Sociology Ch1 Terms

Front 1

Altruistic suicide

Back 1

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

Front 2

Anomic suicide

Back 2

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

Front 3

Class conflict

Back 3

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

Front 4

Conflict theory

Back 4

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

Front 5

Democratic Revolution

Back 5

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.