Foundations of Sociology Unit Overview

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms and concepts introduced in the Foundations of Sociology unit, providing definitions and illustrations of their significance in sociological study.

Sociology

The scientific study of society and human behavior.

Sociological Perspective

A viewpoint that shapes how one understands and sees society and its issues.

Inconvenient Fact

Piece of evidence that contradicts what one has always believed or wants to believe about the social world.

Social Institution

A long-standing and formal aspect of society created to address human needs and has accepted and persistent norms, values, and roles.

Structural Functionalism

A paradigm that sees society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote stability and social order.

Conflict Theory

A paradigm that sees society as composed of different groups that struggle over scarce resources.

Symbolic Interactionism

A paradigm that focuses on everyday social interactions and the meanings individuals assign to these interactions.

Manifest Function

The intended and recognized consequences of a social structure.

Latent Function

The unintended and often unrecognized consequences of a social structure.

Dysfunction

Any disruption to the social system that disrupts stability.