Sociology CLEP Already Rated A+
Explain the concept of "socialization."
✔️✔️ Socialization is the process by which individuals learn and internalize the values, beliefs, and
norms of their culture, shaping their behaviors and roles in society.
What is the difference between "role conflict" and "role strain"?
✔️✔️ Role conflict occurs when an individual faces incompatible demands from different roles,
whereas role strain happens when there are conflicting demands within a single role.
Define "ethnocentrism" and explain its impact on societies.
✔️✔️ Ethnocentrism is the tendency to view one's own culture as superior and to judge others based
on one’s own cultural standards. This can lead to misunderstandings, discrimination, and cultural
conflicts.
What is the "looking-glass self" and who developed this concept?
✔️✔️ The "looking-glass self" is a concept by Charles Horton Cooley, describing how people shape
their self-identity based on how they believe others perceive them.
How does "mechanical solidarity" differ from "organic solidarity" according to Émile Durkheim?
✔️✔️ Mechanical solidarity is social cohesion based on shared beliefs and similarities, typical of
traditional societies. Organic solidarity arises in more complex societies where cohesion depends on
individuals fulfilling different roles and interdependence.
Describe the concept of "anomie."
✔️✔️ Anomie, introduced by Durkheim, is a state of normlessness where societal norms are unclear
or eroded, often leading to feelings of alienation and instability.
What is a "social institution"? Give an example.
, ✔️✔️ A social institution is a complex, organized set of social practices that fulfill important societal
functions, such as family, education, religion, or government.
Define "deviance" in sociological terms.
✔️✔️ Deviance refers to behaviors or actions that violate the social norms or expectations of a group
or society.
Explain the term "status" and differentiate between "ascribed status" and "achieved status."
✔️✔️ Status is a social position held by an individual in society. Ascribed status is assigned at birth
(e.g., ethnicity), while achieved status is earned through effort (e.g., profession).
What is the "conflict theory" perspective in sociology?
✔️✔️ Conflict theory, rooted in the work of Karl Marx, examines how power differentials and
inequalities create and perpetuate societal tensions, often leading to social change.
Describe "cultural relativism" and its importance in sociology.
✔️✔️ Cultural relativism is the practice of assessing a culture based on its own standards, rather than
comparing it to another culture. It promotes understanding and reduces cultural bias.
What is a "subculture"? Give an example.
✔️✔️ A subculture is a group within a larger culture that has distinct values, norms, and practices. An
example is the goth subculture.
Explain the "self-fulfilling prophecy" in social interactions.
✔️✔️ The self-fulfilling prophecy is when a belief or expectation about a person or situation influences
actions in a way that causes the belief to become true.
What is "social stratification"?
✔️✔️ Social stratification is the hierarchical arrangement of individuals in a society based on factors
such as wealth, power, and prestige.
Explain the concept of "socialization."
✔️✔️ Socialization is the process by which individuals learn and internalize the values, beliefs, and
norms of their culture, shaping their behaviors and roles in society.
What is the difference between "role conflict" and "role strain"?
✔️✔️ Role conflict occurs when an individual faces incompatible demands from different roles,
whereas role strain happens when there are conflicting demands within a single role.
Define "ethnocentrism" and explain its impact on societies.
✔️✔️ Ethnocentrism is the tendency to view one's own culture as superior and to judge others based
on one’s own cultural standards. This can lead to misunderstandings, discrimination, and cultural
conflicts.
What is the "looking-glass self" and who developed this concept?
✔️✔️ The "looking-glass self" is a concept by Charles Horton Cooley, describing how people shape
their self-identity based on how they believe others perceive them.
How does "mechanical solidarity" differ from "organic solidarity" according to Émile Durkheim?
✔️✔️ Mechanical solidarity is social cohesion based on shared beliefs and similarities, typical of
traditional societies. Organic solidarity arises in more complex societies where cohesion depends on
individuals fulfilling different roles and interdependence.
Describe the concept of "anomie."
✔️✔️ Anomie, introduced by Durkheim, is a state of normlessness where societal norms are unclear
or eroded, often leading to feelings of alienation and instability.
What is a "social institution"? Give an example.
, ✔️✔️ A social institution is a complex, organized set of social practices that fulfill important societal
functions, such as family, education, religion, or government.
Define "deviance" in sociological terms.
✔️✔️ Deviance refers to behaviors or actions that violate the social norms or expectations of a group
or society.
Explain the term "status" and differentiate between "ascribed status" and "achieved status."
✔️✔️ Status is a social position held by an individual in society. Ascribed status is assigned at birth
(e.g., ethnicity), while achieved status is earned through effort (e.g., profession).
What is the "conflict theory" perspective in sociology?
✔️✔️ Conflict theory, rooted in the work of Karl Marx, examines how power differentials and
inequalities create and perpetuate societal tensions, often leading to social change.
Describe "cultural relativism" and its importance in sociology.
✔️✔️ Cultural relativism is the practice of assessing a culture based on its own standards, rather than
comparing it to another culture. It promotes understanding and reduces cultural bias.
What is a "subculture"? Give an example.
✔️✔️ A subculture is a group within a larger culture that has distinct values, norms, and practices. An
example is the goth subculture.
Explain the "self-fulfilling prophecy" in social interactions.
✔️✔️ The self-fulfilling prophecy is when a belief or expectation about a person or situation influences
actions in a way that causes the belief to become true.
What is "social stratification"?
✔️✔️ Social stratification is the hierarchical arrangement of individuals in a society based on factors
such as wealth, power, and prestige.
