The Sociological Theory

The Sociological Theory

Sociology Exam Glossary

Sociological imagination: relationship between individual experiences and the larger society.
Non-material culture: a component of culture that consists of the abstract or intangible human creations of society (such as attitudes, beliefs and values) that influence peoples behaviours.
Ethnocentrism: the tendency to regard one’s own culture and group as standard, and thus superiors, where all other groups are seen as inferior.
Popular culture: the component of culture that consists of activities, products and services that are assumed to appeal primarily to members of the middle and working classes.
Supergo: human conscience, consisting of the moral and ethical aspects of personality.
Laws: Formal, standardized norms that have been enacted by legislatures and are enforced by formal sanctions.
Statues: A socially defined position in a group or society characterized by certain expectations, rights and duties.
Subcultures: A group of people who share a distinctive set of cultural beliefs and behaviours that differ in some significant way from that of the larger society.
Mores: Strongly held norms and ethical connotations that may not be violated with out serious consequences in particular culture.
Social group: A group that consists of two or more people who interact frequently and share a common identity and a feeling of interdependence.
Micro level analysis: Sociological theory and research that focuses on small groups rather then lager-scale social structures.
Hypothesis: Tentative statement of the relationship between two or more concepts or variables.
Sociology: The systematic study of the human society and social interaction.
Role conflict: A situation in which incompatible role demands are placed on a person by two or more statuses held at the same time.
Diffusion: The transmission of cultural items or social practices from one group or society to another.
Gender identity: A person’s perception of the...

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