Sociology
The systematic study of the relationship between the individual and society and of the
consequences of difference.
Sociological imagination
an awareness of the relationship between an individual and the wider society, both
today and in the past
Functionalist perspective
A sociological approach that emphasizes the way that the parts of society are structued
to maintain its stability.
Conflict perspective
A sociological approach that assumes that social behavior is best understood in terms
of tension between groups over power or the allocation of resources, including housing,
money, access to services, and political representation.
Interactionist perspective
A sociological approach that generalizes about everyday forms of social interaction in
order to explain society as a whole.
Private troubles
Obstacles that individuals face as individuals rather than as a consequence of their
social position.
Public issues
Obstacles that individuals in similar positions face;also referred to by sociologists as
"social problems."
Agency
The freedom individuals have to choose and to act.
Social inequality
a condition in which members of society have differing amounts of wealth, prestige, or
power.
Science
The body of knowledge obtained by methods based on systematic observation.
Natural Science
The study of the physical features of nature and the ways in which they interact and
change.
Social science
the study of the social features of humans and the ways in which they interact and
change
Theory
In sociology a set of statements that seeks to explain problems, actions, or be
Anomie
The loss of direction felt in a society when social control of individual behavior has
become ineffective.
Macrosociology
, Sociological investigation that concentrates on large-scale phenomena or entire
civilizations.
Microsociology
Sociological investigation that stresses the study of small groups and the analysis of our
everyday experiences and interactions.
Applied sociology
The use of the discipline of sociology with the specific intent of yielding practical
applications for human behavior and organizations.
Clinical sociology
The use of the discipline of sociology with the specific intent of altering social
relationships or restructuring social institutions.
Globalization
The worldwide integration of government policies, cultures, social movements, and
financial markets through trade and the exchange of ideas.
Scientific method
A systematic, organized series of steps that ensures maximum objectivity and
consistency in researching a problem.
Operational definition
Transformation of an abstract concept into indicators that are observable and
measurable.
Hypothesis
A testable statement about the relationship between two or more variables.
Variable
A measurable trait or characteristic that is subject to change under different conditions.
Independent variable
The variable in a causal relationship that causes of influences a change in a second
variable.
Dependent variable
The variable in a causal relationship that is subject to the influence of another variable.
Causal logic
The relationship between a condition or variable and a particular consequence, with one
event leading to the other.
Correlation
A relationship between two variables in which a change in one coincides with a change
in the other.
Sample
A selection of a larger population that is statistically representative of that population.
Random sample
A sample for which every member of an entire population has the same chance of being
selected.
Validity
The degree to which a measure or scale truly reflects the phenomenon under study.
Reliability
The extent to which a measure produces consistent results.
Control variable
A factor that is held constant to test the relative impact of an independent variable.
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