Unit 1 Sociology and Related Fields Vocabulary

Social Science

A group of academic disciplines that study society and human relationships

Sociological Perspective

A scientific and systematic way of looking at social life, going beyond commonly held beliefs and trying to find patterns

Latent function

An unintended and unrecognized consequence of an element of society

Manifest function

An intended and recognized consequence of an element of society

Macrosociology

The study of large-scale systems or society as a whole; functionalism and conflict perspective fall under this level of analysis.

Microsociology

The study of small-scale settings and everyday interactions among group members; symbolic interactionism falls under this level of analysis.

Anthropology

The study of human society and social behavior, including cultural, biological, and archaeological aspects

Psychology

The scientific study of behavior and mental processes

Social Psychology

The study of how the social environment affects behavior and personality

Economics

The social science that analyzes the choices people make to satisfy their needs and wants

Political Science

The examination of principles, organization, and operation of government and political systems

History

The study of people and events of the past, including their social, cultural, and political aspects

The Functionalist Perspective

A sociological perspective that views society as interrelated parts producing a stable social system. Emphasizes the way in which the parts of a society are structured to maintain its stability

The Conflict Perspective

A sociological perspective that views social conflict and change as inevitable features of society. Assumes that social behavior is best understood in terms of tension between groups over power, resources, and politics

Symbolic Interactionism (Interactionist)

a micro-level theory in which shared meanings, orientations, and assumptions form the basic motivations behind people's actions.

Auguste Comte

A French sociologist and the founder of Sociology, who focused on social order and change. Applied the methods of the physical sciences to the study of social life and used the term sociology to describe the study of society

Harriet Martineau

The first female sociologist from Great Britain; believed that societies must ensure social justice for women, enslaved people, and other oppressed groups. Published the book: 'Society in America'

Herbert Spencer

An English philosopher and sociologist who applied the theory of natural selection to human societies (1820-1903)

Karl Marx

A German sociologist who developed conflict theory and focused on the influence of the economy on society. Believed that the structure of a society is influenced by how its economy is organized. Wrote the Communist Manifesto

Emile Durkheim

A French sociologist who studied social order and the interdependent parts of society. Functionalist. Looked at the function of behaviors in society. Emphasized the role of religion in society

Max Weber

A German sociologist who focused on separate groups within society and developed the concept of Verstehen

Jane Addams

An American sociologist who founded Hull House and advocated for welfare and social services

W.E.B. DuBois

An American sociologist and civil rights activist, who was the first African American to earn a doctorate and focused on race issues

Sociological Imagination

The ability to see the connection between the larger world and your personal life. Seeing the relations between impersonal and intimate features of human life

Origins of Sociology

The rapid social and political changes that took place in Europe as a result of the Industrial Revolution. Growth of urban populations