Sociology Cheatsheet
Sociological Concepts
- Socialization: The process by which individuals learn the norms, values, and beliefs of their society.
- Social Stratification: The hierarchical arrangement of individuals and groups within a society based on factors such as wealth, power, and status.
- Culture: The shared beliefs, values, customs, behaviors, and artifacts that characterize a society or group.
- Norms: The unwritten rules that govern behavior in a society or group.
- Values: The beliefs and principles that a society or group holds to be important.
- Deviance: Behavior that violates the norms of a society or group.
Sociological Theories
- Functionalism: A theoretical perspective that views society as a complex system of interdependent parts that work together to maintain social order and stability.
- Conflict Theory: A theoretical perspective that views society as a system characterized by inequality and conflict over resources and power.
- Symbolic Interactionism: A theoretical perspective that focuses on the ways in which individuals create and interpret meaning through their interactions with others.
- Feminist Theory: A theoretical perspective that focuses on gender inequality and the ways in which gender shapes social life.
- Critical Race Theory: A theoretical perspective that examines the ways in which race and racism intersect with other forms of inequality in society.
- Queer Theory: A theoretical perspective that challenges traditional notions of gender and sexuality and examines the ways in which they are socially constructed.
Research Methods
- Surveys: A research method that involves asking a sample of individuals a set of standardized questions.
- Interviews: A research method that involves asking individuals open-ended questions in a one-on-one setting.
- Participant Observation: A research method that involves observing and participating in the activities of a group or community.
- Case Studies: A research method that involves in-depth analysis of a single individual, group, or event.
- Content Analysis: A research method that involves analyzing the content of written or visual materials, such as books, films, or news articles.
- Experiments: A research method that involves manipulating one or more variables to determine their effect on another variable.
Social Institutions
- Family: A social institution that involves the care, socialization, and reproduction of individuals.
- Education: A social institution that involves the transmission of knowledge, values, and skills from one generation to another.
- Religion: A social institution that involves beliefs and practices related to the supernatural or divine.
- Economy: A social institution that involves the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services.
- Politics: A social institution that involves the distribution of power and resources within a society.
- Media: A social institution that involves the production and dissemination of information and entertainment.
Social Issues
- Race and Ethnicity: Social categories that are based on perceived physical and cultural differences.
- Gender and Sexuality: Social categories that are based on biological and cultural differences related to sex and gender.
- Social Class: A hierarchical system of social stratification based on factors such as income, education, and occupation.
- Crime and Deviance: Behavior that violates social norms and laws.
- Health and Illness: The social and cultural factors that influence health and illness.
- Globalization: The increasing interconnectedness of the world’s economies, cultures, and populations.
Resources
- American Sociological Association: A professional organization for sociologists that provides resources and support for research and teaching.
- Sociology Compass: A peer-reviewed journal that provides overviews of current research and debates in sociology.
- Sociological Images: A website that uses images and other media to illustrate sociological concepts and research.
- Sociology Toolbox: A website that provides resources and tools for teaching and learning sociology.