Sociology Vocabulary

Flashcards covering key vocabulary from an introductory sociology lecture.

Sociology

The scientific study of social behavior and human groups, focusing on social relationships, their influence on behavior, and how societies develop and change.

Sociological Imagination

An awareness of the relationship between an individual and the wider society, both today and in the past, viewing society from an outsider’s perspective to understand broader public issues.

Science

The body of knowledge obtained by methods of systematic observation.

Natural Science

The study of the physical features of nature and their interactions and changes.

Social Science

The study of the social features of humans and their interactions and changes.

Theory

A set of statements that seeks to explain problems, actions, or behaviors and can be explanatory and predictive.

Anomie

The loss of direction felt in a society when social control of individual behavior has become ineffective, often occurring during profound social change.

Verstehen

German word for understanding or insight, emphasizing the importance of learning the subjective meanings people attach to their actions.

Ideal type

Model or construct for evaluating specific cases, used to comprehend behavior.

Double consciousness

Division of an individual’s identity into two or more social realities, used to describe the experience of Black people in the United States.

Macrosociology

Focuses on large-scale phenomena or entire civilizations.

Microsociology

Focuses on small groups.

Mesosociology

Studies formal organizations and social movements.

Global sociology

Makes comparisons among nations.

Cultural capital

Noneconomic goods that are reflected in knowledge of language and the arts.

Social capital

The collective benefit of social networks, which are built on reciprocal trust.

Functionalist perspective

Emphasizes how the parts of society are structured to maintain social stability.

Manifest functions

The open, stated, and conscious functions of institutions.

Latent functions

The unintended consequences of an institution, which may reflect hidden purposes.

Dysfunctions

Elements or processes of society that can disrupt the social system or reduce stability.

Conflict perspective

Assumes social behavior is best understood in terms of tension between groups over power or the allocation of resources.

Feminist perspective

Inequity in gender is central to all behavior and organization.

Intersectionality

The interlocking matrix of domination describing how multiple social factors determine privilege and lack of privilege.

Queer theory

The study of society from the perspective of a broad spectrum of sexual identities.

Interactionist perspective

Generalizes about everyday forms of social interaction to explain society as a whole, viewing humans as living in a world of meaningful objects and symbols.

Nonverbal communication

Gestures, facial expressions, and postures that express meaning.

Third place

A social setting in addition to the “first place” of home and the “second place” of work.

Applied sociology

The use of sociology with the specific intent of yielding practical applications for human behavior and organizations.

Clinical sociology

Dedicated to facilitating change by altering social relationships or restructuring social institutions.

Basic sociology

Seeks a more profound knowledge of the fundamental aspect of social phenomena.

Globalization

The worldwide integration of government policies, cultures, social movements, and financial markets through trade and the exchange of ideas.

Social inequality

The condition in which members of society have differing amounts of wealth, prestige, or power.

Influencer

A social media user who has established credibility in a specific industry, has access to a huge audience, and can persuade others to act based on their recommendations.