Key Concepts in Social Stratification and Group Dynamics

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to social stratification and group dynamics.

Social Stratification

Structured inequality between groups based on economics, gender, race, religion, age, or power.

Obedience of Authority

The tendency to follow the orders of someone with power, even when they conflict with personal values.

Norms

The rules or expectations for how people should behave in society.

Structural-Functional Theory

A perspective that views society as a system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stability.

Social Conflict Theory

A view of society as a structure full of inequality that generates conflict and motivates change.

Symbolic Interaction

A perspective that sees society as the product of everyday interaction among individuals.

Social Loafing

The tendency for people to do less work when in a group setting.

Groupthink

Occurs when the desire for harmony or conformity in a group results in dysfunctional decision-making.

Group Polarization

The phenomenon in which a group's prevailing attitudes become stronger in the presence of others.

Bystander Effect

The tendency for a bystander to be less likely to help a victim if there are more people present.

Peripheral Route of Persuasion

A method of persuasion where the listener focuses on the speaker's tone and excitement rather than the content.