Sociological Terms

20 Sociological Terms with Meanings and Examples

1. Sociology: The study of human society and social behavior.

• Example: Sociologists study topics such as social inequality, family structures, and cultural norms.

2. Society: A group of people who live together in a structured community.

• Example: American society is characterized by diversity and individualism.

3. Social Structure: The underlying patterns of relationships and institutions in a society.

• Example: The social structure of a society is influenced by factors such as class, gender, and race.

4. Socialization: The process by which individuals learn the norms, values, and behaviors of their society.

• Example: Socialization begins in childhood and continues throughout life.

5. Social Institution: A complex system of social relationships and norms that functions to meet a basic need of society.

• Example: The family, education, and religion are examples of social institutions.

6. Social Role: The expected behaviors and attitudes associated with a particular position in society.

• Example: The role of a teacher is to educate students.

7. Social Interaction: The process by which people interact with each other.

• Example: Social interaction is essential for human development and well-being.

8. Social Group: A group of people who share common characteristics or interests.

• Example: Families, friends, and work colleagues are examples of social groups.

9. Social Stratification: The hierarchical arrangement of social groups in a society.

• Example: Social stratification is based on factors such as income, education, and occupation.

10. Social Inequality: The unequal distribution of resources, power, and opportunities in a society.

• Example: Social inequality can be based on factors such as class, gender, race, and ethnicity.

11. Deviance: Behavior that violates the norms and expectations of a society.

• Example: Crime, drug use, and homelessness are examples of deviant behavior.

12. Social Control: The mechanisms that societies use to regulate the behavior of individuals.

• Example: Laws, customs, and social norms are forms of social control.

13. Social Change: The transformation of society over time.

• Example: Social change can be caused by factors such as technological innovation, economic development, and social movements.

14. Globalization: The increasing interconnectedness of people, cultures, and economies around the world.

• Example: Globalization has led to the spread of Western culture and the growth of international trade.

15. Urbanization: The growth of cities and the movement of people from rural areas to urban areas.

• Example: Urbanization has led to significant changes in social structures and relationships.

16. Social Mobility: The movement of individuals or groups from one social class to another.

• Example: Upward social mobility is the movement of individuals from a lower social class to a higher one.

17. Social Constructionism: The belief that social phenomena are created and shaped by social interactions and cultural meanings.

• Example: Social constructionists argue that gender is a social construct, not a biological fact.

18. Symbolic Interactionism: A theoretical perspective that emphasizes the importance of symbols and shared meanings in social interaction.

• Example: Symbolic interactionists study how people use symbols to communicate and create meaning.

19. Structural Functionalism: A theoretical perspective that views society as a system of interrelated parts that work together to maintain stability.

• Example: Structural functionalists argue that social institutions such as the family and education play important roles in maintaining social order.

20. Conflict Theory: A theoretical perspective that emphasizes the role of power and conflict in shaping society.

• Example: Conflict theorists argue that social inequality is the result of conflict between different groups in society.