Introduction to Sociology and Social Sciences

Vocabulary flashcards generated from lecture notes covering sociology, social science fields, sociological perspectives, and key concepts.

Sociology

A social science that looks at human society from a sociological perspective, allowing sociologists to see beyond common beliefs to the hidden meanings behind human actions and to study human social behavior from a group perspective.

Social Sciences

Disciplines that study human social behavior or institutions and the functions of human society in a scientific manner, including sociology, anthropology, psychology, economics, political science, and sometimes history.

Economics

The study of the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services, which analyzes the choices people make in an effort to satisfy their needs and wants.

Political Science

The study of the organization and operation of governments and its impact on people's lives.

History

The study of past events in human society.

Sociological Imagination

The ability to understand how a person's private life and experiences are connected to larger social and historical forces or world issues, such as connecting individual unemployment to broader economic conditions.

Sociological Perspective

Looking at society scientifically and from different points of view to recognize patterns in human behavior, understand social factor influences (like friends, family, gender, race, and education), and balance individual desires with society's expectations.

Social Interaction

How people relate to one another and influence each other.

Social Phenomena

Observable facts or events that involve human society.

Anthropology

The comparative study of past and present cultures, noted as the social science discipline most similar in subject matter to sociology.

Psychology

The study of behavior and mental processes.

Social Psychology

The study of how the social environment affects individual personality and behavior, utilizing approaches similar to sociology.

C. Wright Mills

The sociologist who stated that individuals should understand both biography and history, defining this connection as social imagination.

Crime Trends ($2006$ FBI)

Data indicating around 25.\text{̢}\text{ USA} citizens were victims of crime in $2006$, with $1$ violent crime every $22\,\text{seconds}$, a property crime every $3\,\text{seconds}$, and a murder every $31\,\text{minutes}$.

Thinking Like a Sociologist

Recognizing that people are shaped by values, beliefs, lifestyles, experiences, technology, and historical events to better comprehend how society influences individuals.

Impact of the Internet

A social dynamic with positive effects (more communication through technology and increased international awareness of world events) and negative effects (more isolation and less interaction with friends and family).