.sociology Study Guide #2 Vocabulary

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1. Achieved Status

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Sociology Ch. 3 – Social Interaction, Groups, and Social Structure

A social position attained by a person largely through his or her own efforts.

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2. Agrarian Society

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Sociology Ch. 3 – Social Interaction, Groups, and Social Structure

The most technologically advanced form of preindustrial society, in which members are engaged primarily in the production of food but increase their crop yield through such technological innovations as the plow.

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3. Ascribed Status

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Sociology Ch. 3 – Social Interaction, Groups, and Social Structure

A social position "assigned" to a person by society without regard for the person's unique talents or characteristics.

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4. Avatar

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Sociology Ch. 3 – Social Interaction, Groups, and Social Structure

A three-dimensional model, two-dimensional icon, or constructed personality that is assumed by the user of an Internet site.

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5. Bureaucracy

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Sociology Ch. 3 – Social Interaction, Groups, and Social Structure

A component of formal organization in which rules and hierarchical ranking are used to achieve efficiency.

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6. Classical Theory

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Sociology Ch. 3 – Social Interaction, Groups, and Social Structure

An approach to the study of formal organizations in which workers are viewed as being motivated almost entirely by economic rewards.

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7. Formal Organization

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Sociology Ch. 3 – Social Interaction, Groups, and Social Structure

A group designed for a special purpose and structured for maximum efficiency.

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8. Gemeinschaft

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Sociology Ch. 3 – Social Interaction, Groups, and Social Structure

A term used by Ferdinand Tönnies to describe a small, close-knit community, often found in a rural area, in which strong personal bonds unite members.

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9. Gesellschaft

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Sociology Ch. 3 – Social Interaction, Groups, and Social Structure

A term used by Ferdinand Tönnies to describe a community, often urban, that is large and impersonal, with little commitment to the group or consensus on values.

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10. Goal Displacement

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Sociology Ch. 3 – Social Interaction, Groups, and Social Structure

Within a bureaucracy, overzealous conformity to official regulations.

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11. Group

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Sociology Ch. 3 – Social Interaction, Groups, and Social Structure

Any number of people with similar norms, values, and expectations who interact with one another on a regular basis.

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12. Horticultural Society

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Sociology Ch. 3 – Social Interaction, Groups, and Social Structure

A preindustrial society in which people plant seeds and crops rather than merely subsist on available foods.

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13. Human Relations Approach

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Sociology Ch. 3 – Social Interaction, Groups, and Social Structure

An approach to the study of formal organizations that emphasizes the role of people, communication, and participation within a bureaucracy and tends to focus on informal groups.

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14. Hunting-and-Gathering Society

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Sociology Ch. 3 – Social Interaction, Groups, and Social Structure

A preindustrial society in which people rely on whatever foods and fibers are readily available in order to survive.

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15. Ideal Type

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Sociology Ch. 3 – Social Interaction, Groups, and Social Structure

A construct or model that serves as a measuring rod against which actual cases can be evaluated.

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16. Industrial Society

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Sociology Ch. 3 – Social Interaction, Groups, and Social Structure

A society that depends on mechanization to produce its goods and services.

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17. In-Group

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Sociology Ch. 3 – Social Interaction, Groups, and Social Structure

Any group or category to which people feel they belong.

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18. Master Status

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Sociology Ch. 3 – Social Interaction, Groups, and Social Structure

A status that dominates others and thereby determines a person's general position within society.

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19. Mechanical Solidarity

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Sociology Ch. 3 – Social Interaction, Groups, and Social Structure

A collective consciousness that emphasizes group solidarity, characteristic of societies with minimal division of labor.

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20. Organic Solidarity

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Sociology Ch. 3 – Social Interaction, Groups, and Social Structure

A collective consciousness that rests on mutual interdependence, characteristic of societies with a complex division of labor.

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21. Out-Group

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Sociology Ch. 3 – Social Interaction, Groups, and Social Structure

A group or category to which people feel they do not belong.

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22. Peter Principle

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Sociology Ch. 3 – Social Interaction, Groups, and Social Structure

A principle of organizational life originated by Laurence J. Peter, according to which every employee within a hierarchy tends to rise to his or her level of incompetence.

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23. Postindustrial Society

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Sociology Ch. 3 – Social Interaction, Groups, and Social Structure

A society whose economic system is engaged primarily in the processing and control of information.

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24. Postmodern Society

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Sociology Ch. 3 – Social Interaction, Groups, and Social Structure

A technologically sophisticated society that is preoccupied with consumer goods and media images.

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25. Primary Group

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Sociology Ch. 3 – Social Interaction, Groups, and Social Structure

A small group characterized by intimate, face-to-face association and cooperation.

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26. Reference Group

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Sociology Ch. 3 – Social Interaction, Groups, and Social Structure

Any group that individuals use as a standard in evaluating themselves and their own behavior.

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27. Role Conflict

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Sociology Ch. 3 – Social Interaction, Groups, and Social Structure

The situation that occurs when incompatible expectations arise from two or more social positions held by the same person.

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28. Role Strain

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Sociology Ch. 3 – Social Interaction, Groups, and Social Structure

The situation that occurs when the same social position imposes conflicting demands and expectations.

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29. Scientific Management Approach

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Sociology Ch. 3 – Social Interaction, Groups, and Social Structure

Another name for the classical theory of formal organizations.

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30. Secondary Group

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Sociology Ch. 3 – Social Interaction, Groups, and Social Structure

A formal, impersonal group in which there is little social intimacy or mutual understanding.

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31. Social Institution

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Sociology Ch. 3 – Social Interaction, Groups, and Social Structure

An organized pattern of beliefs and behavior centered on basic social needs.

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32. Social Interaction

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Sociology Ch. 3 – Social Interaction, Groups, and Social Structure

The ways in which people respond to one another.

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33. Social Network

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Sociology Ch. 3 – Social Interaction, Groups, and Social Structure

A series of social relationships that links a person directly to others and, through them, indirectly to still more people.

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34. Social Role

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Sociology Ch. 3 – Social Interaction, Groups, and Social Structure

A set of expectations for people who occupy a given social position or status.

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35. Social Structure

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Sociology Ch. 3 – Social Interaction, Groups, and Social Structure

The way in which a society is organized into predictable relationships.

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36. Sociocultural Evolution

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Sociology Ch. 3 – Social Interaction, Groups, and Social Structure

The process of change and development in human societies that results from cumulative growth in their stores of cultural information.

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37. Status

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Sociology Ch. 3 – Social Interaction, Groups, and Social Structure

A term used by sociologists to refer to any of the full range of socially defined positions within a large group or society.

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38. Technology

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Sociology Ch. 3 – Social Interaction, Groups, and Social Structure

Cultural information about how to use the material resources of the environment to satisfy human needs and desires.

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39. Trained Incapacity

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Sociology Ch. 3 – Social Interaction, Groups, and Social Structure

The tendency of workers in a bureaucracy to become so specialized that they develop blind spots and fail to notice obvious problems.

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1. Absolute Poverty

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Sociology Vocabulary Ch. 5 – Stratification in the U.S. and Global Inequality

A standard of poverty based on a minimum level of subsistence that no family should be expected to live below.

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2. Achieved Status

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Sociology Vocabulary Ch. 5 – Stratification in the U.S. and Global Inequality

A social position attained by a person largely through his or her own efforts.

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3. Ascribed Status

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Sociology Vocabulary Ch. 5 – Stratification in the U.S. and Global Inequality

A social position "assigned" to a person by society without regard for the person's unique talents or characteristics.

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4. Bourgeoisie

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Sociology Vocabulary Ch. 5 – Stratification in the U.S. and Global Inequality

Karl Marx's term for the capitalist class, or the owners of the means of production.

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5. Capitalism

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Sociology Vocabulary Ch. 5 – Stratification in the U.S. and Global Inequality

An economic system in which the means of production are held largely in private hands, and the main incentive for economic activity is the accumulation of profits.

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6. Caste

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Sociology Vocabulary Ch. 5 – Stratification in the U.S. and Global Inequality

A hereditary system of rank, usually religiously dictated, that tends to be fixed and immobile.

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7. Class

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Sociology Vocabulary Ch. 5 – Stratification in the U.S. and Global Inequality

A term used by Max Weber to refer to a group of people who have a similar level of wealth and income.

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8. Class Consciousness

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Sociology Vocabulary Ch. 5 – Stratification in the U.S. and Global Inequality

In Karl Marx's view, a subjective awareness of common vested interests and the need for collective political action to bring about social change.

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9. Class System

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Sociology Vocabulary Ch. 5 – Stratification in the U.S. and Global Inequality

A social ranking based primarily on economic position in which achieved characteristics can influence social mobility.

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10. Closed System

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Sociology Vocabulary Ch. 5 – Stratification in the U.S. and Global Inequality

A social system in which there is little or no possibility of individual mobility.

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11. Colonialism

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Sociology Vocabulary Ch. 5 – Stratification in the U.S. and Global Inequality

The maintenance of political, social, economic, and cultural domination over a people by a foreign power for an extended period.

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12. Dependency Theory

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Sociology Vocabulary Ch. 5 – Stratification in the U.S. and Global Inequality

An approach to global stratification that contends that industrialized nations exploit developing countries for their own gain.

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13. Estate System

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Sociology Vocabulary Ch. 5 – Stratification in the U.S. and Global Inequality

A system of stratification under which peasants were required to work land leased to them by nobles in exchange for military protection and other services. Also known as feudalism.

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14. Esteem

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Sociology Vocabulary Ch. 5 – Stratification in the U.S. and Global Inequality

The reputation that a specific person has earned within an occupation.

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15. False Consciousness

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Sociology Vocabulary Ch. 5 – Stratification in the U.S. and Global Inequality

A term used by Karl Marx to describe an attitude held by members of a class that does not accurately reflect its objective position.

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16. Feminization of Poverty

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Sociology Vocabulary Ch. 5 – Stratification in the U.S. and Global Inequality

A trend in which women constitute an increasing proportion of the poor people of the United States.

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17. Globalization

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Sociology Vocabulary Ch. 5 – Stratification in the U.S. and Global Inequality

The worldwide integration of government policies, cultures, social movements, and financial markets through trade and the exchange of ideas.

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18. Horizontal Mobility

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Sociology Vocabulary Ch. 5 – Stratification in the U.S. and Global Inequality

The movement of an individual from one social position to another of the same rank.

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19. Income

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Sociology Vocabulary Ch. 5 – Stratification in the U.S. and Global Inequality

Salaries and wages.

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20. Intergenerational Mobility

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Sociology Vocabulary Ch. 5 – Stratification in the U.S. and Global Inequality

Changes in the social position of children relative to their parents.

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21. Intragenerational Mobility

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Sociology Vocabulary Ch. 5 – Stratification in the U.S. and Global Inequality

Changes in a person's social position within his or her adult life.

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22. Life Chances

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Sociology Vocabulary Ch. 5 – Stratification in the U.S. and Global Inequality

Max Weber's term for people's opportunities to provide themselves with material goods, positive living conditions, and favorable life experiences.

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23. Modernization

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Sociology Vocabulary Ch. 5 – Stratification in the U.S. and Global Inequality

The far-reaching process through which developing nations move from traditional or less developed institutions to those characteristic of more developed societies.

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24. Modernization Theory

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Sociology Vocabulary Ch. 5 – Stratification in the U.S. and Global Inequality

The functionalist view that modernization and development will gradually improve the lives of people in developing nations.

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25. Multinational Corporation

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Sociology Vocabulary Ch. 5 – Stratification in the U.S. and Global Inequality

A commercial organization that is headquartered in one country but does business throughout the world.

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26. Eocolonialism

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Sociology Vocabulary Ch. 5 – Stratification in the U.S. and Global Inequality

Continuing dependence of former colonies on foreign countries.

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27. Objective Method

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Sociology Vocabulary Ch. 5 – Stratification in the U.S. and Global Inequality

A technique for measuring social class that assigns individuals to classes on the basis of criteria such as occupation, education, income, and place of residence.

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28. Open System

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Sociology Vocabulary Ch. 5 – Stratification in the U.S. and Global Inequality

A social system in which the position of each individual is influenced by his or her achieved status.

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29. Power

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Sociology Vocabulary Ch. 5 – Stratification in the U.S. and Global Inequality

The ability to exercise one's will over others.

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30. Prestige

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Sociology Vocabulary Ch. 5 – Stratification in the U.S. and Global Inequality

The respect and admiration that an occupation holds in a society.

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31. Proletariat

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Sociology Vocabulary Ch. 5 – Stratification in the U.S. and Global Inequality

Karl Marx's term for the working class in a capitalist society.

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32. Relative Poverty

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Sociology Vocabulary Ch. 5 – Stratification in the U.S. and Global Inequality

A floating standard of deprivation by which people at the bottom of a society, whatever their lifestyles, are judged to be disadvantaged in comparison with the nation as a whole.

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33. Slavery

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Sociology Vocabulary Ch. 5 – Stratification in the U.S. and Global Inequality

A system of enforced servitude in which some people are legally owned by other people.

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34. Social Inequality

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Sociology Vocabulary Ch. 5 – Stratification in the U.S. and Global Inequality

A condition in which members of a society enjoy different amounts of wealth, prestige, or power.

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35. Social Mobility

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Sociology Vocabulary Ch. 5 – Stratification in the U.S. and Global Inequality

The movement of individuals or groups from one position of a society's stratification system to another.

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36. Socioeconomic Status (SES)

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Sociology Vocabulary Ch. 5 – Stratification in the U.S. and Global Inequality

A measure of social class based on income, education, and occupation.

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37. Status Group

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Sociology Vocabulary Ch. 5 – Stratification in the U.S. and Global Inequality

A term used by Max Weber to refer to people who have the same prestige or lifestyle, independent of their class positions.

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38. Stratification

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Sociology Vocabulary Ch. 5 – Stratification in the U.S. and Global Inequality

The structured ranking of entire groups of people that perpetuates unequal economic rewards and power in a society.

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39. Vertical Mobility

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Sociology Vocabulary Ch. 5 – Stratification in the U.S. and Global Inequality

The movement of a person from one social position to another of a different rank.

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40. Wealth

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Sociology Vocabulary Ch. 5 – Stratification in the U.S. and Global Inequality

An inclusive term encompassing all a person's material assets, including land, stocks, and other property.

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41. World-Systems Analysis

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Sociology Vocabulary Ch. 5 – Stratification in the U.S. and Global Inequality

Immanuel Wallerstein's view of the global economic system as divided between certain industrialized nations that control wealth and developing countries that are controlled and exploited.

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1. Affirmative Action

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Sociology Vocabulary Ch. 6 – Inequality by Race and Ethnicity

Positive efforts to recruit members of subordinate groups or women for jobs, promotions, and educational opportunities.

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2. Color-Blind Racism

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Sociology Vocabulary Ch. 6 – Inequality by Race and Ethnicity

The use of the principle of race neutrality to defend a racially unequal status quo.

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3. Contact Hypothesis

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Sociology Vocabulary Ch. 6 – Inequality by Race and Ethnicity

An interactionist perspective that states that interracial contact between people of equal status engaged in a cooperative task will reduce prejudice.

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4. Discrimination

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Sociology Vocabulary Ch. 6 – Inequality by Race and Ethnicity

The denial of opportunities and equal rights to individuals and groups based on some type of arbitrary bias.

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5. Ethnic Group

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Sociology Vocabulary Ch. 6 – Inequality by Race and Ethnicity

A group that is set apart from others primarily because of its national origin or distinctive cultural patterns.

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6. Ethnocentrism

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Sociology Vocabulary Ch. 6 – Inequality by Race and Ethnicity

The tendency to assume that one's own culture and way of life represent the norm or are superior to all others.

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7. Exploitation Theory

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Sociology Vocabulary Ch. 6 – Inequality by Race and Ethnicity

A Marxist theory that views racial subordination in the United States as a manifestation of the class system inherent in capitalism.

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8. Glass Ceiling

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Sociology Vocabulary Ch. 6 – Inequality by Race and Ethnicity

An invisible barrier that blocks the promotion of a qualified individual in a work environment because of the individual's gender, race, or ethnicity.

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9. Hate Crime

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Sociology Vocabulary Ch. 6 – Inequality by Race and Ethnicity

A criminal offense committed because of the offender's bias against a race, religion, ethnic group, national origin, or sexual orientation.

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10. Institutional Discrimination

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Sociology Vocabulary Ch. 6 – Inequality by Race and Ethnicity

The denial of opportunities and equal rights to individuals and groups that results from the normal operations of a society.

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11. Prejudice

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Sociology Vocabulary Ch. 6 – Inequality by Race and Ethnicity

A negative attitude toward an entire category of people, often an ethnic or racial group.

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12. Racial Formation

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Sociology Vocabulary Ch. 6 – Inequality by Race and Ethnicity

A sociohistorical process in which racial categories are created, inhibited, transformed, and destroyed.

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13. Racial Group

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Sociology Vocabulary Ch. 6 – Inequality by Race and Ethnicity

A group that is set apart from others because of obvious physical differences.

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14. Racial Profiling

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Sociology Vocabulary Ch. 6 – Inequality by Race and Ethnicity

Any arbitrary action initiated by an authority based on race, ethnicity, or national origin rather than on a person's behavior.

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15. Racism

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Sociology Vocabulary Ch. 6 – Inequality by Race and Ethnicity

The belief that one race is supreme and all others are innately inferior.

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16. Stereotype

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Sociology Vocabulary Ch. 6 – Inequality by Race and Ethnicity

An unreliable generalization about all members of a group that does not recognize individual differences within the group.

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17. Symbolic Ethnicity

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Sociology Vocabulary Ch. 6 – Inequality by Race and Ethnicity

An emphasis on such concerns as ethnic food or political issues rather than on deeper ties to one's ethnic heritage.

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1. Expressiveness

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Sociology Vocabulary Ch. 7 – Inequality by Gender

A concern for the maintenance of harmony and the internal emotional affairs of the family.

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2. Gender Role

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Sociology Vocabulary Ch. 7 – Inequality by Gender

Expectations regarding the proper behavior, attitudes, and activities of males or females.

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3. Glass Ceiling

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Sociology Vocabulary Ch. 7 – Inequality by Gender

An invisible barrier that blocks the promotion of a qualified individual in a work environment because of the individual's gender, race, or ethnicity.

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4. Homophobia

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Sociology Vocabulary Ch. 7 – Inequality by Gender

Fear of and prejudice against homosexuality.

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5. Instrumentality

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Sociology Vocabulary Ch. 7 – Inequality by Gender

An emphasis on tasks, a focus on more distant goals, and a concern for the external relationship between one's family and other social institutions.

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6. Matrix of Domination

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Sociology Vocabulary Ch. 7 – Inequality by Gender

The cumulative impact of oppression because of race, gender, and class, as well as religion, sexual orientation, disability, and age.

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7. Multiple Masculinities

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Sociology Vocabulary Ch. 7 – Inequality by Gender

A variety of male gender roles, including nurturing-caring and effeminate-gay roles, that men may play along with their more pervasive traditional role of dominating women.

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8. Second Shift

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Sociology Vocabulary Ch. 7 – Inequality by Gender

The double burden—work outside the home followed by child care and housework— that many women face and few men share equitably.

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9. Sexism

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Sociology Vocabulary Ch. 7 – Inequality by Gender

The ideology that one sex is superior to the other.

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10. Sexual Harassment

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Sociology Vocabulary Ch. 7 – Inequality by Gender

Behavior that occurs when work benefits are made contingent on sexual favors.