Sociology - Module 2: Culture and Socialization

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms and concepts related to culture and socialization in sociology, as discussed in the lecture notes.

Culture

A collection of learned ideas, practices, symbols, customs, and material objects that transcends geographic boundaries.

Ethnocentrism

The belief that one's own culture is superior to others and negatively judging other cultures based on that belief.

Multiculturalism

The coexistence of diverse cultures in a society, where cultures maintain their unique practices.

Cultural Relativism

Understanding a culture on its own terms without making judgments about its practices.

Status

A social position that an individual occupies in a social structure.

High Culture

Cultural practices and goods that are associated with a society's elite.

Popular Culture

Cultural practices and goods that are widely shared and associated with a society's majority.

Consumerism

The focus on purchasing goods and services as a means to express identity.

Socialization

The process by which individuals learn and internalize the norms and behaviors of their culture.

Primary Socialization

The early stages of socialization that occur within the family.

Secondary Socialization

Socialization that occurs outside the family, such as in schools and peer groups.

Social Scripts

Cultural guidelines that dictate behavior and interactions in social contexts.

Sanction

A reaction to a behavior intended to reinforce norms, which can be positive or negative.

Mass Media

Forms of communication that can influence socialization and identity formation.

Total Institutions

Organizations that regulate all aspects of a person's life and isolate them from wider society.

Social Interaction

The ways in which people communicate and act in response to each other.

Collective Behavior

The actions and behaviors of individuals in groups, particularly in informal or emergency situations.

Formal Organization

A secondary group designed to achieve explicit objectives, structured with defined roles and policies.

Social Networks

A web of social relationships linking individuals to others, facilitating resource and information exchange.

Social Capital

The resources available to individuals through their networks, including support and information.

Bureaucracy

A formal organization characterized by a hierarchical structure and rules for efficiency.

Institution

Established patterns of behavior or norms within a society that endure over time.

Consumer Culture

A societal trend where identity and social status are influenced by consumption patterns.

Agency

The capacity of individuals to act independently and make their own choices.

Interaction

The manner in which individuals communicate and respond to one another in social settings.

Norms

Rules and expectations that guide behavior in a society or culture.

Folkways

Informal norms or everyday customs that may be violated without serious consequences.

Mores

Norms that are widely observed and carry moral significance, violation results in serious consequences.

Taboos

Strong prohibitions against certain actions, the violation of which results in severe social backlash.

Risky Behaviors

Actions that can lead to negative consequences, particularly in peer contexts.

Cognitive Development

The process by which individuals learn and develop intellectual capabilities.

Identity

The concept of self as shaped by social circumstances, cultural influences, and personal experiences.

Impression Management

The process of controlling how one is perceived by others, presenting oneself positively.

Symbolic Interactionism

A sociological perspective that emphasizes the importance of symbols and language in social interactions.

Omnivorousness

The tendency to engage with a wide range of cultural practices when consuming culture.

Status Inconsistency

When an individual's social status is perceived as being misaligned with their other statuses.

Desensitization

The diminished emotional responsiveness to a negative or aversive stimulus after repeated exposure.

Anticipatory Socialization

The process of adopting norms and behaviors in preparation for future roles.

Resocialization

The process of discarding former behavior patterns and accepting new ones during a transition.

Self-Socialization

The process of individual shaping their own social development.

Structuralism

A theoretical perspective emphasizing that social structures impact individual behavior.

Fluid Identity

The concept that identity is not fixed but can change based on various contexts and experiences.