Term | Definition |
Key concept | An important general idea (the most important). |
Roles | Proper or customary functions that a person or institution performs. |
Norms | Standards or patterns used in a variety of contexts. When studying behaviour, we discuss social norms. |
Social Institutions | Used to describe groups of people for a goal or purpose (give members rights and privileges and to help society function in general). |
Macro-sociological theories | Attempts to define patterns in broader society (laws & gender roles), they describe the big picture. |
Micro-sociological theories | Attempt to find patterns within smaller groups (friends & families) and don’t try to explain what happens outside of the group they are studying. |
Functionalism | How all structures in society work together, focusing on the roles people perform. |
Conflict Theory | Examines the role that power plays in society and how it can be used to control others. |
Feminist Theory | Focuses on the experience of gender. |
Symbolic Interactionism | Concentrates on how people attach meaning to situations and how it influences behaviour. |
Primary Sources | Specific data from a single source (surveys, interviews, & case studies). |
Secondary Sources | Overview of multiple primary sources (journal articles, documentaries, & literature reviews). |
Bias | Having opinions or feelings that are determined without full consideration (may include preferences or pertain to a social or cultural group). |
Confirmation Bias | Search for or interpret information in a way that supports a person's prior beliefs or values. |
Negativity Bias | Paying more attention to negative information than positive information. |
Social Norm | Expected patterns of behaviour in a situation, varying by culture. |
Social Role | Our duties and responsibilities or positions we hold in society. |
Theories | Assumptions that are ways to explain behaviour. Each theory offers a unique way of looking at the world.
Theories
Theory | Focus | Key ideas | Example |
Functionalism | A macro theory that looks at how all structures or institutions in society work together | Society is seen as an integrated whole, where all parts are interconnected.
Every structure in society plays a vital function to maintain stability and the well-being of its members.
This theory focuses on the roles people perform, and the idea that behaviour follows established norms. | Creation of laws to protect members from harm
Parents work to provide an income for family and to care for their children |
Conflict Theory | A macro theory that examines the role that power plays in society, and how it can be used to have control over others | Society is organized into two groups: those with and those without power.
Those with the most power have the most wealth, prestige and privileges, and therefore are able to limit the less powerful. Exploitation can result.
Society is constantly experiencing change due to competition over resources. | Minorities have been oppressed in society.
Those with wealth maintain power and control over those without. |
Feminist Theory | A macro and micro theory that focuses on the experience of gender | It focuses on women’s experiences, gender roles, and socio-economic inequalities between women and men.
At the macro level, feminists study the economic systems and societal ideologies (beliefs) that give rise to inequality.
At the micro level, feminists study communication, attitudes and values of men and women. | Examines the wage inequalities between men and women.
Examines how pregnancy leave impacts a working woman’s career attainment. | Symbolic Interactionism | A micro theory that concentrates on how individuals attach meaning to situations and how it influences behaviour. | This theory focuses on how the human mind intervenes between what we observe and how we act.
The human mind is impacted by life experiences and personal events. Behaviour is based on people’s thoughts of themselves and of others. | Two people respond differently to the feedback they receive from their employer
Two people in a relationship argue about how to raise children |
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Note
Studied by 38 people