Sociology Study Guide: Education, Political and Economic Systems

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering key sociological concepts, perspectives, and definitions from Chapter 14 (Education) and Chapter 15 (Political and Economic Systems).

Education

A major social institution responsible for transmitting knowledge, skills, norms, values, and cultural expectations from one generation to another, including academic subjects and behavioral expectations.

Hidden curriculum

Unofficial attitudes and values students learn through school routines and expectations.

Social control

The methods society uses to encourage conformity to norms and rules.

Tracking

Grouping or stratifying students according to ability, achievement, social class, or other categories.

Credentialized society

A society in which increasing numbers of jobs require educational degrees or credentials.

Unequal access to education

Differences in people's ability to obtain the same quality of educational opportunities.

Functionalist Perspective on Education

The view that education supports societal function by teaching shared values, skills, and preparing individuals for work.

Conflict Perspective on Education

The view that education reinforces social inequality, as the wealthy gain better access and maintain their advantages.

Symbolic Interactionist Perspective on Education

The view that focuses on daily school interactions where labels and expectations influence students' self-perception.

Politics

The process by which power is distributed and decisions are made.

Power

The ability to carry out one person's or group's will, even in the presence of resistance or opposition from others.

Authority

Power that is regarded as legitimate by those over whom it is exercised, who also accept the authority's legitimacy in imposing sanctions or even using force if necessary.

Legal-rational authority

Authority derived from the understanding that specific individuals have clearly defined rights and duties to uphold and implement rules and procedures impersonally.

Traditional authority

Authority rooted in the assumption that the customs of the past legitimate the present, that things are as they always have been and basically should remain that way.

Charismatic authority

Authority that derives from a ruler's ability to inspire passion and devotion among followers.

The state

The institutionalized way of organizing power within territorial limits.

Functions of the state

Establishing laws and norms, providing social control, ensuring economic stability, setting goals, and protecting against outside threats.

Autocracy

A form of government where power is concentrated in one ruler or a small ruling group, and political opposition is restricted.

Totalitarianism

A form of government where the government attempts extensive control over political, social, and private life.

Democracy

A form of government where political authority comes from the people, directly or through elected representatives.

Functionalist perspective on the state

The perspective that the state is necessary to maintain order, coordinate activities, protect people, and keep society functioning.

Conflict theory perspective on the state

The perspective that the state can reflect inequalities in power and protect the interests of dominant economic and social groups.

Republic

A system in which the country is considered a public matter and political authority is exercised through representatives or institutions established by law, with leaders selected through elections or other constitutional processes.

Oligarchy

A system in which political power is concentrated among a relatively small group of people who may gain influence through wealth, social status, military power, family connections, or control of important institutions.

Capitalism

An economic system based on private ownership of the means of production and in which resource allocation depends largely on market forces.

Socialism

An economic system in which the sources of production—including factories, raw materials, and transportation and communication systems—are collectively owned.