Sociological Theory

sense of separation or estrangement from an essential part of the self

sense of loss and normlessness due to the breakdown of social bonds

private behavior, concealed from others, which reflects a person's true self

class that owns property, including owning and controlling the means of production

awareness of shared economic, social, and political circumstances and an understanding that working together with others in the same class is necessary in order to solve problems faced by all members of the class

set of generally accepted social rules, norms, values, and beliefs that have become embodied in institutions and form the basis of society

theory that society is characterized by conflict between social groups. Groups with unequal power and competing interests compete for scarce resources.

approach that posits that all cultures are equal in value and avoids viewing or judging a culture from the perspective of another culture

theory that uses the metaphor of the theater as a tool to explain human interaction

approach centered on gender equity and equality

public behavior controlled to manage impressions

approach that views society as a system of parts working together to maintain a social equilibrium

framework for examining how factors of social stratification such as gender, age, race, class, and sexual orientation are not separate, but are intertwined

unintended consequence of a social behavior or social institution

theory that people develop a sense of self based on how they believe other people see and judge them

examination of society as a whole

intended consequence of a social behavior or social institution

social environment in which multiple sources of oppression—based on factors such as race, ethnicity, class, sex, and gender—intersect to affect individuals' lives

facilities and resources for producing or manufacturing goods, such as tools, factory buildings, and machinery

detailed examination of interactions between individuals

small group of elite leaders in politics, military, and business who hold power in a society

people who own only their own labor

approach that uses nonnumerical data, such as analysis of interview responses or observed behavior, to study the social world

approach that uses numerical data, such as percentages and rates, to study the social world

complex set of interdependent social forces that meet basic needs and serve to reproduce patterns of behavior

process through which people learn the values, norms, beliefs, and expectations of their society

view of social behavior that emphasizes subjective understanding and the interactions of the individual and society