Theories
Structural Functionalism
a set of theories based on the assumption that society is a unified whole that functions because of the contributions of separate structures.
Biography
personal troubles
Social Analysts
use technical knowledge and question statements
ex) women are natural nuturers
Ideal Culture
the norms, values, and patterns of behavior that members of a society believe should be observed in principle
Hegemony
describes the cultural aspects of social control, whereby the ideas of the dominant group are accepted by all
Symbolic Interactionism
a set of theories that sees INTERACTION and meaning as central to society and assumes that meanings are not inherent but are created through interactions
History
public issues
Ethnocentrism
principle of using one's own culture as a means or standard by which to evaluate another group
Dominant Culture
the values, norms, and practices of the group within society that's most powerful (in terms of weather, status, etc)
Marx's Contribution to Conflict Theory
society is divided into a small number of capitalists (bourgeoise) and a large number of workers (proletariat) who are exploited for their labor
Conflict Theory
belief that social conflict is the basis of society
Personal Troubles
occur within the character of the individual
Cultural Relativism
principle of understanding other cultures on their own terms, rather than judging
Norms
rules or guidelines regarding what kinds behavior are acceptable and appropriate with a particular culture
The Sociological Imagination
quality of mind that allows us to understand the relationship between our individual circumstances and the larger social forces
Critical Race Theory
the study of the relationship among race, racism, and power
Public Issues
transcend local environments (shape personal traits)
Real Culture
the norms, values, and patterns of behavior that actually exist within a society
Values
ideas about what's right or wrong, good or bad, desirable or worthy in a particular group
Verstehen
"empathetic understanding" Weber's term to describe good social research
Feminist Theory
theoretical approach that looks at gender inequities of society and the way gender structures the social world
Everyday Actor
navigate objective reality through practical knowledge
ex) the moon causes the tides to go in and out
Manifest Functions/ Latent Functions
Manifest: obvious, intended functions of a social structure for the social system
Latent: less obvious, unintended functions of a social structure
Sanctions
positive or negative reactions to the ways that people follow or disobey norms
Saphir-Worf Hypothesis
the idea that language structures thought and that ways of looking at the world are embedded in language