Sociology - Basics

Sociology - Basics

1. Society

   • A group of people who share the same culture, live in the same area and feel part of that group.

2. Culture

   • The learned, shared behaviour of members of society. The way of life of a particular society. 

3. Norms

   • Guides to appropriate behaviour for particular people in particular situations. 

4. Value

   • Belief that something is important and worthwhile - right or wrong. Values translate into behaviour through a range of norms.  

5. Subculture

   • The distinctive norms & values of a group which shares many of the aspects of the mainstream culture. 

6. Social class

   • A system of social inequality in which people are grouped in terms of income, wealth, power and prestige. 

7. Gender

   • Traditionally male/female divide

8. Ethnicity/Ethnic Group

   • Seen by themselves/others as having a distinctive subculture and their own group identity. 

9. Nationality

10. Theory

    • A set of ideas which claims to explain something. 

11. Function

    • The contribution a part of society makes to society as a whole.

12. Socialisation

    • The process by which culture is learned. Primary socialisation occurs in the early years, usually within the family. 

13. Status

    • A position in society.

14. Role

    • A set of norms which defines appropriate behaviour for a particular status. 

15. Social Control

    • The methods designed to ensure members of a society conform to norms and values. 

16. Social solidarity

    • Unity, cohesion, sticking together.