Soc204

any abstract characteristic attribute that can be measured

something that points to or reflects an abstract concept

a concept whose value changes from case to case

determining the value of a variable in a specific case

value that occurs most often in a series of numbers

arithmetic average of a series of numbers

value that occurs midway in a series of numbers arranged in order of magnitude

quality of measuring precisely what one intends to measure; degree to which measurement accurately represents a particular social element that has been observed

means that it can be replicated in the results obtained; quality of consistent measurement

the variable that causes change

the variable that changes

an abstraction that is comprised of key common elements of a social phenomenon; a construct for analysis

the graphical representation of the probability density of the normal distribution

the ability to detach from the situation at hand and view things with an objective mind.

an organized pattern of social relationships and social institutions that constitute society and shape one's life situation.

social patterns that are external to the individual and observable

understanding social behavior from those participating in society; one has to understand the meaning that a behavior has for people

the ability to discern societal patterns that influence the individual as well as groups of individuals

analyzes and studies sociology as a "whole"

looks at and analyzes society at the face to face interactions

stated and intended goals of social behavior

unintended consequences of behavior

the study of human behavior in society

the application of Darwinian thought to society; the survival of the fittest is the driving force of social evolution

established and organized systems of social behavior with a particular and recognized purpose; ex: family, religion, marriage

the complex and elaborate system of meaning and behavior that defines the way of life for a group or society

rules of social behavior that guide every situation and may be formal or informal

mechanisms of social control that enforce norms

strongly shared ideas about the nature of social reality

the abstract concepts in a society that define the worth of different things and ideas

the culture of the most powerful group in society

groups whose values and cultural patterns depart significantly from the dominant culture

consists of the objects created in a given society; its buildings art, tools, toys, print and other media

includes the norms, laws, customs, ideas and beliefs of a group of people

strict norms that control moral and ethical behavior

when some parts of culture change more rapidly than others

when individuals play similar-rather than different-roles within the society

occurs when people play a great variety of roles and unity is based on role differentiation, not similarity

"community" characterized by cohesion based on friendships and loyalites

"society" characterized by cohesion based on complexity and differentiation

a collection of individuals who interact and communicate with each other, share goals and norms, and have a subjective awareness of themselves as a distinct social unit

hierarchical position in a structure

the expected behavior associated with a particular status

the relatedness of different tasks that develop in complex societies; tasks become distinct from one another, but they are stil woven into a whole

attained by virtue of individual effort

those occupied from the moment a person is born

includes all the roles occupied by the person at a given time

a process by wich we imitate the behavior of another person we admire who is in a particular role