Sociology Exam 4

Ball State Soc 100 Dr. Gong

Sex

A determination made through the application of socially agreed upon biological criteria for classifying people as females or males.

Intersexed

People born with ambiguous genitals (hormone imbalance).

Sex

A determination made through the application of socially agreed upon biological criteria for classifying people as females or males.

Intersexed

People born with ambiguous genitals (hormone imbalance).

Gender

Societal ideas about femininity and masculinity. The socially constructed differences between men and woman. How people present themselves as men and women.

Masculinity & Femininity

___________ refers to characteristics typically associated with woman and girls, whereas ___________ refers to those attributes that are generally applied to men and boys.

Transgender

People whose gender does not correspond to their birth sex.

Sex Role Theory (1951)

Men and women perform traditional sex roles (women have domestic roles, while men have breadwinner roles). Traditional nuclear family is the ideal arrangement in modern societies. Gender inequalities are functional and useful.

Patriarchy

A nearly universal system involving the subordination of femininity (women) to masculinity (men).

Feminism (the theory)

A theoretical perspective that focuses on how society is stratified by gender and how gender shapes persons’ social experiences.

Feminism (the movements)

A range of social movements (with several waves) to address gender-based inequalities in society.

Conflict Theory

Patriarchal capitalists benefit through systems that subordinate women (the role of power is essential in gender relations). The gender stratification system creates and reinforces gender differences.

Gender Stratification

Unequal distribution of wealth, power, and privilege among different genders.

Sexism

The belief that one sex is innately superior to the other.

Gender Discrimination

Harmful or negative acts against people based on their gender.

Glass Ceiling

Social barrier that makes it difficult for a minority group (race, class, and gender) to rise to the top level of management.

Social institutions

Entities of society with their own social norms and practices.

Family

Socially recognized groups of individuals who may be joined by blood, marriage, or adoption and who form an emotional connection and an economic unit of society.

Monogamy

The practice of marrying (or being in a relationship with) one person at a time.

Polygamy

A system of marriage that allows people to have more than one spouse at a time.

Nuclear family

A family consisting of a father and mother and their biological children.

Traditional nuclear family

A nuclear family with traditional division of labor (father is the breadwinner, and the mother is housewife).

Extended family

Individuals related through biological or legal connections (such as aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents) who typically (within US culture) do not live with each other.

Blended family

Families with stepparents, stepsiblings or half-siblings.

Chore Wars

Many women today have two jobs, paid labor outside of the home, and unpaid labor inside the home.

Second shift of women

Unpaid labor inside the home that is often expected of women after they get home from working at paid labor outside the home.

Feminist movements (gender revolution)

Romantic love is the basis of marriage, individualism on the rise, divorce is socially acceptable, use of contraceptives, and women are less dependent on men.

Education

The process through which academic, social, and cultural ideas and tools are developed.

Human capital

Knowledge and skills that make someone more productive and bankable.

Cultural capital

Social-class related symbolic and interactional resources that people use to their advantage in various situations.

Social capital

Resources and opportunities that individuals have access to as a result of the social networks in which they are embedded.

Tracking

A process of sorting students on different educational paths based on perceived ability and interests. Often relies on standardized testing, like the SAT.

Criticisms of standardized testing

Measures limited ranges of ability, often designed by middle class white males, and include cultural and gender biases.

Manifest functions (Education)

Socialize students and transmit culture, teach general skills, create social cohesion, and sort students.

Latent functions (Education)

Creates a separate youth culture, custodial and surveillance system for children, “marriage market”, and keeps students out of the job market.

Reproduces Inequality

Schools vary in quality & resources and families vary in access to resources. Also includes social compositions (student body and teacher quality).

Teacher expectancy effect

What the teacher expects students to do affects what they will do.

Self-fulfilling prophecy

When teachers/students live up or down to our pre-existing expectations.

Stereotype threat

Negative stereotypes have negative impacts on the school performance of disadvantaged groups.

Health

A state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

Determinants of Health

Genetics, behavioral (most influence on health usually), environmental exposure, social circumstances, and health care.

Social Class (SES)

People with higher SES or social class enjoy better physical and mental health.

Social Relationships

The quantity and quality of one’s social relationships and social networks matter for one’s health, social support leads to better physical and mental health.

Lifestyle factors

Include cigarettes, alcohol, drugs, diet, physical activity, and social isolation. Is closely related to your SES or social class.