shared beliefs and values.

Postmodernism

A micro-sociological perspective that challenges the idea that the social world can be understood rationally, focusing on personal narratives and subjective interpretations.

Metanarratives

The overarching stories or frameworks that societies use to explain their understanding of the world, such as religion or science.

Interpretivism

A methodology that emphasizes understanding social behavior through subjective interpretation, contrasting with positivism.

Structural Functionalism

A sociological theory that views society as a complex system where various parts work together to maintain order and stability.

Functional Prerequisites

Essential conditions that must be met for a society to function effectively, according to functionalist theory.

Economic Determinism

The idea that economic relationships are the most significant in shaping societal structures and relationships.

Forces of Production

The means and relationships involved in the production of goods, including labor, raw materials, and technology.

Feminist Theory

A perspective that examines how male power structures oppress women through interpersonal and cultural means.

Liberal Feminism

A branch of feminism advocating for gender equality through democratic reforms and anti-discrimination efforts.

Marxist Feminism

A perspective that views capitalism as a source of women's oppression and advocates for communism as a solution.

Radical Feminism

A form of feminism that sees patriarchy as the root of female oppression and seeks to dismantle patriarchal structures.