Sociology unit 2

Functionalism

theory that believes society is like a well-oiled machine, the human body.

Conflict theory

Theory that believes the opressed will always be oppressed, even if they don't realize. Hard to overthrow oppressors.

Definition of a social institution

A human-devised structure of rules, norms, and organizations.

Purposes of social institutions

Shape social behavior and provide order.

Purpose of religion as a social institution

To group people.

Durkheim's view of religion

Believed that religion served as a crucial source of social cohesion by reuniting people through shared beliefs, interests, and rituals.

Marx's view of religion

Believed religion is a way of keeping things the way they are by calming the oppressed.

How/why cults manipulate religion

Indoctrinate their members.

Family as a social institution

Relationships where people live together with commitment, form an economic unit and care for any young, and consider their identity to be significantly attached to the group.

Primary functions of family

Care for young, serve the economy, grow relationships.

Definition of social stratification

Idea that when categorize people, you usually rank them.

Essentialism

Idea that human behavior is natural, not subject to change.

Categories of differences

Categories that people are sorted into in a society.

Matrix of domination

Different inequalities connect and affect each other; everyone's experience or oppression/privilege depends on all social identities combined.

Gender wage gap

Women get paid less than men- about 87 percent on average, but varies by age and race.

Difference between sex and gender

Sex is the biological distinction between male or female. Gender is the cultural, social, and psychological way someone identifies as a male, female, or nonbinary.

Gender as a spectrum

Concept that gender exists beyond a binary classification.

Definition of politics

The social institution through which power is acquired and exercised by some people and groups.

Definition of government

The formal organization that has the legal and political authority to regulate the people in the society.

Power Elite theory

Famous, wealthy, and powerful are the ones in charge of the government.

Pluralist Theory

Political power rests in the hands of the interest groups.

Sex

Sex is the biological distinction between male and female.

Gender

Gender is the social/cultural/physiological aspect of being a man, woman, or other gender identity.

Gender Expression

The way one expresses the gender they identify as.

Gender Identity

A sense of being a male or a female based on learned cultural values.

People who are transgender

People who express themselves as the opposite gender they were born with.

People who are cisgender

People who identify as the gender they were born as.

Heteronormativity

The belief that there are only 2 genders and they have specific roles.

Relationship between Privilege and Oppression

When society does disenfranchise vs. when it doesn’t

Intersectionality

Interaction between different aspects of our identities. When privilege and oppression are experienced at the same time because of identities.

Economy as a social institution

Purpose: Production, distribution, and consumption of goods.

Occupational Prestige

The way society views and ranks certain occupations.

Max Weber on economic stratification

Believes society is divided up based on wealth, power, and prestige.

Wealth

Someone's assets, less stable than power/prestige.

Power

Power to control the behavior of others (consent or none). Can be exercised in many ways.

Prestige

The collective respect, honor, and admiration of an individual given by society.

Karl Marx theory on class

5 classes: upper, upper middle, lower middle, working, and working poor.

Working poor

The poorest out of all three classes, lower pay and less desirable jobs.

Social mobility

The movement of individuals or groups between different positions within a society's social stratification system.

Cycle of poverty

It is very difficult to break the cycle of poverty because of the education you receive.

Education as a Social Institution

Provides knowledge, skills, values, and norms.

Credential society

Employers use education to determine job eligibility.

Conflict theory on education

Believes it is to maintain dominance.

Hidden curriculum

Unspoken messages that are communicated to students while at school.

Cultural capital

Ability to understand the culture you live in and go to school in.

Functionalist theory on education

Believes the institution of education teaches knowledge and skills, transmits cultural values, social integration, gatekeeping, childcare, and sexual education.

Social construction theory

Differences are created by society, not biology.

3 steps to social construction

Create, learn, reinforce

How are they influenced by social institutions?

Work has gender pay gaps; Families teach gender roles; the Media spreads stereotypes; and Laws can favor or harm groups.