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Absolutepoverty
Aminimumlevelofsubsistencethatnofamilyshouldbeexpectedtolivebelow.
Achievedstatus
Asocialpositionthatapersonattainslargelythroughhisorherownefforts.
Activitytheory
Aninteractionisttheoryofagingthatsuggeststhatthoseelderlypeoplewhoremainactiveandsociallyinvolvedwillbe
bestadjusted.
Adoption
Inalegalsense,aprocessthatallowsforthetransferofthelegalrights,responsibilities,andprivilegesofparenthoodto
anewlegalparentorparents.
Affirmativeaction
Positiveeffortstorecruitminoritygroupmembersorwomenforjobs,promotions,andeducationalopportunities.
Ageism
Prejudiceanddiscriminationbasedonaperson'sage.
Agrariansociety
Themosttechnologicallyadvancedformofpreindustrialsociety.Membersareengagedprimarilyintheproductionof
food,butincreasetheircropyieldsthroughtechnologicalinnovationssuchastheplow.
Alienation
Aconditionofestrangementordissociationfromthesurroundingsociety.
Amalgamation
Theprocessthroughwhichamajoritygroupandaminoritygroupcombinetoformanewgroup.
Anomie
Durkheim'stermforthelossofdirectionfeltinasocietywhensocialcontrolofindividualbehaviorhasbecome
ineffective.
Anomietheoryof
deviance
RobertMerton'stheoryofdevianceasanadaptationofsociallyprescribedgoalsorofthemeansgoverningtheir
attainment,orboth.
ChooseaChapter
Anticipatorysocialization Processesofsocializationinwhichaperson"rehearses"forfuturepositions,occupations,andsocialrelationships.
AntiSemitism
AntiJewishprejudice.
Apartheid
AformerpolicyoftheSouthAfricangovernment,designedtomaintaintheseparationofBlacksandothernonWhites
fromthedominantWhites.
Appliedsociology
Theuseofthedisciplineofsociologywiththespecificintentofyieldingpracticalapplicationsforhumanbehaviorand
organizations.
Argot
Specializedlanguageusedbymembersofagrouporsubculture.
Ascribedstatus
Asocialpositionassignedtoapersonbysocietywithoutregardfortheperson'suniquetalentsorcharacteristics.
Assemblingperspective
AtheoryofcollectivebehaviorintroducedbyMcPhailandMillerthatseekstoexaminehowandwhypeoplemovefrom
differentpointsinspacetoacommonlocation.
Assimilation
Theprocessthroughwhichapersonforsakeshisorherownculturaltraditiontobecomepartofadifferentculture.
Authority
Institutionalizedpowerthatisrecognizedbythepeopleoverwhomitisexercised.
Avatar
Athreedimensionalmodel,twodimensionalicon,orconstructedpersonalitythatisassumedbytheuserofanInternet
site.
Basicsociology
Sociologicalinquiryconductedwiththeobjectiveofgainingamoreprofoundknowledgeofthefundamentalaspectsof
socialphenomena.Alsoknownaspuresociology.
Bilateraldescent
Akinshipsysteminwhichbothsidesofaperson'sfamilyareregardedasequallyimportant.
Bilingualism
Theuseoftwoormorelanguagesinaparticularsetting,suchastheworkplaceorschoolroom,treatingeachlanguage
asequallylegitimate.
Birthrate
Thenumberoflivebirthsper1,000populationinagivenyear.Alsoknownasthecrudebirthrate.
Blackpower
Apoliticalphilosophy,promotedbymanyyoungerBlacksinthe1960s,thatsupportedthecreationofBlackcontrolled
politicalandeconomicinstitutions.
Borderlands
TheareaofcommonculturealongtheborderbetweenMexicoandtheUnitedStates.
Bourgeoisie
KarlMarx'stermforthecapitalistclass,comprisingtheownersofthemeansofproduction.
Braindrain
TheimmigrationtotheUnitedStatesandotherindustrializednationsofskilledworkers,professionals,andtechnicians
whoaredesperatelyneededintheirhomecountries.
Bureaucracy
Acomponentofformalorganizationthatusesrulesandhierarchicalrankingtoachieveefficiency.
Bureaucratization
Theprocessbywhichagroup,organization,orsocialmovementbecomesincreasinglybureaucratic.
Capitalism
Aneconomicsysteminwhichthemeansofproductionareheldlargelyinprivatehandsandthemainincentivefor
economicactivityistheaccumulationofprofits.
Caste
Ahereditaryrank,usuallyreligiouslydictated,thattendstobefixedandimmobile.
Causallogic
Therelationshipbetweenaconditionorvariableandaparticularconsequence,withoneeventleadingtotheother.
Census
Anenumeration,orcounting,ofapopulation.
Charismaticauthority
MaxWeber'stermforpowermadelegitimatebyaleader'sexceptionalpersonaloremotionalappealtohisorher
followers.
Class
Agroupofpeoplewhohaveasimilarlevelofwealthandincome.
Classconsciousness
InKarlMarx'sview,asubjectiveawarenessheldbymembersofaclassregardingtheircommonvestedinterestsand
needforcollectivepoliticalactiontobringaboutsocialchange.
Classsystem
Asocialrankingbasedprimarilyoneconomicpositioninwhichachievedcharacteristicscaninfluencesocialmobility.
Classicaltheory
Anapproachtothestudyofformalorganizationsthatviewsworkersasbeingmotivatedalmostentirelybyeconomic
rewards.
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Glossary
Clinicalsociology
Theuseofthedisciplineofsociologywiththespecificintentofalteringsocialrelationshipsorrestructuringsocial
institutions.
Closedsystem
Asocialsysteminwhichthereislittleornopossibilityofindividualsocialmobility.
Coalition
Atemporaryorpermanentalliancegearedtowardacommongoal.
Codeofethics
Thestandardsofacceptablebehaviordevelopedbyandformembersofaprofession.
Cognitivetheoryof
development
JeanPiaget'stheorythatchildren'sthoughtprogressesthroughfourstagesofdevelopment.
Cohabitation
Thepracticeoflivingtogetherasamalefemalecouplewithoutmarrying.
Collectivebehavior
IntheviewofsociologistNeilSmelser,therelativelyspontaneousandunstructuredbehaviorofagroupofpeoplewho
arereactingtoacommoninfluenceinanambiguoussituation.
Colonialism
Themaintenanceofpolitical,social,economic,andculturaldominationoverapeoplebyaforeignpowerforanextended
period.
Colorblindracism
Theuseoftheprincipleofraceneutralitytodefendaraciallyunequalstatusquo.
Communism
Asanidealtype,aneconomicsystemunderwhichallpropertyiscommunallyownedandnosocialdistinctionsaremade
onthebasisofpeople'sabilitytoproduce.
Community
Aspatialorpoliticalunitofsocialorganizationthatgivespeopleasenseofbelonging,basedeitheronsharedresidencein
aparticularplaceoronacommonidentity.
Concentriczonetheory
AtheoryofurbangrowthdevisedbyErnestBurgessthatseesgrowthintermsofaseriesofringsradiatingfromthe
centralbusinessdistrict.
Conflictperspective
Asociologicalapproachthatassumesthatsocialbehaviorisbestunderstoodintermsoftensionbetweengroupsover
powerortheallocationofresources,includinghousing,money,accesstoservices,andpoliticalrepresentation.
Conformity
Goingalongwithpeersindividualsofourownstatuswhohavenospecialrighttodirectourbehavior.
Contacthypothesis
Aninteractionistperspectivewhichstatesthatincooperativecircumstances,interracialcontactbetweenpeopleofequal
statuswillreduceprejudice.
Contentanalysis
Thesystematiccodingandobjectiverecordingofdata,guidedbysomerationale.
Controlgroup
Thesubjectsinanexperimentwhoarenotintroducedtotheindependentvariablebytheresearcher.
Controltheory
Aviewofconformityanddeviancethatsuggeststhatourconnectiontomembersofsocietyleadsustosystematically
conformtosociety'snorms.
Controlvariable
Afactorthatisheldconstanttotesttherelativeimpactofanindependentvariable.
Corporatewelfare
Taxbreaks,directpayments,andgrantsthatthegovernmentmakestocorporations.
Correlation
Arelationshipbetweentwovariablesinwhichachangeinonecoincideswithachangeintheother.
Correspondenceprinciple AtermusedbyBowlesandGintistorefertothetendencyofschoolstopromotethevaluesexpectedofindividualsin
eachsocialclassandtopreparestudentsforthetypesofjobstypicallyheldbymembersoftheirclass.
Counterculture
Asubculturethatdeliberatelyopposescertainaspectsofthelargerculture.
Craze
Anexcitingmassinvolvementthatlastsforarelativelylongperiod.
Creationism
AliteralinterpretationoftheBibleregardingthecreationofhumanityandtheuniverse,usedtoarguethatevolution
shouldnotbepresentedasestablishedscientificfact.
Credentialism
Anincreaseinthelowestlevelofeducationrequiredtoenterafield.
Crime
Aviolationofcriminallawforwhichsomegovernmentalauthorityappliesformalpenalties.
Crosstabulation
Atableormatrixthatshowstherelationshipbetweentwoormorevariables.
Crowd
Atemporarygatheringofpeopleincloseproximitywhoshareacommonfocusorinterest.
Culturalcapital
Noneconomicgoods,suchasfamilybackgroundandeducation,whicharereflectedinaknowledgeoflanguageandthe
arts.
Culturalconvergence
Theflowofcontentacrossmultiplemedia,andtheaccompanyingmigrationofmediaaudiences.
Culturalrelativism
Theviewingofpeople'sbehaviorfromtheperspectiveoftheirownculture.
Culturaltransmission
Aschoolofcriminologythatarguesthatcriminalbehaviorislearnedthroughsocialinteractions.
Culturaluniversal
Acommonpracticeorbelieffoundineveryculture.
Culture
Thetotalityoflearned,sociallytransmittedcustoms,knowledge,materialobjects,andbehavior.
Cultureindustry
Theworldwidemediaindustrythatstandardizesthegoodsandservicesdemandedbyconsumers.
Culturelag
Aperiodofmaladjustmentwhenthenonmaterialcultureisstillstrugglingtoadapttonewmaterialconditions.
Cultureshock
Thefeelingofsurpriseanddisorientationthatpeopleexperiencewhentheyencounterculturalpracticesthatare
differentfromtheirown.
Culturewar
Thepolarizationofsocietyovercontroversialculturalelements.
Cultureboundsyndrome Adiseaseorillnessthatcannotbeunderstoodapartfromitsspecificsocialcontext.
Curanderismo
Latinofolkmedicine,aformofholistichealthcareandhealing.
Deathrate
Thenumberofdeathsper1,000populationinagivenyear.Alsoknownasthecrudedeathrate.
Degradationceremony
Anaspectofthesocializationprocesswithinsometotalinstitutions,inwhichpeoplearesubjectedtohumiliatingrituals.
Deindustrialization
Thesystematic,widespreadwithdrawalofinvestmentinbasicaspectsofproductivity,suchasfactoriesandplants.
Democracy
Inaliteralsense,governmentbythepeople.
Demographictransition
Atermusedtodescribethechangefromhighbirthratesanddeathratestolowbirthratesanddeathrates.
Demography
Thescientificstudyofpopulation.
Denomination
Alarge,organizedreligionthatisnotofficiallylinkedtothestateorgovernment.
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Glossary
Dependencytheory
Anapproachthatcontendsthatindustrializednationscontinuetoexploitdevelopingcountriesfortheirowngain.
Dependentvariable
Thevariableinacausalrelationshipthatissubjecttotheinfluenceofanothervariable.
Deviance
Behaviorthatviolatesthestandardsofconductorexpectationsofagrouporsociety.
Dictatorship
Agovernmentinwhichonepersonhasnearlytotalpowertomakeandenforcelaws.
Differentialassociation
AtheoryofdevianceproposedbyEdwinSutherlandthatholdsthatviolationofrulesresultsfromexposuretoattitudes
favorabletocriminalacts.
Differentialjustice
Differencesinthewaysocialcontrolisexercisedoverdifferentgroups.
Diffusion
Theprocessbywhichaculturalitemspreadsfromgrouptogrouporsocietytosociety.
Digitaldivide
Therelativelackofaccesstothelatesttechnologiesamonglowincomegroups,racialandethnicminorities,rural
residents,andthecitizensofdevelopingcountries.
Disaster
Asuddenordisruptiveeventorsetofeventsthatovertaxesacommunity'sresources,sothatoutsideaidisnecessary.
Discovery
Theprocessofmakingknownorsharingtheexistenceofanaspectofreality.
Discrimination
Thedenialofopportunitiesandequalrightstoindividualsandgroupsbecauseofprejudiceorotherarbitraryreasons.
Disengagementtheory
Afunctionalisttheoryofagingthatsuggeststhatsocietyandtheagingindividualmutuallysevermanyoftheir
relationships.
Domesticpartnership
Twounrelatedadultswhoshareamutuallycaringrelationship,residetogether,andagreetobejointlyresponsiblefor
theirdependents,basiclivingexpenses,andothercommonnecessities.
Dominantideology
Asetofculturalbeliefsandpracticesthathelpstomaintainpowerfulsocial,economic,andpoliticalinterests.
Doubleconsciousness
Thedivisionofanindividual'sidentityintotwoormoresocialrealities.
Downsizing
Reductionstakeninacompany'sworkforceaspartofdeindustrialization.
Dramaturgicalapproach
Aviewofsocialinteraction,popularizedbyErvingGoffman,inwhichpeopleareseenastheatricalperformers.
Dyad
Atwomembergroup.
Dysfunction
Anelementorprocessofasocietythatmaydisruptthesocialsystemorreduceitsstability.
Ecclesia
Areligiousorganizationthatclaimstoincludemostorallmembersofasocietyandisrecognizedasthenationalor
officialreligion.
Economicsystem
Thesocialinstitutionthroughwhichgoodsandservicesareproduced,distributed,andconsumed.
Education
Aformalprocessoflearninginwhichsomepeopleconsciouslyteachwhileothersadoptthesocialroleoflearner.
Egalitarianfamily
Anauthoritypatterninwhichspousesareregardedasequals.
Elitemodel
Aviewofsocietyasbeingruledbyasmallgroupofindividualswhoshareacommonsetofpoliticalandeconomic
interests.
Emergentnorm
perspective
AtheoryofcollectivebehaviorproposedbyTurnerandKillianthatholdsthatacollectivedefinitionofappropriateand
inappropriatebehavioremergesduringepisodesofcollectivebehavior.
Endogamy
Therestrictionofmateselectiontopeoplewithinthesamegroup.
Environmentaljustice
Alegalstrategybasedonclaimsthatracialminoritiesaresubjecteddisproportionatelytoenvironmentalhazards.
Equilibriummodel
TalcottParsons'sfunctionalistviewthatsocietytendstowardastateofstabilityorbalance.
Establishedsect
J.MiltonYinger'stermforareligiousgroupthatistheoutgrowthofasect,yetremainsisolatedfromsociety.
Estatesystem
Asystemofstratificationunderwhichpeasantswererequiredtoworklandleasedtothembynoblesinexchangefor
militaryprotectionandotherservices.Alsoknownasfeudalism.
Esteem
Thereputationthataspecificpersonhasearnedwithinanoccupation.
Ethnicgroup
Agroupthatissetapartfromothersprimarilybecauseofitsnationaloriginordistinctiveculturalpatterns.
Ethnocentrism
Thetendencytoassumethatone'sowncultureandwayofliferepresentthenormoraresuperiortoallothers.
Ethnography
Thestudyofanentiresocialsettingthroughextendedsystematicobservation.
Euthanasia
Theactofbringingaboutthedeathofahopelesslyillandsufferingpersoninarelativelyquickandpainlesswayfor
reasonsofmercy.
Evolutionarytheory
Atheoryofsocialchangethatholdsthatsocietyismovinginadefinitedirection.
Exogamy
Therequirementthatpeopleselectamateoutsidecertaingroups.
Experiment
Anartificiallycreatedsituationthatallowsaresearchertomanipulatevariables.
Experimentalgroup
Thesubjectsinanexperimentwhoareexposedtoanindependentvariableintroducedbyaresearcher.
Exploitationtheory
AMarxisttheorythatviewsracialsubordinationintheUnitedStatesasamanifestationoftheclasssysteminherentin
capitalism.
Expressiveness
Concernforthemaintenanceofharmonyandtheinternalemotionalaffairsofthefamily.
Extendedfamily
Afamilyinwhichrelativessuchasgrandparents,aunts,orunclesliveinthesamehomeasparentsandtheir
children.
Facework
AtermusedbyErvingGoffmantorefertotheeffortspeoplemaketomaintaintheproperimageandavoidpublic
embarrassment.
Fad
Atemporarypatternofbehaviorthatinvolveslargenumbersofpeopleandisindependentofprecedingtrends.
Falseconsciousness
AtermusedbyKarlMarxtodescribeanattitudeheldbymembersofaclassthatdoesnotaccuratelyreflecttheir
objectiveposition.
Familism
Prideintheextendedfamily,expressedthroughthemaintenanceofclosetiesandstrongobligationstokinfolkoutside
theimmediatefamily.
Family
Asetofpeoplerelatedbyblood,marriageorsomeotheragreeduponrelationship,oradoption,whosharetheprimary
responsibilityforreproductionandcaringformembersofsociety.
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Glossary
Fashion
Apleasurablemassinvolvementthathasalineofhistoricalcontinuity.
Feminism
Thebeliefinsocial,economic,andpoliticalequalityforwomen.
Feministview
Asociologicalapproachthatviewsinequityingenderascentraltoallbehaviorandorganization.
Feminizationofpoverty
AtrendinwhichwomenconstituteanincreasingproportionofthepoorpeopleoftheUnitedStates.
Fertility
Thelevelofreproductioninasociety.
Folkway
Anormgoverningeverydaybehaviorwhoseviolationraisescomparativelylittleconcern.
Force
Theactualorthreateneduseofcoerciontoimposeone'swillonothers.
Formalnorm
Anormthathasbeenwrittendownandthatspecifiesstrictpunishmentsforviolators.
Formalorganization
Agroupdesignedforaspecialpurposeandstructuredformaximumefficiency.
Formalsocialcontrol
Socialcontrolthatiscarriedoutbyauthorizedagents,suchaspoliceofficers,judges,schooladministrators,and
employers.
Functionalistperspective Asociologicalapproachthatemphasizesthewayinwhichthepartsofasocietyarestructuredtomaintainitsstability.
Fundamentalism
Rigidadherencetofundamentalreligiousdoctrines,oftenaccompaniedbyaliteralapplicationofscriptureorhistorical
beliefstotoday'sworld.
Gatekeeping
Theprocessbywhicharelativelysmallnumberofpeopleinthemediaindustrycontrolwhatmaterialeventuallyreaches
theaudience.
Gemeinschaft
AtermusedbyFerdinandTnniestodescribeacloseknitcommunity,oftenfoundinruralareas,inwhichstrong
personalbondsunitemembers.
Genderrole
Expectationsregardingtheproperbehavior,attitudes,andactivitiesofmalesandfemales.
Generalizedother
AtermusedbyGeorgeHerbertMeadtorefertotheattitudes,viewpoints,andexpectationsofsocietyasawholethata
childtakesintoaccountinhisorherbehavior.
Genocide
Thedeliberate,systematickillingofanentirepeopleornation.
Gentrification
Theresettlementoflowincomecityneighborhoodsbyprosperousfamiliesandbusinessfirms.
Gerontology
Thescientificstudyofthesociologicalandpsychologicalaspectsofagingandtheproblemsoftheaged.
Gesellschaft
AtermusedbyFerdinandTnniestodescribeacommunity,oftenurban,thatislargeandimpersonal,withlittle
commitmenttothegrouporconsensusonvalues.
Glassceiling
Aninvisiblebarrierthatblocksthepromotionofaqualifiedindividualinaworkenvironmentbecauseoftheindividual's
gender,race,orethnicity.
Globalization
Theworldwideintegrationofgovernmentpolicies,cultures,socialmovements,andfinancialmarketsthroughtradeand
theexchangeofideas.
Goaldisplacement
Overzealousconformitytoofficialregulationsofabureaucracy.
Grossnationalproduct
(GNP)
Thevalueofanation'sgoodsandservices.
Group
Anynumberofpeoplewithsimilarnorms,values,andexpectationswhointeractwithoneanotheronaregularbasis.
Groupthink
Uncriticalacceptanceoforconformitytotheprevailingviewpoint.
Growthrate
Thedifferencebetweenbirthsanddeaths,plusthedifferencebetweenimmigrantsandemigrants,per,population.
Hatecrime
Acriminaloffensecommittedbecauseoftheoffender'sbiasagainstarace,religion,ethnicgroup,nationalorigin,or
sexualorientation.
Hawthorneeffect
Theunintendedinfluencethatobserversofexperimentscanhaveontheirsubjects.
Health
AsdefinedbytheWorldHealthOrganization,astateofcompletephysical,mental,andsocialwellbeing,andnotmerely
theabsenceofdiseaseandinfirmity.
Hiddencurriculum
Standardsofbehaviorthataredeemedproperbysocietyandaretaughtsubtlyinschools.
Holisticmedicine
Therapiesinwhichthehealthcarepractitionerconsiderstheperson'sphysical,mental,emotional,andspiritual
characteristics.
Homogamy
Theconsciousorunconscioustendencytoselectamatewithpersonalcharacteristicssimilartoone'sown.
Homophobia
Fearofandprejudiceagainsthomosexuality.
Horizontalmobility
Themovementofanindividualfromonesocialpositiontoanotherofthesamerank.
Horticulturalsociety
Apreindustrialsocietyinwhichpeopleplantseedsandcropsratherthanmerelysubsistonavailablefoods.
Hospicecare
Treatmentoftheterminallyillintheirownhomes,orinspecialhospitalunitsorotherfacilities,withthegoalofhelping
themtodieeasily,withoutpain.
Humanecology
Anareaofstudythatisconcernedwiththeinterrelationshipsbetweenpeopleandtheirenvironment.
Humanrelations
approach
Anapproachtothestudyofformalorganizationsthatemphasizestheroleofpeople,communication,andparticipationin
abureaucracyandtendstofocusontheinformalstructureoftheorganization.
Humanrights
Universalmoralrightspossessedbyallpeoplebecausetheyarehuman.
Huntingandgathering
society
Apreindustrialsocietyinwhichpeoplerelyonwhateverfoodsandfibersarereadilyavailableinordertosurvive.
Hypothesis
Aspeculativestatementabouttherelationshipbetweentwoormorevariables.
Idealtype
Aconstructormodelforevaluatingspecificcases.
Impressionmanagement AtermusedbyErvingGoffmantorefertothealteringofthepresentationoftheselfinordertocreatedistinctive
appearancesandsatisfyparticularaudiences.
Incesttaboo
Theprohibitionofsexualrelationshipsbetweencertainculturallyspecifiedrelatives.
Incidence
Thenumberofnewcasesofaspecificdisorderthatoccurwithinagivenpopulationduringastatedperiod.
Income
Salariesandwages.
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Glossary
Independentvariable
Thevariableinacausalrelationshipthatcausesorinfluencesachangeinasecondvariable.
Indexcrimes
TheeighttypesofcrimereportedannuallybytheFBIintheUniformCrimeReports:murder,rape,robbery,assault,
burglary,theft,motorvehicletheft,andarson.
Industrialcity
Arelativelylargecitycharacterizedbyopencompetition,anopenclasssystem,andelaboratespecializationinthe
manufacturingofgoods.
Industrialsociety
Asocietythatdependsonmechanizationtoproduceitsgoodsandservices.
Infantmortalityrate
Thenumberofdeathsofinfantsunderoneyearoldper1,000livebirthsinagivenyear.
Influence
Theexerciseofpowerthroughaprocessofpersuasion.
Informaleconomy
Transfersofmoney,goods,orservicesthatarenotreportedtothegovernment.
Informalnorm
Anormthatisgenerallyunderstoodbutnotpreciselyrecorded.
Informalsocialcontrol
Socialcontrolthatiscarriedoutcasuallybyordinarypeoplethroughsuchmeansaslaughter,smiles,andridicule.
Ingroup
Anygrouporcategorytowhichpeoplefeeltheybelong.
Innovation
Theprocessofintroducinganewideaorobjecttoaculturethroughdiscoveryorinvention.
Institutional
discrimination
Thedenialofopportunitiesandequalrightstoindividualsandgroupsthatresultsfromthenormaloperationsofa
society.
Instrumentality
Anemphasisontasks,afocusonmoredistantgoals,andaconcernfortheexternalrelationshipbetweenone'sfamily
andothersocialinstitutions.
Intelligentdesign(ID)
Theideathatlifeissocomplex,itcouldonlyhavebeencreatedbyintelligentdesign.
Interactionistperspective Asociologicalapproachthatgeneralizesabouteverydayformsofsocialinteractioninordertoexplainsocietyasawhole.
Intergenerational
mobility
Changesinthesocialpositionofchildrenrelativetotheirparents.
Interview
Afacetofaceortelephonequestioningofarespondenttoobtaindesiredinformation.
Intragenerational
mobility
Changesinsocialpositionwithinaperson'sadultlife.
Invention
Thecombinationofexistingculturalitemsintoaformthatdidnotexistbefore.
Ironlawofoligarchy
AprincipleoforganizationallifedevelopedbyRobertMichels,underwhichevenademocraticorganizationwilleventually
developintoabureaucracyruledbyafewindividuals.
Kinship
Thestateofbeingrelatedtoothers.
Labelingtheory
Anapproachtodeviancethatattemptstoexplainwhycertainpeopleareviewedasdeviantswhileothersengagedinthe
samebehaviorarenot.
Laborunion
Organizedworkerswhoshareeitherthesameskillorthesameemployer.
Laissezfaire
Aformofcapitalismunderwhichpeoplecompetefreely,withminimalgovernmentinterventionintheeconomy.
Language
Anabstractsystemofwordmeaningsandsymbolsforallaspectsofcultureincludesgesturesandothernonverbal
communication.
Latentfunction
Anunconsciousorunintendedfunctionthatmayreflecthiddenpurposes.
Law
Governmentalsocialcontrol.
Liberationtheology
Useofachurch,primarilyRomanCatholicism,inapoliticalefforttoeliminatepoverty,discrimination,andotherformsof
injusticefromasecularsociety.
Lifechances
MaxWeber'stermfortheopportunitiespeoplehavetoprovidethemselveswithmaterialgoods,positivelivingconditions,
andfavorablelifeexperiences.
Lifecourseapproach
Aresearchorientationinwhichsociologistsandothersocialscientistslookcloselyatthesocialfactorsthatinfluence
peoplethroughouttheirlives,frombirthtodeath.
Lifeexpectancy
Themediannumberofyearsapersoncanbeexpectedtoliveundercurrentmortalityconditions.
Lookingglassself
AconceptusedbyCharlesHortonCooleythatemphasizestheselfastheproductofoursocialinteractions.
Luddites
Rebelliouscraftworkersin19thcenturyEnglandwhodestroyednewfactorymachineryaspartoftheirresistancetothe
IndustrialRevolution.
Machismo
Asenseofvirility,personalworth,andprideinone'smaleness.
Macrosociology
Sociologicalinvestigationthatconcentratesonlargescalephenomenaorentirecivilizations.
Manifestfunction
Anopen,stated,andconsciousfunction.
Massmedia
Printandelectronicmeansofcommunicationthatcarrymessagestowidespreadaudiences.
Masterstatus
Astatusthatdominatesothersandtherebydeterminesaperson'sgeneralpositioninsociety.
Materialculture
Thephysicalortechnologicalaspectsofourdailylives.
Matriarchy
Asocietyinwhichwomendominateinfamilydecisionmaking.
Matrilinealdescent
Akinshipsysteminwhichonlythemother'srelativesaresignificant.
Matrixofdomination
Thecumulativeimpactofoppressionbecauseofraceandethnicity,gender,andsocialclass,aswellasreligion,sexual
orientation,disability,age,andcitizenshipstatus.
McDonaldization
Theprocessbywhichtheprinciplesofthefastfoodrestaurantarecomingtodominatemoreandmoresectorsof
Americansocietyaswellasoftherestoftheworld.
Mean
Anumbercalculatedbyaddingaseriesofvaluesandthendividingbythenumberofvalues.
Mechanicalsolidarity
Acollectiveconsciousnessthatemphasizesgroupsolidarity,characteristicofsocietieswithminimaldivisionoflabor.
Median
Themidpointornumberthatdividesaseriesofvaluesintotwogroupsofequalnumbersofvalues.
Megalopolis
Adenselypopulatedareacontainingtwoormorecitiesandtheirsuburbs.
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Glossary
Mentalillness
Adisorderofthebrainthatdisruptsaperson'sthinking,feeling,andabilitytointeractwithothers.
Microfinancing
Lendingsmallsumsofmoneytothepoorsotheycanworktheirwayoutofpoverty.
Microsociology
Sociologicalinvestigationthatstressesthestudyofsmallgroups,oftenthroughexperimentalmeans.
Midlifecrisis
Astressfulperiodofselfevaluationthatbeginsataboutage40.
Migration
Therelativelypermanentmovementofpeople,withthepurposeofchangingtheirplaceofresidence.
Minoritygroup
Asubordinategroupwhosemembershavesignificantlylesscontrolorpowerovertheirownlivesthanthemembersofa
dominantormajoritygrouphaveovertheirs.
Mode
Thesinglemostcommonvalueinaseriesofscores.
Modeloridealminority
Asubordinategroupwhosememberssupposedlyhavesucceededeconomically,socially,andeducationallydespitepast
prejudiceanddiscrimination,andwithoutresortingtoconfrontationswithWhites.
Modernization
Thefarreachingprocessbywhichperipherynationsmovefromtraditionalorlessdevelopedinstitutionstothose
characteristicofmoredevelopedsocieties.
Modernizationtheory
Afunctionalistapproachthatproposesthatmodernizationanddevelopmentwillgraduallyimprovethelivesofpeoplein
developingnations.
Monarchy
Aformofgovernmentheadedbyasinglememberofaroyalfamily,usuallyaking,queen,orsomeotherhereditary
ruler.
Monogamy
Aformofmarriageinwhichonewomanandonemanaremarriedonlytoeachother.
Monopoly
Controlofamarketbyasinglebusinessfirm.
Morbidityrate
Theincidenceofdiseaseinagivenpopulation.
Mores
Normsdeemedhighlynecessarytothewelfareofasociety.
Mortalityrate
Theincidenceofdeathinagivenpopulation.
Multinationalcorporation Acommercialorganizationthatisheadquarteredinonecountrybutdoesbusinessthroughouttheworld.
Multiplemasculinities
Avarietyofmalegenderroles,includingnurturingcaringandeffeminategayroles,thatmenmayplayalongwiththeir
morepervasivetraditionalroleofdominatingwomen.
Multiplenucleitheory
AtheoryofurbangrowthdevelopedbyHarrisandUllmanthatviewsgrowthasemergingfrommanycentersof
development,eachofwhichreflectsaparticularurbanneedoractivity.
Narcotizingdysfunction
Thephenomenoninwhichthemediaprovidesuchmassiveamountsofcoveragethattheaudiencebecomesnumband
failstoactontheinformation,regardlessofhowcompellingtheissue.
Naturalscience
Thestudyofthephysicalfeaturesofnatureandthewaysinwhichtheyinteractandchange.
Naturallyoccurring
retirementcommunity
(NORC)
Anareathathasgraduallybecomeaninformalcenterforseniorcitizens.
Neocolonialism
Continuingdependenceofformercoloniesonforeigncountries.
Netneutrality
Theprinciplethatthegovernmentshouldremainnonselectiveorneutraltowardonlinecontent.
Newreligious
movement(NRM)orcult
Asmall,secretivereligiousgroupthatrepresentseitheranewreligionoramajorinnovationofanexistingfaith.
Newsocialmovement
Anorganizedcollectiveactivitythataddressesvaluesandsocialidentities,aswellasimprovementsinthequalityoflife.
Newurbansociology
Anapproachtourbanizationthatconsiderstheinterplayoflocal,national,andworldwideforcesandtheireffectonlocal
space,withspecialemphasisontheimpactofglobaleconomicactivity.
Nonmaterialculture
Waysofusingmaterialobjects,aswellascustoms,beliefs,philosophies,governments,andpatternsofcommunication.
Nonperiodicassembly
Anonrecurringgatheringofpeoplethatoftenresultsformwordofmouthinformation.
NonverbalcommunicationThesendingofmessagesthroughtheuseofgestures,facialexpressions,andpostures.
Norm
Anestablishedstandardofbehaviormaintainedbyasociety.
Nuclearfamily
Amarriedcoupleandtheirunmarriedchildrenlivingtogether.
Obedience
Compliancewithhigherauthoritiesinahierarchicalstructure.
Objectivemethod
Atechniqueformeasuringsocialclassthatassignsindividualstoclassesonthebasisofcriteriasuchasoccupation,
education,income,andplaceofresidence.
Observation
Aresearchtechniqueinwhichaninvestigatorcollectsinformationthroughdirectparticipationand/orbycloselywatching
agrouporcommunity.
Offshoring
Thetransferofworktoforeigncontractors.
Oligarchy
Aformofgovernmentinwhichafewindividualsrule.
Opensystem
Asocialsysteminwhichthepositionofeachindividualisinfluencedbyhisorherachievedstatus.
Operationaldefinition
Anexplanationofanabstractconceptthatisspecificenoughtoallowaresearchertoassesstheconcept.
Opinionleader
Someonewhoinfluencestheopinionsanddecisionsofothersthroughdaytodaypersonalcontactandcommunication.
Organicsolidarity
Acollectiveconsciousnessthatrestsonmutualinterdependence,characteristicofsocietieswithacomplexdivisionof
labor.
Organizedcrime
Theworkofagroupthatregulatesrelationsbetweencriminalenterprisesinvolvedinillegalactivities,including
prostitution,gambling,andthesmugglingandsaleofillegaldrugs.
Outgroup
Agrouporcategorytowhichpeoplefeeltheydonotbelong.
Panic
Afearfularousalorcollectiveflightbasedonageneralizedbeliefthatmayormaynotbeaccurate.
Patriarchy
Asocietyinwhichmendominateinfamilydecisionmaking.
Patrilinealdescent
Akinshipsysteminwhichonlythefather'srelativesaresignificant.
Peace
Theabsenceofwaror,morebroadly,aproactiveefforttodevelopcooperativerelationsamongnations.
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Glossary
Percentage
Aportionof100.
Periodicassembly
Arecurring,relativelyroutinegatheringofpeople,suchasacollegeclass.
Personality
Aperson'stypicalpatternsofattitudes,needs,characteristics,andbehavior.
Peterprinciple
Aprincipleoforganizationallife,originatedbyLaurenceJ.Peter,accordingtowhicheveryemployeewithinahierarchy
tendstorisetohisorherlevelofincompetence.
Pluralism
Mutualrespectforoneanother'sculturesamongthevariousgroupsinasociety,whichallowsminoritiestoexpresstheir
owncultureswithoutexperiencingprejudice.
Pluralistmodel
Aviewofsocietyinwhichmanycompetinggroupswithinthecommunityhaveaccesstogovernment,sothatnosingle
groupisdominant.
Politicalsystem
Thesocialinstitutionthatisfoundedonarecognizedsetofproceduresforimplementingandachievingsociety'sgoals.
Politics
InHaroldLasswell'swords,"whogetswhat,when,andhow."
Polyandry
Aformofpolygamyinwhichawomanmayhavemorethanonehusbandatthesametime.
Polygamy
Aformofmarriageinwhichanindividualmayhaveseveralhusbandsorwivessimultaneously.
Polygyny
Aformofpolygamyinwhichamanmayhavemorethanonewifeatthesametime.
Populationpyramid
Aspecialtypeofbarchartthatshowsthedistributionofapopulationbygenderandage.
Postindustrialcity
Acityinwhichglobalfinanceandtheelectronicflowofinformationdominatetheeconomy.
Postindustrialsociety
Asocietywhoseeconomicsystemisengagedprimarilyintheprocessingandcontrolofinformation.
Postmodernsociety
Atechnologicallysophisticatedsocietythatispreoccupiedwithconsumergoodsandmediaimages.
Power
Theabilitytoexerciseone'swilloverothers.
Powerelite
AtermusedbyC.WrightMillstorefertoasmallgroupofmilitary,industrial,andgovernmentleaderswhocontrolthe
fateoftheUnitedStates.
Precariouswork
Employmentthatispoorlypaid,andfromtheworker'sperspective,insecureandunprotected.
Preindustrialcity
Acityofonlyafewthousandpeoplethatischaracterizedbyarelativelyclosedclasssystemandlimitedmobility.
Prejudice
Anegativeattitudetowardanentirecategoryofpeople,oftenanethnicorracialminority.
Prestige
Therespectandadmirationthatanoccupationholdsinasociety.
Prevalence
Thetotalnumberofcasesofaspecificdisorderthatexistatagiventime.
Primarygroup
Asmallgroupcharacterizedbyintimate,facetofaceassociationandcooperation.
Profane
Theordinaryandcommonplaceelementsoflife,asdistinguishedfromthesacred.
Professionalcriminal
Apersonwhopursuescrimeasadaytodayoccupation,developingskilledtechniquesandenjoyingacertaindegreeof
statusamongothercriminals.
Proletariat
KarlMarx'stermfortheworkingclassinacapitalistsociety.
Protestantethic
MaxWeber'stermforthedisciplinedworkethic,thisworldlyconcerns,andrationalorientationtolifeemphasizedby
JohnCalvinandhisfollowers.
Public
Adispersedgroupofpeople,notnecessarilyincontactwithoneanother,whoshareaninterestinanissue.
Publicopinion
Expressionsofattitudesonmattersofpublicpolicythatarecommunicatedtodecisionmakers.
Qualitativeresearch
Researchthatreliesonwhatisseeninfieldornaturalisticsettingsmorethanonstatisticaldata.
Quantitativeresearch
Researchthatcollectsandreportsdataprimarilyinnumericalform.
Quasireligion
Ascholarlycategorythatincludesorganizationsthatmayseethemselvesasreligiousbutareseenbyothersas"sortof
religious."
Questionnaire
Aprintedorwrittenformusedtoobtaininformationfromarespondent.
Racialformation
Asociohistoricalprocessinwhichracialcategoriesarecreated,inhibited,transformed,anddestroyed.
Racialgroup
Agroupthatissetapartfromothersbecauseofphysicaldifferencesthathavetakenonsocialsignificance.
Racialprofiling
Anyarbitraryactioninitiatedbyanauthoritybasedonrace,ethnicity,ornationaloriginratherthanonaperson's
behavior.
Racism
Thebeliefthatoneraceissupremeandallothersareinnatelyinferior.
Randomsample
Asampleforwhicheverymemberofanentirepopulationhasthesamechanceofbeingselected.
Rationallegalauthority
Powermadelegitimatebylaw.
Referencegroup
Anygroupthatindividualsuseasastandardforevaluatingthemselvesandtheirownbehavior.
Relativedeprivation
Theconsciousfeelingofanegativediscrepancybetweenlegitimateexpectationsandpresentactualities.
Relativepoverty
Afloatingstandardofdeprivationbywhichpeopleatthebottomofasociety,whatevertheirlifestyles,arejudgedtobe
disadvantagedincomparisonwiththenationasawhole.
Reliability
Theextenttowhichameasureproducesconsistentresults.
Religion
AccordingtomileDurkheim,aunifiedsystemofbeliefsandpracticesrelativetosacredthings.
Religiousbelief
Astatementtowhichmembersofaparticularreligionadhere.
Religiousexperience
Thefeelingorperceptionofbeingindirectcontactwiththeultimatereality,suchasadivinebeing,orofbeingovercome
withreligiousemotion.
Religiousritual
Apracticerequiredorexpectedofmembersofafaith.
Remittances
Themoniesthatimmigrantsreturntotheirfamiliesoforigin.Alsocalledmigradollars.
Representative
democracy
Aformofgovernmentinwhichcertainindividualsareselectedtospeakforthepeople.
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Glossary
Researchdesign
Adetailedplanormethodforobtainingdatascientifically.
Resocialization
Theprocessofdiscardingformerbehaviorpatternsandacceptingnewonesaspartofatransitioninone'slife.
Resourcemobilization
Thewaysinwhichasocialmovementutilizessuchresourcesasmoney,politicalinfluence,accesstothemedia,and
personnel.
Riteofpassage
Aritualmarkingthesymbolictransitionfromonesocialpositiontoanother.
Roleconflict
Thesituationthatoccurswhenincompatibleexpectationsarisefromtwoormoresocialpositionsheldbythesame
person.
Roleexit
Theprocessofdisengagementfromarolethatiscentraltoone'sselfidentityinordertoestablishanewroleand
identity.
Rolestrain
Thedifficultythatariseswhenthesamesocialpositionimposesconflictingdemandsandexpectations.
Roletaking
Theprocessofmentallyassumingtheperspectiveofanotherandrespondingfromthatimaginedviewpoint.
Rumor
Apieceofinformationgatheredinformallythatisusedtointerpretanambiguoussituation.
Sacred
Elementsbeyondeverydaylifethatinspireawe,respect,andevenfear.
Sample
Aselectionfromalargerpopulationthatisstatisticallyrepresentativeofthatpopulation.
Sanction
Apenaltyorrewardforconductconcerningasocialnorm.
Sandwichgeneration
Thegenerationofadultswhosimultaneouslytrytomeetthecompetingneedsoftheirparentsandtheirchildren.
SapirWhorfhypothesis
Ahypothesisconcerningtheroleoflanguageinshapingourinterpretationofreality.Itholdsthatlanguageisculturally
determined.
Science
Thebodyofknowledgeobtainedbymethodsbasedonsystematicobservation.
Scientificmanagement
approach
Anothernamefortheclassicaltheoryofformalorganizations.
Scientificmethod
Asystematic,organizedseriesofstepsthatensuresmaximumobjectivityandconsistencyinresearchingaproblem.
Secondshift
Thedoubleburdenworkoutsidethehomefollowedbychildcareandhouseworkthatmanywomenfaceandfewmen
shareequitably.
Secondaryanalysis
Avarietyofresearchtechniquesthatmakeuseofpreviouslycollectedandpubliclyaccessibleinformationanddata.
Secondarygroup
Aformal,impersonalgroupinwhichthereislittlesocialintimacyormutualunderstanding.
Sect
Arelativelysmallreligiousgroupthathasbrokenawayfromsomeotherreligiousorganizationtorenewwhatitconsiders
theoriginalvisionofthefaith.
Secularization
Theprocessthroughwhichreligion'sinfluenceonothersocialinstitutionsdiminishes.
Segregation
Thephysicalseparationoftwogroupsofpeopleintermsofresidence,workplace,andsocialeventsoftenimposedona
minoritygroupbyadominantgroup.
Self
AccordingtoGeorgeHerbertMead,adistinctidentitythatsetsusapartfromothers.
Serialmonogamy
Aformofmarriageinwhichapersonmayhaveseveralspousesinhisorherlifetime,butonlyonespouseatatime.
Sexism
Theideologythatonesexissuperiortotheother.
Sickrole
Societalexpectationsabouttheattitudesandbehaviorofapersonviewedasbeingill.
Significantother
AtermusedbyGeorgeHerbertMeadtorefertoanindividualwhoismostimportantinthedevelopmentoftheself,such
asaparent,friend,orteacher.
Singleparentfamily
Afamilyinwhichonlyoneparentispresenttocareforthechildren.
Slavery
Asystemofenforcedservitudeinwhichsomepeopleareownedbyotherpeople.
Smallgroup
Agroupsmallenoughforallmemberstointeractsimultaneouslythatis,totalkwithoneanotheroratleastbewell
acquainted.
Socialcapital
Thecollectivebenefitofsocialnetworks,whicharebuiltonreciprocaltrust.
Socialchange
Significantalterationovertimeinbehaviorpatternsandculture,includingnormsandvalues.
Socialconstructionist
perspective
Anapproachtodeviancethatemphasizestheroleofcultureinthecreationofthedeviantidentity.
Socialcontrol
Thetechniquesandstrategiesforpreventingdevianthumanbehaviorinanysociety.
Socialdisorganization
theory
Thetheorythatcrimeanddeviancearecausedbytheabsenceorbreakdownofcommunalrelationshipsandsocial
institutions.
Socialepidemiology
Thestudyofthedistributionofdisease,impairment,andgeneralhealthstatusacrossapopulation.
Socialinequality
Aconditioninwhichmembersofsocietyhavedifferingamountsofwealth,prestige,orpower.
Socialinstitution
Anorganizedpatternofbeliefsandbehaviorcenteredonbasicsocialneeds.
Socialinteraction
Thewaysinwhichpeoplerespondtooneanother.
Socialmobility
Movementofindividualsorgroupsfromonepositioninasociety'sstratificationsystemtoanother.
Socialmovement
Anorganizedcollectiveactivitytobringaboutorresistfundamentalchangeinanexistinggrouporsociety.
Socialnetwork
Aseriesofsocialrelationshipsthatlinksapersondirectlytoothers,andthroughthemindirectlytostillmorepeople.
Socialrole
Asetofexpectationsforpeoplewhooccupyagivensocialpositionorstatus.
Socialscience
Thestudyofthesocialfeaturesofhumansandthewaysinwhichtheyinteractandchange.
Socialstructure
Thewayinwhichasocietyisorganizedintopredictablerelationships.
Socialism
Aneconomicsystemunderwhichthemeansofproductionanddistributionarecollectivelyowned.
Socialization
Thelifelongprocessinwhichpeoplelearntheattitudes,values,andbehaviorsappropriateformembersofaparticular
culture.
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Glossary
Societalreaction
approach
Anothernameforlabelingtheory.
Society
Afairlylargenumberofpeoplewholiveinthesameterritory,arerelativelyindependentofpeopleoutsidetheirarea,and
participateinacommonculture.
Sociobiology
Thesystematicstudyofhowbiologyaffectshumansocialbehavior.
Socioculturalevolution
Longtermtrendsinsocietiesresultingfromtheinterplayofcontinuity,innovation,andselection.
Socioeconomicstatus
(SES)
Ameasureofsocialclassthatisbasedonincome,education,andoccupation.
Sociologicalimagination
Anawarenessoftherelationshipbetweenanindividualandthewidersociety,bothtodayandinthepast.
Sociology
Thescientificstudyofsocialbehaviorandhumangroups.
Squattersettlement
Anareaoccupiedbytheverypooronthefringeofacity,inwhichhousingisconstructedbythesettlersthemselves
fromdiscardedmaterial.
Status
Atermusedbysociologiststorefertoanyofthefullrangeofsociallydefinedpositionswithinalargegrouporsociety.
Statusgroup
AtermusedbyMaxWebertorefertopeoplewhohavethesameprestigeorlifestyle,independentoftheirclass
positions.
Stereotype
Anunreliablegeneralizationaboutallmembersofagroupthatdoesnotrecognizeindividualdifferenceswithinthegroup.
Stigma
Alabelusedtodevaluemembersofcertainsocialgroups.
Stratification
Astructuredrankingofentiregroupsofpeoplethatperpetuatesunequaleconomicrewardsandpowerinasociety.
Subculture
Asegmentofsocietythatsharesadistinctivepatternofmores,folkways,andvaluesthatdiffersfromthepatternofthe
largersociety.
Suburb
AccordingtotheCensusBureau,anyterritorywithinametropolitanareathatisnotincludedinthecentralcity.
Survey
Astudy,generallyintheformofanintervieworquestionnaire,thatprovidesresearcherswithinformationabouthow
peoplethinkandact.
Symbol
Agesture,object,orwordthatformsthebasisofhumancommunication.
Symbolicethnicity
Anethnicidentitythatemphasizesconcernssuchasethnicfoodorpoliticalissuesratherthandeepertiestoone'sethnic
heritage.
Teacherexpectancy
effect
Theimpactthatateacher'sexpectationsaboutastudent'sperformancemayhaveonthestudent'sactual
achievements.
Technology
Informationabouthowtousethematerialresourcesoftheenvironmenttosatisfyhumanneedsanddesires.
Telecommuter
Anemployeewhoworksfulltimeorparttimeathomeratherthaninanoutsideoffice,andwhoislinkedtosupervisor
andcolleaguesthroughphonelines,WiFi,theInternet,andsmartphones.
Terrorism
Theuseorthreatofviolenceagainstrandomorsymbolictargetsinpursuitofpoliticalaims.
Theory
Insociology,asetofstatementsthatseekstoexplainproblems,actions,orbehavior.
Totalfertilityrate(TFR)
Theaveragenumberofchildrenbornalivetoanywoman,assumingthatsheconformstocurrentfertilityrates.
Totalinstitution
AtermcoinedbyErvingGoffmantorefertoaninstitutionthatregulatesallaspectsofaperson'slifeunderasingle
authority,suchasaprison,themilitary,amentalhospital,oraconvent.
Totalitarianism
Virtuallycompletegovernmentcontrolandsurveillanceoverallaspectsofasociety'ssocialandpoliticallife.
Tracking
Thepracticeofplacingstudentsinspecificcurriculumgroupsonthebasisoftheirtestscoresandothercriteria.
Traditionalauthority
Legitimatepowerconferredbycustomandacceptedpractice.
Trainedincapacity
Thetendencyofworkersinabureaucracytobecomesospecializedthattheydevelopblindspotsandfailtonotice
obviousproblems.
Transnational
Animmigrantwhosustainsmultiplesocialrelationshipsthatlinkhisorhersocietyoforiginwiththesocietyof
settlement.
Transnationalcrime
Crimethatoccursacrossmultiplenationalborders.
Triad
Athreemembergroup.
Underclass
Thelongtermpoorwholacktrainingandskills.
Urbanecology
Anareaofstudythatfocusesontheinterrelationshipsbetweenpeopleandtheirenvironmentinurbanareas.
Urbanism
AtermusedbyLouisWirthtodescribedistinctivepatternsofsocialbehaviorevidentamongcityresidents.
Validity
Thedegreetowhichameasureorscaletrulyreflectsthephenomenonunderstudy.
Value
Acollectiveconceptionofwhatisconsideredgood,desirable,andproperorbad,undesirable,andimproperinaculture.
Valueneutrality
MaxWeber'stermforobjectivityofsociologistsintheinterpretationofdata.
Valueaddedmodel
AtheoryofcollectivebehaviorproposedbyNeilSmelsertoexplainhowbroadsocialconditionsaretransformedina
definitepatternintosomeformofcollectivebehavior.
Variable
Ameasurabletraitorcharacteristicthatissubjecttochangeunderdifferentconditions.
Verstehen
TheGermanwordfor"understanding"or"insight"usedbyMaxWebertostresstheneedforsociologiststotakeinto
accountthesubjectivemeaningspeopleattachtotheiractions.
Verticalmobility
Themovementofanindividualfromonesocialpositiontoanotherofadifferentrank.
Vestedinterests
Veblen'stermforthosepeopleorgroupswhowillsufferintheeventofsocialchange,andwhohaveastakein
maintainingthestatusquo.
Victimizationsurvey
Aquestionnaireorinterviewgiventoasampleofthepopulationtodeterminewhetherpeoplehavebeenvictimsof
crime.
Victimlesscrime
Atermusedbysociologiststodescribethewillingexchangeamongadultsofwidelydesired,butillegal,goodsand
services.
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Glossary
Visitability
Theaccessibilityofprivatehomestovisitorswithdisabilities.
Vitalstatistics
Recordsofbirths,deaths,marriages,anddivorcesgatheredthrougharegistrationsystemmaintainedbygovernmental
units.
Voluntaryassociation
Anorganizationestablishedonthebasisofcommoninterest,whosemembersvolunteerorevenpaytoparticipate.
War
Conflictbetweenorganizationsthatpossesstrainedcombatforcesequippedwithdeadlyweapons.
Wealth
Aninclusivetermencompassingallaperson'smaterialassets,includingland,stocks,andothertypesofproperty.
Whiteprivilege
RightsorimmunitiesgrantedtopeopleasaparticularbenefitorfavorsimplybecausetheyareWhite.
Whitecollarcrime
Illegalactscommittedbyaffluent,"respectable"individualsinthecourseofbusinessactivities.
Worldsystemsanalysis
ImmanuelWallerstein'sviewoftheglobaleconomicsystemasonedividedbetweencertainindustrializednationsthat
controlwealthanddevelopingcountriesthatarecontrolledandexploited.
Zeropopulationgrowth
(ZPG)
Thestateofapopulationinwhichthenumberofbirthsplusimmigrantsequalsthenumberofdeathsplusemigrants.
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