Introduction to Sociology and Anthropology — Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering core terms from the lecture notes on social science, anthropology, sociology, and politics.

Social science

The broad study of society and the manner in which people behave and influence the world around us; disciplines include History, Geography, Psychology, Economics, Anthropology, Sociology, and Political Science.

Anthropology

From Greek anthropos (human) and logos (knowledge); the study of humans, focusing on the diversity and similarity of how people live and connect as social and cultural beings, through observation and in-depth study.

Social Anthropology

Knowledge about humans in societies.

Cultural Anthropology

Knowledge about aspects of humanity that are not natural but are acquired.

Sociology

The systematic study of human society; focuses on the dynamic interplay between individuals and society, including social relationships, organization, structures, and processes.

Sociological Perspective

A special point of view that sees general patterns of society in the lives of particular people.

Sociological Imagination

A quality of mind that links personal experiences with the social world; helps understand everyday events; according to Mills, society—not personal failings—is the main cause of poverty and social problems; requires a global perspective.

Personal Issue

An issue viewed from the individual perspective as a private matter rather than a public concern.

Private Trouble

A problem affecting one person; an example is the unemployment of a single individual.

Public Issue

A problem affecting a large number of people; for example, widespread unemployment among millions.

Politics

The activity through which people make, preserve, and amend the general rules under which they live; involves conflict, cooperation, and disagreement about norms and rules, requiring people to work with others to influence or uphold them.

Political Science

The study of the state and its government; uses of power, interests, influence, diplomacy; outcomes of policy implementation; citizenship education.

Structural-Functional Approach

A view of society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stability; analyzes social structure and the functions of social patterns (manifest, latent) and social dysfunction.

Manifest Functions

The recognized and intended consequences of any social pattern.

Latent Functions

The unrecognized and unintended consequences of any social pattern.

Social Dysfunction

Any social pattern that may disrupt the operation of society.

Social-Conflict Approach

A view of society as an arena of inequality that generates conflict and change, emphasizing how social patterns benefit the dominant groups.

Symbolic-Interactionism

Humans live in a world of symbols; in social interaction they attach meaning to everything; society is the product of everyday interactions of individuals.

Macro-Level Analysis

Analysis of large-scale social processes and structures.

Micro-Level Analysis

Analysis of small-scale social processes and everyday interactions.

Conflict

existence of different opinions, perspective, etc. diagreement about the rules under which people live.

Cooperation:

People recognize that they must work with others in order to influence thse rules or ensure that they are uphold.