chapters 1-6 terms for Midterm
Questions and Answers.
Sociology - Answer the systematic study of human society
society - Answer people who interact in a defined territory and share a culture
sociological perspective - Answer sociology's special point of view that sees general patterns
of society in the lives of particular people
global perspective - Answer the study of the larger world and our society's place in it
high-income countries - Answer the nations with the highest overall standards of living
middle-income countries - Answer nations with a standard of living about average for the
world as a whole
low-income countries - Answer nations with a low standard of living in which most people are
poor
Positivism - Answer a scientific approach to knowledge based on "positive" facts as opposed
to mere speculation
Theory - Answer a statement of how and why specific facts are related
theoretical approach - Answer a basic image of society that guides thinking and research
structural-functional approach - Answer a framework for building theory that sees society as a
complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stability
social structure - Answer any relatively stable pattern of social behavior
social functions - Answer the consequences of any social pattern for the operation of society
as a whole
, manifest functions - Answer the recognized and intended consequences of any social pattern
latent functions - Answer the unrecognized and unintended consequences of any social
pattern
social dysfunction - Answer any social pattern that may disrupt the operation of society
social-conflict approach - Answer a framework for building theory that sees society as an
arena of inequality that generates conflict and change
gender-conflict theory (feminist theory) - Answer the study of society that focuses on
inequality and conflict between women and men
Feminism - Answer support of social equality for women and men, in opposition to patriarchy
and sexism
race-conflict theory - Answer the study of society that focuses on inequality and conflict
between people of different racial and ethnic categories
macro-level orientation - Answer a broad focus on social structures that shape society as a
whole
micro-level orientation - Answer a close-up focus on social interaction in specific situations
Symbolic-interaction approach - Answer a framework for building theory that sees society as
the product of the everyday interactions of individuals
Science - Answer a logical system that bases knowledge on direct, systematic observation
empirical evidence - Answer information we can verify with our senses
positivist sociology - Answer the study of society based on systematic observation of social
behavior
concept - Answer a mental construct that represents some part of the world in a simplified
form
Variable - Answer a concept whose value changes from case to case