Chapter 2

These flashcards cover key sociological concepts related to individuals and social structures, providing definitions and insights relevant for exam preparation.

Social Structures

Fundamental, deeply ingrained patterns that influence and determine individual and group behaviors within society.

Patriarchy

A social system where men hold primary power and dominate roles leading to the subordination of women.

Kinship

Patterns of social relations based on family ties, including blood relations, marriage, and obligations.

Economy

The system of production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services which impacts class relations and individual livelihoods.

Politics

The exercise of power and authority that regulates social order and distributes resources within a society.

Culture

The shared values, beliefs, norms, customs, and way of life that guide social interactions.

Sexuality

The social organization of sexual desire and identity shaped by societal expectations.

Racism

A system of prejudice and discrimination based on race that involves power dynamics favoring one racial group.

Sociological Imagination

The ability to understand the connection between individual experiences and broader social forces.

Core Problematic (Structure vs. Agency)

The tension between individual actions shaped by societal patterns and the capacity for individuals to act independently.

Conflict Theory

A perspective that views society as characterized by struggles over scarce resources, leading to conflict and change.

Cultural Hegemony

Dominance achieved through the acceptance of the dominant ideology as natural and beneficial.

Emotional Labor

The process of managing one's emotions to fulfill the emotional requirements of a job or social role.

Historical Materialism

The theory that societal development is driven by material conditions, particularly the mode of economic production.

Alienation

A consequence of capitalist systems where individuals feel disconnected from their work, themselves, and others.

Feminism

A movement and theoretical perspective that critiques social structures that systematically subordinate women to men.

Symbolic Interactionism

A micro-level perspective that suggests social reality is continually constructed through daily interactions.

Impression Management

The process by which people control how others perceive them through their social performances.

False Consciousness

The inability of individuals to recognize social issues as reflections of broader societal problems.

Back Stage

Private areas where individuals can relax their roles and prepare for future performances.

Front Stage

Public settings where individuals present a curated self to conform to social expectations.