HSP Exam

Cultural Relativism

 Understanding a culture based on its own values, not judging it by your own.

Functional Theory

 Belief that every part of culture has a purpose and maintains social stability.

Cultural Materialism

Culture is shaped by material conditions like environment, economy, and technology.

Feminist Anthropology

Focuses on how gender roles shape human cultures and challenges male-centered perspectives.

Evolution

 The gradual development of species over time through natural selection.

Primatology

The study of primates to understand human evolution.

Archaeology

The study of past human life through artifacts and remains.

Human Variation

Genetic and physical differences within the human species.

Natural Selection

Survival of the fittest; traits that help survival are passed on.

Ethnology

Comparison of different cultures using fieldwork.

Diffusion

 Spread of cultural traits from one society to another.

Cultural Construction

 Idea that what we believe is “normal” is taught by culture.

Assimilation

When a minority group adopts the culture of the dominant group.

Gender & Culture

 How gender roles are shaped by cultural expectations.

Multiculturalism

Coexistence of diverse cultures in one society.

Globalization

 Increased cultural interaction due to technology and trade.

Ethnocentrism

Belief that your own culture is superior to others.

Behaviourism (Pavlov & Skinner)

Behavior is learned through rewards, punishments, and associations.

Psychoanalysis (Freud & Erikson)

Human behavior is driven by unconscious desires and childhood experiences.

Humanism (Maslow)

People strive for growth and fulfillment; focused on potential and free will.

Cognitive Theory (Bandura)

Focuses on how we think, learn, and mentally process the world; includes observational learning.

Bystander Apathy

 People are less likely to help in emergencies when others are present.

Parenting styles

Authoritative, authoritarian, permissive, uninvolved; affects child development.

Conformity

Changing behavior to fit social norms or group expectations.

Motivation

The internal processes that guide behavior (intrinsic vs. extrinsic).

Attitude

Beliefs and feelings that influence behavior toward objects or people.

Cognitive Dissonance

Discomfort from holding conflicting thoughts or beliefs.

Fundamental Attribution Error

Overemphasizing personal traits over situational causes in others' actions.

Mental Healthy/Illness

 Emotional, psychological well-being vs. disorders like anxiety, depression, etc.

Personality (Types)

Traits and patterns of behaviour that define a person.

Perfectionism

Unrealistic standards and fear of failure; can affect mental health.

Nature vs. Nurture

 Debate over whether genetics or environment shapes behavior.

Social Isolation

 Lack of social interaction; impacts mental and emotional health.

Structural Functionalism (Durkheim)

Society works like a system; each part serves a purpose.

Conflict Theory (Marx)

Society is driven by inequality and conflict between classes.

Feminist Sociology (Bell Hooks)

Analyzes gender inequality and power dynamics.

Symbolic Interactionism (Cooley)

People shape society through shared meanings and symbols.

Micro vs. Macro Sociology

 Small group interactions vs. large-scale societal patterns.

Social Norms, Roles, and Sanctions

Expected behaviors and rules in society; consequences for breaking them.

Groups (Primary & Secondary)

Close, emotional ties (family/friends) vs. formal, goal-oriented (coworkers).

Deviance

Behavior that goes against societal norms.

Prejudice

Biased attitude toward a group.

Discrimination

Unfair treatment of people based on group membership.

Stereotypes

Oversimplified ideas about a group.

The “isms”

Racism, sexism, ageism, etc.; systems of discrimination.

Groupthink

When group desire for harmony overrides critical thinking.

Social Institutions

Structures like family, education, religion, and media that shape society.

Agents of Socialization

Groups that teach societal norms (family, media, school).

Gender (Roles & Expectations)

Culturally defined behaviors associated with being male or female.

Qualitative Research

Collects non-numerical data (interviews, observations); focuses on meaning and experience.

Quantitative Research

Uses numbers and statistics to analyze patterns (surveys, experiments).

Bias

When research or interpretation is influenced by personal beliefs.

Ethics

Moral principles in research (e.g. consent, confidentiality, no harm).

Case Study

 In-depth analysis of one person, group, or situation.

Participant Observation

Researcher immerses themselves in the group being studied.

Reliability

Consistency of results over time.

Whether the research measures what it claims to.

Validity