Society & Social Structure

What is the definition of society according to sociology?

A group of individuals who share a common culture and social structure.

What are social institutions?

Organized systems of social relationships that fulfill essential functions in society.

Name one function of family as a social institution.

To provide emotional support and socialization for children.

What is social structure?

The organized pattern of relationships and institutions that together compose society.

What role does education play in society?

It transmits knowledge and cultural values.

What is meant by the term 'norms'?

Social rules that define acceptable behavior in society.

Define 'values' in the context of sociology.

Beliefs that guide the behavior and judgments of individuals.

What is the significance of status in a social structure?

It defines an individual's position within the social hierarchy.

What is role strain?

The stress or pressure experienced when fulfilling the demands of a single status.

Explain the concept of 'role conflict'.

The situation where an individual faces competing demands from different roles.

How does culture influence social behavior?

Culture shapes the norms, values, and expectations of behavior in society.

What is meant by 'socialization'?

The process through which individuals learn and adopt the behaviors and norms of their society.

What is the difference between primary and secondary socialization?

Primary socialization occurs in early childhood, while secondary socialization occurs later through institutions like school.

Define 'deviance' in a sociological context.

Behavior that violates social norms or expectations.

What is the function of deviance in society?

It can promote social change and clarify social norms.

Name a major theoretical framework in sociology.

Structural functionalism.

What do conflict theorists emphasize about social structures?

They highlight the power differences and inequalities within social structures.

What is meant by the 'social contract'?

An implicit agreement among members of society to cooperate for social benefits.

What is cultural relativism?

The practice of assessing a culture by its own standards rather than viewing it through the lens of another culture.

How does globalization affect social structures?

It leads to the integration and interaction of different cultures and societies.

What is the term used for the loss of social norms in a society?

Anomie.

Define 'social mobility'.

The ability of individuals or groups to move within the social hierarchy.

What is the role of the government in social structure?

To create and enforce laws that maintain social order.

What does it mean to have a 'collective identity'?

A shared sense of belonging to a group that is defined by common characteristics.

Explain the term 'urbanization'.

The increasing population in cities and the transformation of land use.

What is the relationship between gender and social structure?

Gender roles and expectations shape interactions and opportunities in various social contexts.

Primary vs Secondary Groups

Characteristics of a Bureaucracy