Connecting Sociology and YOU!

Chapter 1: Introduction – Understanding Sociology

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sociology- the scientific study of social relationships, institutions, and societies

social institutions- structures in society providing the framework for governing the behavior of individuals in a community or society

society- a large group of people associated with a shared culture and social institutions

Sociological Perspectivethe process of understanding and explaining how individuals and groups interact within society

Social Structuresthe distinctive and stable arrangements of social patterns that form the society as a whole

Social Problems: societal conditions that harm segments of society 

Sociological Imaginationthe 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

Social Changethe forces that change society’s organization and social structures 

positivism – authentic and valid knowledge of the social world is found only through scientific and empirical pursuit

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,

bourgeois- 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

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

rationalization of society- the replacement of traditional values and personal connections with bureaucracy, efficiency, and a means-end approach

social problems- the societal conditions that harm segments of society

objective conditions — the scope of a problem

subjective concerns — people’s feelings about a problem

human trafficking- a situation in which a person is smuggled, abused, and forced to work against their will for the economic gain of another

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

sustainable development- development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs

social inequality- the unequal distribution of power, property, or prestige in society

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

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