Download Social Theory Terms and Concepts and more Quizzes Introduction to Sociology in PDF only on Docsity!
meritocratic individualism
success/failure is based on a persons merit (hard work/skills) TERM 2
socialization
DEFINITION 2 process through which one learns how to act accordingly to rules and expectations of a culture TERM 3
ascribed status
DEFINITION 3 acquired at birth or taken on involuntarily later in life (ex: male/female, senior citizen) TERM 4
achieved status
DEFINITION 4 acquired through efforts or taken on voluntarily (ex: college graduate, lawyer) TERM 5
status
DEFINITION 5 any named social position that a person can occupy
role
the set of expectations - rights, obligations, behaviors, or duties associated with a particular status TERM 7
looking glass self
DEFINITION 7 written by charles cooley in 1906* argued that people use verbal and nonverbal responses of other people to form a mosaic of themselves and their identity TERM 8
anecdotal evidence
DEFINITION 8 stories from personal experience; can be emotionally powerful, but may capture the larger truth TERM 9
deviance
DEFINITION 9 non-conformity (refusal) to a given set of socially accepted norms TERM 10
sanction
DEFINITION 10 (re)-action meant to ensure compliance (fulfillment) with social norms- basically a penalty
zero
tolerance
argues that, if minor offenses (broken windows, graffiti, littering) go unpunished, this sends a message to criminals that more serious crimes can be committed without fear of sanction TERM 17
conformists
DEFINITION 17 accept the socially encouraged goals and the non-deviant ways of achieving them TERM 18
innovators
DEFINITION 18 accept the socially encouraged goals BUT use deviant means to achieve them TERM 19
ritualists
DEFINITION 19 use non-deviant means but have lost sight of the end goal TERM 20
retreatists
DEFINITION 20 reject both the socially encouraged goals and the non- deviant ways to achieve them
rebels
reject both the socially encouraged goals and the non- deviant ways of achieving them but also wish to replace the existing social system TERM 22
social construction of
sex
DEFINITION 22 two options: male or femalethe male/female duality is a social construction that does not reflect the reality of people being born who dont fit into their category TERM 23
social construction of
gender
DEFINITION 23 by socializing girls and boys to act in a particular way (play with certain toys, dress in certain clothes) parents and other agents of socialization are constructing gender TERM 24
gender wage gap
DEFINITION 24 the difference in pay that men and women earnfor every dollar that men are paid, women are paid- 1970s: 62 cents- 2000: 76 cents- 2004: 80 cents TERM 25
the glass ceiling
DEFINITION 25 a limit on ho high women can advance on the corporate level.- the limit is invisible (glass)
mcdonaldization
process by which the principles behind the operation of fast food restaurants have come to influence other aspects of the social structure - family, politics, education, and law enforcementjust a different name for rationalization TERM 32
efficiency
DEFINITION 32 finding the best/optimum means to a given end TERM 33
predictability
DEFINITION 33 no surprises: Mcdonalds - one taste world wide" TERM 34
calculability
DEFINITION 34 quantity over quality - big mac not good mac" TERM 35
substitution of nonhuman technology
DEFINITION 35 self check out in grocery storesassembly line labortelevangelismred light and speeding camerasleaf blower
control
control over uncertainties and over other people TERM 37
pluralism theory
DEFINITION 37 power is dispersed among groups or classes of people TERM 38
elite theory
DEFINITION 38 government is dominated by elites, leaders of organizations, such as corporations TERM 39
state autonomy theory
DEFINITION 39 power is located in the government, which rules independently in the best interests of the nation TERM 40
interlocking directorates
DEFINITION 40 refers to the practice of members of corporate board of directors serving on the boards of multiple corporations
