AAMI SOCIOLOGY FINAL STUDY GUIDE
Sociology - Answer -the study of social groups, their modes of organization, the
processes which tend to maintain or change these forms, and the relationships between
the groups
Thanatology - Answer -the study of death and dying
Funeral Rite - Answer -an all-inclusive term used to encompass all funerals and/or
memorial services
Funeral - Answer -any rite performed with the body present
Memorial Service - Answer -any rite performed without the body present
Symbol - Answer -anything to which socially created meaning is given
Rite - Answer -any EVENT performed in a solemn and prescribed manner
Ritual (Ceremony) - Answer -any action performed during a rite which may or may not
have symbolic meaning to the participants or observers of the action
Rites of Passage - Answer -Ceremonies centering around transition in life from one
status to another (ex: Baptism, marriage and the funeral).
Cultural Universals - Answer -common traits or patterns found in all cultures of
humankind
Culture - Answer -a set of knowledge, beliefs, attitudes and rules for behavior that are
held commonly within a society
Culture consists of - Answer -abstract patterns (the rules, ideas, beliefs shared by
members of society) of and for the living and dying, which are learned directly or
indirectly.
Direct Learning - Answer -the acquiring of the culture by a person through deliberate
instruction by other members of that society (ex. learning to count, the alphabet, etc.)
Indirect Learning - Answer -is a process by which a person learns the norms of his or
her culture by observation of others in society
Customs - Answer -social behavior which is considered to be normal and based on
tradition. Social behavior that is dictated by the tradition of the people
, Mores - Answer -"MUST" behavior; the basic and important patterns of ideas and acts
of a people as related to treatment of the dead, which calls for a strong reaction from
society if violated. They are rules of behavior which are considered vital to the welfare of
the group and accompanied by relatively severe sanctions if violated
Taboos - Answer -a social prohibition of certain actions; a behavior which dictates that
one "MUST ABSTAIN" from certain acts. "MUST NOT" behavior. Behavior that is
banned or forbidden.
Laws - Answer -are procedures required by those who govern, rather than the culture.
A law is a must behavior not necessarily a basic or important pattern of a people, but
one which is enforced by those governing; a rule of action prescribed by an authority
able to enforce its will
Rules - Answer -are specified methods of procedure. They are specific steps and
regulations employed to carry out the law
Folkways - Answer -are behaviors that are somewhat less compulsive than mores and
do not call for strong reactions. When folkways are violated only informal sanctions such
as scolding or ridicule will occur
Religion - Answer -is composed of entrenched behaviors which include sacred beliefs;
emotional feelings about those beliefs and overt conduct
Four Major Funeral Rites - Answer -traditional, adaptive, humanistic, primitive
Traditional Funeral Rite - Answer -a funeral rite that follows a prescribed ritual or
ceremony that may be dictated either by religious belief or social custom.
Adaptive Funeral Rite - Answer -A funeral rite that is adjusted to the needs and wants
of those directly involved; one which has been altered to suit the trends of the times.
Humanistic Funeral Rite - Answer -a funeral rite that is devoid of any religious
connotation.
Primitive Funeral Rite - Answer -A rite that can be identified with a pre-literate society
Immediate Disposition - Answer -Any disposition of a human remains which is
completely devoid of any form of funeral rite at the time of disposition.
Enculturation (socialization) - Answer -The method by which the social values are
internalized (learned)
Ethnocentrism - Answer -belief in the superiority of one's nation or ethnic group
Sociology - Answer -the study of social groups, their modes of organization, the
processes which tend to maintain or change these forms, and the relationships between
the groups
Thanatology - Answer -the study of death and dying
Funeral Rite - Answer -an all-inclusive term used to encompass all funerals and/or
memorial services
Funeral - Answer -any rite performed with the body present
Memorial Service - Answer -any rite performed without the body present
Symbol - Answer -anything to which socially created meaning is given
Rite - Answer -any EVENT performed in a solemn and prescribed manner
Ritual (Ceremony) - Answer -any action performed during a rite which may or may not
have symbolic meaning to the participants or observers of the action
Rites of Passage - Answer -Ceremonies centering around transition in life from one
status to another (ex: Baptism, marriage and the funeral).
Cultural Universals - Answer -common traits or patterns found in all cultures of
humankind
Culture - Answer -a set of knowledge, beliefs, attitudes and rules for behavior that are
held commonly within a society
Culture consists of - Answer -abstract patterns (the rules, ideas, beliefs shared by
members of society) of and for the living and dying, which are learned directly or
indirectly.
Direct Learning - Answer -the acquiring of the culture by a person through deliberate
instruction by other members of that society (ex. learning to count, the alphabet, etc.)
Indirect Learning - Answer -is a process by which a person learns the norms of his or
her culture by observation of others in society
Customs - Answer -social behavior which is considered to be normal and based on
tradition. Social behavior that is dictated by the tradition of the people
, Mores - Answer -"MUST" behavior; the basic and important patterns of ideas and acts
of a people as related to treatment of the dead, which calls for a strong reaction from
society if violated. They are rules of behavior which are considered vital to the welfare of
the group and accompanied by relatively severe sanctions if violated
Taboos - Answer -a social prohibition of certain actions; a behavior which dictates that
one "MUST ABSTAIN" from certain acts. "MUST NOT" behavior. Behavior that is
banned or forbidden.
Laws - Answer -are procedures required by those who govern, rather than the culture.
A law is a must behavior not necessarily a basic or important pattern of a people, but
one which is enforced by those governing; a rule of action prescribed by an authority
able to enforce its will
Rules - Answer -are specified methods of procedure. They are specific steps and
regulations employed to carry out the law
Folkways - Answer -are behaviors that are somewhat less compulsive than mores and
do not call for strong reactions. When folkways are violated only informal sanctions such
as scolding or ridicule will occur
Religion - Answer -is composed of entrenched behaviors which include sacred beliefs;
emotional feelings about those beliefs and overt conduct
Four Major Funeral Rites - Answer -traditional, adaptive, humanistic, primitive
Traditional Funeral Rite - Answer -a funeral rite that follows a prescribed ritual or
ceremony that may be dictated either by religious belief or social custom.
Adaptive Funeral Rite - Answer -A funeral rite that is adjusted to the needs and wants
of those directly involved; one which has been altered to suit the trends of the times.
Humanistic Funeral Rite - Answer -a funeral rite that is devoid of any religious
connotation.
Primitive Funeral Rite - Answer -A rite that can be identified with a pre-literate society
Immediate Disposition - Answer -Any disposition of a human remains which is
completely devoid of any form of funeral rite at the time of disposition.
Enculturation (socialization) - Answer -The method by which the social values are
internalized (learned)
Ethnocentrism - Answer -belief in the superiority of one's nation or ethnic group
