Sociology Unit 1

sociology

the systematic study of human and social behaviours, including culture, social structures, relationships, social interactions, and society as a whole

society

The largest scale social structure, whose members interact with one another, share a common geographic territory, and share common institutions

structure

The identifiable elements of society that produce relatively stable opportunities and constraints in peoples lives

macrosociology

The study of society, social institutions, and large social groups

social institution

A social structure made up of two or more relationships (i.e. stable patterns of meaningful orientations to one another.)

microsociology

The study of small social groups and individual social interaction

sociological imagination

The ability to place and understand, the personal experiences of individuals within the societal context in which these experiences occur

sociological perspective

The ability to see the general in the particular and the strange in the familiar

agency

The ability of individuals to make free, independent decisions

social structure

any enduring, predictable pattern of social relations among people in society

scientific method

an investigative process that involves the creation and testing of hypothesis through systematic observation and measurement

objectivity

A lack of bias, prejudice, or judgement

social science

A major category of academic discipline, concerned with society and the relationships among individuals within a society - Included in this are sociology, anthropology, political science, and social geography, among other others.

subjectivity

an interpretation of reality through our own experiences, opinions, values, feelings, and beliefs

social mobility

ability to rise in social class