Sociology Ch1 Terms

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Altruistic suicide

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is Durkheim’s term for suicide that occurs in low-solidarity settings, where norms tightly govern behavior. Altruism means devotion to the interests of others. Altruistic suicide is suicide in the group interest.

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Anomic suicide

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is Durkheim’s term for suicide that occurs in high-solidarity settings, where norms governing behavior are vaguely defined. Anomie means “without order.”

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Class conflict

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is the struggle between classes to resist and overcome the opposition of other classes

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Conflict theory

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generally focuses on large, macro-level structures, such as the relations between classes. It shows how major patterns of inequality in society produce social stability in some circumstances and social change in others. It stresses how members of privileged groups try to maintain their advantages while subordinate groups struggle to increase theirs. It typically leads to the suggestion that eliminating privilege will lower the level of conflict and increase the sum total of human welfare.

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Democratic Revolution

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began about 1750, during which time the citizens of the United States, France, and other countries broadened their participation in government. This revolution also suggested that people organize society and that human intervention can therefore resolve social problems.

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Dysfunctions

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are effects of social structures that create social instability.

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Egoistic suicide

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results from a lack of integration of the individual into society because of weak social ties to others.

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Feminist theory

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claims that patriarchy is at least as important as class inequality in determining a person’s opportunities in life. It holds that male domination and female subordination are determined not by biological necessity but by structures of power and social convention. It examines the operation of patriarchy in both micro- and macro-level settings, and it contends that existing patterns of gender inequality can and should be changed for the benefit of all members of society.

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Functionalist theory

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stresses that human behavior is governed by relatively stable social structures. It underlines how social structures maintain or undermine social stability. It emphasizes that social structures are based mainly on shared values or preferences and suggests that reestablishing equilibrium can best solve most social problems.

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Global structures

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are patterns of social relations that lie outside and above the national level. They include international organizations, patterns of worldwide travel and communication, and the economic relations between countries.

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Globalization

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is the process by which formerly separate economies, states, and cultures are being tied together and people are becoming increasingly aware of their growing interdependence.

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Industrial Revolution

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refers to the rapid economic transformation that began in Britain in the 1780s. It involved the large-scale application of science and technology to industrial processes, the creation of factories, and the formation of a working class. It created a host of new and serious social problems that attracted the attention of many social thinkers.

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Latent functions

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are invisible and unintended effects of social structures.

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Macrostructures

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are overarching patterns of social relations that lie outside and above one’s circle of intimates and acquaintances. Macrostructures include classes, bureaucracies, and power systems such as patriarchy.

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Manifest functions

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are visible and intended effects of social structures.

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Microstructures

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are the patterns of relatively intimate social relations formed during face-to-face interaction. Families, friendship circles, and work associations are all examples of microstructures.

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Patriarchy

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is the traditional system of economic and political inequality between women and men.

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Postindustrial Revolution

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refers to the technology-driven shift from manufacturing to service industries and the consequences of that shift for virtually all human activities.

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Protestant ethic

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is the 16th- and 17th-century Protestant belief that religious doubts can be reduced, and a state of grace assured, if people work diligently and live ascetically. According to Weber, the Protestant ethic had the unintended effect of increasing savings and investment and thus stimulating capitalist growth.

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Public policy

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involves the creation of laws and regulations by organizations and governments.

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Research

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is the process of carefully observing reality to assess the validity of a theory.

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Scientific Revolution

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began in Europe about 1550. It encouraged the view that sound conclusions about the workings of society must be based on solid evidence, not just speculation.

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Social constructionists

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argue that apparently natural or innate features of life are often sustained by social processes that vary historically and culturally.

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Social solidarity

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refers to (1) the degree to which group members share beliefs and values and (2) the intensity and frequency of their interaction.

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Social structures

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are stable patterns of social relations.

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sociological imagination

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is the quality of mind that enables one to see the connection between personal troubles and social structures.

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Sociology

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is the systematic study of human behavior in social context.

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Symbolic interactionist

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theory focuses on interpersonal communication in micro-level social settings. It emphasizes that an adequate explanation of social behavior requires understanding the subjective meanings people attach to their social circumstances. It stresses that people help to create their social circumstances and do not merely react to them. And, by underscoring the subjective meanings people create in small social settings, it validates unpopular and nonofficial viewpoints. This increases our understanding and tolerance of people who may be different from us.

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Theory

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is a tentative explanation of some aspect of social life that states how and why certain facts are related.

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Values

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are ideas about what is right and wrong.