Society and Culture: Social Structures

These flashcards cover key sociological concepts related to social structures, theories of society, and the dynamics of community and institutions.

Macrosociology

A large-scale perspective in sociology that focuses on broad societal phenomena and structures affecting large portions of the population.

Microsociology

The study of small-scale, face-to-face interactions and individual behaviors within societal contexts.

Functionalism

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

Conflict Theory

A sociological framework that emphasizes the struggle for power among various groups in society, highlighting inequalities.

Symbolic Interactionism

A micro-level theory focusing on the meanings individuals ascribe to social objects and interactions.

Social Institutions

Structures and mechanisms of social order governing the behavior of individuals within a community.

Education

An institution that transmits knowledge and social norms, influencing social dynamics and individual development.

Family (social institution)

A social unit made up of individuals related by blood, marriage, or adoption, influencing behavior and socialization.

Religiosity

The degree of religious belief or practice by an individual, which can impact various aspects of personal and social life.

Healthcare Inequality

Disparities in access to and quality of healthcare among different social groups, often linked to socioeconomic status.

Demographic Transition Model

A theoretical model that describes the transition from high birth and death rates to low birth and death rates as a country develops economically.

Globalization

The process of interaction and integration among people, companies, and governments worldwide, driven by international trade and investment.

Urbanization

The movement of populations from rural areas to cities, often resulting in growth and changes in city dynamics.

Social Constructionism

The theory that social phenomena develop in social contexts through interactions, emphasizing that perceptions and knowledge are shaped by societal forces.

Dependency Theory

A theory asserting that resources flow from poor nations to wealthy nations, perpetuating economic dependency and inequality.

Rational Choice Theory

A theory that posits individuals act based on the rational calculation of maximizing benefits and minimizing costs.

Exurbs

Areas located beyond the suburbs, often affluent, where people live and commute to urban centers.

Life Course Theory

A sociological perspective that examines individual aging as a social, psychological, and biological process throughout one's life.

Social Movements

Collective actions aimed at promoting or resisting change in society, often organized around specific social goals.

Hidden Curriculum

The unintended, informal lessons, values, and perspectives that students learn in school beyond the official academic syllabus.

Sick Role

A functionalist concept describing the rights and responsibilities of an individual who is ill, including their exemption from normal social roles and the obligation to seek help.

Medicalization

The process by which human conditions and social behaviors come to be defined and treated as medical conditions or diseases.

Social Exchange Theory

An extension of rational choice theory suggesting social behavior is the result of an exchange process intended to maximize benefits and minimize costs: (Rewards - Costs = Outcomes).

Gentrification

The process of urban renewal where higher-income individuals move into lower-income neighborhoods, leading to displacement and rising property values.

Looking-glass Self

A sociological concept by Charles Cooley stating that an individual's sense of self is based on their perception of how others see them.

Malthusian Theory

The theory that population grows geometrically (2, 4, 8, 16…) while food supply grows arithmetically (1, 2, 3, 4…), leading to inevitable shortage.

Cultural Capital

Non-financial social assets, such as education, intellect, and style of speech, that promote social mobility beyond economic means.

Social Facts

Values, cultural norms, and social structures that are external to the individual and exercise social control, as defined by Émile Durkheim.

Feminist Theory

A perspective derived from conflict theory that examines gender-based inequalities and the patriarchal structures that maintain them.