Society: The Basics-Chapter 1

Sociology

The systematic study of human society.

Sociological Perspective

The special point of view of sociology that sees general patterns of society in the lives of particular people.

Global Perspective

The study of the larger world and our society's place in it.

High-Income Countries

The Nations with the highest overall standards of living.

Middle-Income Countries

Nations with a standard of living about average for the world as a whole.

Low-Income Countries

Nations with a low standard of living in which most people are poor.

Positivism

A scientific approach to knowledge based on "positive" facts as opposed to mere speculation.

Theory

A statement of how and why specific facts are related.

Theoretical Approach

A basic image of society that guides thinking and research.

Structual-Functional Approach

A framework for building theory that sees society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stability.

Social Structure

Any relatively stable pattern of social behavior.

Social Functions

The consequences of a social pattern for the operation of society as a whole.

Manifest Functions

The recognized and intended consequences of any social pattern.

Latent Functions

The unrecognized and unintended consequences of any social pattern.

Social Dysfunctional

Any social pattern that may disrupt the operation of society.

Social-Conflict Approach

A framework for building theory that sees society as an arena of inequality that generates conflict and change.

Gender-Conflict Approach

A point of view that focuses on inequality and conflict between women and men.

Feminism

Support of a social equality for women and men.

Race-Conflict Approach

A point of view that focuses on inequality and conflict between people of different racial and ethnic categories.

Macro-Level Orientation

A broad focus on social structures that shape society as a whole.

Micro-Level Orientation

A close-up focus on social interaction in specific situations.

Symbolic-Interaction Approach

A framework for building theory that sees society as the product of the everyday interactions of individuals.

Sociology

The systematic study of human society.

Sociological Perspective

The special point of view of sociology that sees general patterns of society in the lives of particular people.

Global Perspective

The study of the larger world and our society's place in it.

High-Income Countries

The Nations with the highest overall standards of living.

Middle-Income Countries

Nations with a standard of living about average for the world as a whole.

Low-Income Countries

Nations with a low standard of living in which most people are poor.

Positivism

A scientific approach to knowledge based on "positive" facts as opposed to mere speculation.

Theory

A statement of how and why specific facts are related.

Theoretical Approach

A basic image of society that guides thinking and research.

Structual-Functional Approach

A framework for building theory that sees society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stability.

Social Structure

Any relatively stable pattern of social behavior.

Social Functions

The consequences of a social pattern for the operation of society as a whole.

Manifest Functions

The recognized and intended consequences of any social pattern.

Latent Functions

The unrecognized and unintended consequences of any social pattern.

Social Dysfunctional

Any social pattern that may disrupt the operation of society.

Social-Conflict Approach

A framework for building theory that sees society as an arena of inequality that generates conflict and change.

Gender-Conflict Approach

A point of view that focuses on inequality and conflict between women and men.

Feminism

Support of a social equality for women and men.

Race-Conflict Approach

A point of view that focuses on inequality and conflict between people of different racial and ethnic categories.

Macro-Level Orientation

A broad focus on social structures that shape society as a whole.

Micro-Level Orientation

A close-up focus on social interaction in specific situations.

Symbolic-Interaction Approach

A framework for building theory that sees society as the product of the everyday interactions of individuals.