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Sociology

The scientific study of social behavior in human groups.

Sociological Imagination

Awareness of the relationship between an individual and the wider society.

C. Wright Mills

Sociologist who developed the idea of the sociological imagination and connected personal experiences to larger society.

Sociological Perspective

Looking at society in different ways to recognize broader social patterns in individual behavior.

Agency

The ability of individuals to make choices and act.

Structure

Social forces and patterns that influence or limit individual actions.

Social Science

The scientific study of humans, society, and social relationships.

Theory

A set of statements that attempts to explain problems, actions, or behavior.

Industrial Revolution

Period of major social and economic change involving factories, cities, and movement from farming to wage labor.

Auguste Comte

French thinker known as the father of sociology who coined the term sociology.

Positivism

Comte's belief that society should be studied through systematic scientific observation.

Émile Durkheim

Sociologist who emphasized social order, social integration, and the influence of society on individuals.

Anomie

Loss of direction that occurs when society's social controls become weak.

Social Integration

The degree to which people are connected to groups and society.

Karl Marx

Thinker who argued that society is strongly shaped by conflict between social classes.

Class Conflict

Struggle between social classes with competing interests.

Max Weber

Sociologist who focused on understanding the meanings people attach to their actions.

Verstehen

Understanding behavior from the viewpoint of the person performing it.

Ideal Type

A model used to evaluate and compare real examples.

W.E.B. Du Bois

Sociologist who studied racial inequality and introduced the concept of double consciousness.

Double Consciousness

Experiencing yourself through multiple social identities or perspectives.

Functionalist Perspective

View that society's connected parts work together to maintain stability.

Manifest Function

An intended and recognized consequence of an aspect of society.

Latent Function

An unintended or unrecognized consequence of an aspect of society.

Dysfunction

A social element or process that disrupts stability.

Conflict Perspective

View that society is shaped by conflict between groups competing for power and resources.

Feminist Perspective

Perspective that focuses on gender inequality and its effects on society.

Interactionist Perspective

Perspective that examines everyday interactions and the meanings people give to them.

Macro Level

Study of society, large groups, and large-scale social patterns.

Micro Level

Study of individuals and small-group interactions.

Quantitative Research

Research that primarily uses numerical data.

Qualitative Research

Research that primarily uses observations, experiences, words, and meanings.

Scientific Method

A systematic series of steps used to research a problem objectively and consistently.

Operational Definition

A definition that makes an abstract concept specific enough to measure.

Hypothesis

A testable statement predicting a relationship between variables.

Variable

A measurable characteristic that can change.

Independent Variable

Variable believed to cause or influence another variable.

Dependent Variable

Variable expected to change because of the independent variable.

Correlation

A relationship in which changes in one variable occur alongside changes in another.

Causation

A relationship in which one variable directly produces a change in another.

Research Design

A detailed plan for scientifically collecting and analyzing data.

Survey

Research method used to collect information about the behavior or opinions of groups of people.

Interview

Research method in which information is gathered by directly questioning participants.

Observation

Collecting information by directly watching or participating in a social setting.

Ethnography

Extended systematic observation used to understand an entire social setting or group.

Experiment

Controlled research situation in which researchers manipulate variables.

Experimental Group

Group exposed to the independent variable.

Control Group

Group not exposed to the independent variable.

Hawthorne Effect

Change in behavior caused by people knowing they are being observed.

Validity

Degree to which a measurement actually measures what the researcher intends to study.

Reliability

Degree to which a measurement produces consistent results.

Sample

A smaller group selected from a larger population for research.

Random Sample

Sample in which every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected.

Secondary Analysis

Research using information or data that was previously collected.

Content Analysis

Systematic examination and coding of existing information or communication.

Code of Ethics

Principles and standards that guide responsible sociological research.