Sociological Perspective: the process of understanding and explaining how individuals and groups interact within society (HP).
Social Structures: the distinctive and stable arrangements of social patterns that form the society as a whole (HP).
Social Problems: societal conditions that harm segments of society (HP).
Sociological Imagination: the ability to see the details of our own lives in the context of larger social structures as opposed to merely personal choices or personal troubles (HP).
Social Change: the forces that change society’s organization and social structures (HP).
sociological theory, a set of interrelated ideas that provide a systematic understanding of the social world.
macro sociology, a level of analysis focusing on social systems and populations on a large scale
micro sociology, a level of analysis focusing on individuals and small groups within the larger social system
proletariat, the majority, who were the poor, property-less industrial working class
bourgeoisie, the small minority who were the wealthy class
conflict theory, a sociological perspective emphasizing the role of political and economic power and oppression as contributing to the existing social order
functionalist theory, a macro view of how the parts of society serve to maintain stability
manifest functions, intentional and formally sanctioned functions of social institutions and society
Latent functions, unintentional and informally sanctioned functions of social institutions and society
dysfunction, the undesirable disruptions of social patterns resulting in negative consequences within society
socialized self, which states that the self cannot develop apart from society
symbolic interaction, a micro view of how society is the product of interactions between people, which occur via symbols that have distinct meanings
social facts — social patterns that are external to individuals and greatly influence our way of thinking and behaving in society.
verstehen (vûrst e hen), an empathetic approach to understanding human behavior, loosely translated as understanding or interpretation.
feminist theory, a view on anti-oppression, gender relations, and gender inequality
applied sociology, the use of sociological theory, research, and methodologies to find solutions to problems in society.
queer theory, a critical view that rejects the traditional categories of gender, sex, and sexuality in contemporary society.
postmodern social theory, a critical view rejecting the historical, scientific, and structured means of investigating and interpreting the social world
social structures, the distinctive and stable arrangements of social patterns that form the society as a whole
rationalization of society, the replacement of traditional values and personal connections with bureaucracy, efficiency, and a means-end approach.
Fair Trade, an organizational movement and certification process to help producers in developing countries receive a fair price for their products with the goals of reducing poverty, providing for the ethical treatment of workers and farmers, and promoting environmentally sustainable practices
sustainability, the idea that current and future generations should have equal or greater access to social, economic, and environmental resources
ustainable development, development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, by offering more social resources for the marginalized growers
social inequality, the unequal distribution of power, property, or prestige in society.
Functionalist Theory: A theoretical perspective that is concerned with how the parts of the social system work to maintain stability in society.
Conflict Theory: Looks at the issue of competition and change and who benefits from structural inequalities.
Symbolic Interactionism: Contends that our understanding of everyday social behavior is based on our lived experiences.
sociological imagination, the ability to see the details of our own lives in the context of larger social structures as opposed to merely personal choices or personal troubles
Personal troubles, matters experienced at the individual level,
public issue, a matter that impacts society as a whole
anomie, the breakdown of social values, norms, and order resulting in social instability
social change, the forces that change the organization and the social structures of society.
globalization, the worldwide integration of our cultural, economic, and political lives that results from ever-increasing levels of business, trade, and technology
applied sociology, the use of sociological theory, research, and methodologies to find solutions to problems in society