Social Studies Chapter 1

Define sociology

The study of society and key issues such as the distribution of power between social groups

State two functions of a sociologists

• attempts to understand how society works

• attempts to explain why people do what they do in the manner that they do them

What is meant by developing a sociological imagination

Developing a new way of thinking

Who coined the term sociology?

Auguste Comte 1838

Define the term culture

Culture refers to the ways of life of members of a society

List the 5 components of culture

• Material Culture

• Symbols

• Language

• Values

• Norms

Explain the term status and give one example

Status is the social position a person can occupy within a society

Example: Race

Explain the difference betweene ascribed and achieved status

ascribed status - cannot be changed 

achieved status - can be obtained with individual effort

Explain the term social role

helps organise and regulate behaviour

Explain what is meant by role conflict, give one example

The incompatibility of twon roles assigned to an indiviual. Example: doctor treating family member

There are social groups in society .Explain in your own words two types of social groups

Primary: Relationships with the people closest to us

Example: Family members

Secondary: Based on our statuses and the roles associated with them.

Example: Teachers and students

What is social stratification?

A system which society ranks categories of people in a hierarchy

Explain the forms of social control

Formal: legal repurcussions

Informal: disapproving looks