SOCIAL CLASS AND SOCIALIZATION REVIEW

Flashcards for review based on key concepts in sociology, covering social class, socialization, culture, and political behavior.

Social Stratification

A system by which a society ranks categories of people in a hierarchy based on various principles.

Social Mobility

A change in position in the social hierarchy, which can be upward or downward.

Closed System

A social stratification system that allows very minimal change in social position, such as the caste system.

Open System

A social stratification system that permits more social mobility, such as a class system.

Caste System

A system of social stratification based on ascription or birth, determining one's entire future.

Class System

A system of stratification based on both birth and individual achievement.

Meritocracy

A social stratification system based purely on individual merit, which has never existed in practice.

Cultural Capital

The non-financial social assets that promote social mobility beyond economic means.

Mass Media

Means of transmitting information from a single source to a vast audience, influencing culture and social norms.

Resocialization

The process of radically changing an inmate's personality by carefully controlling their environment.

Total Institution

A setting in which people are isolated from the rest of society and manipulated by administrative staff for the purpose of resocialization.

Dramaturgy

A sociological perspective that likens social interactions to theatrical performances, focusing on how individuals present themselves.

Charismatic Authority

Power legitimized by extraordinary personal abilities that inspire devotion from followers.

Traditionally Authority

Power legitimized by respect for long-established cultural patterns.

Political Behavior

The ways in which governmental power is exercised and legitimized within and among individuals.

Values

Culturally defined standards that people use to decide what is desirable, good, and beautiful.

Mores

Norms that are widely observed and have great moral significance, including taboos.

Folkways

Norms for routine or casual interaction within a culture.

Symbols

Anything that carries a specific meaning recognized by people who share a culture.