Sociology primarily focuses on the study of group dynamics, social structures, and relationships.

Auguste Comte is often regarded as the founder of sociology for his contributions to the development of sociological theory.

Gender inequality refers to the disparities in cultural, social, and economic opportunities and resources between men and women.

Socialization is the process through which individuals learn and internalize societal norms, values, and cultural practices.

Symbolic interactionism focuses on the role of symbols and language in shaping individual and group interactions within society.

Karl Marx identified class struggle, particularly between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat, as the primary source of social conflict.

Functionalism views society as a complex system where various institutions work together to maintain stability and functioning.

Marginalization refers to the process of individuals or groups being excluded from various social, economic, and political opportunities.

Cultural transmission is the process through which cultural elements, such as beliefs and traditions, are passed from one generation to the next.

Charles Horton Cooley developed the concept of the "looking-glass self," highlighting the impact of social interactions on an individual's self-perception.

Ethnocentrism is the tendency to evaluate other cultures based on the values and norms of one's own culture, often leading to bias.

Conflict theory emphasizes the role of power and inequality in shaping social structures, institutions, and relationships.

Social norms are the unwritten and taken-for-granted rules that guide behavior in everyday social interactions.

Anomie, according to Durkheim, is the breakdown of social bonds and the disintegration of social institutions in modern societies.

Symbolic interactionism examines how individuals and groups create and negotiate meaning through shared symbols and interactions.

Sociology is the systematic study of society and human social behavior, including patterns, structures, and institutions.

Cultural assimilation is the process by which a minority group gradually adopts the customs and attitudes of the dominant culture.

Symbolic interactionism emphasizes how individuals experience and interpret the social world in their daily lives through symbols and interactions.

Deviance refers to behaviors, beliefs, or conditions that violate societal norms and elicit negative reactions from others.

Max Weber developed the concept of the "iron cage" to describe the dehumanizing effects of bureaucratic structures on individuals in modern society.

Culture refers to a set of beliefs, values, and practices that distinguishes one group from another, shaping their way of life.

Robert K. Merton introduced the concept of the "latent function," referring to unintended and unrecognized consequences of social institutions.

Primary socialization is the process by which an individual acquires the basic knowledge, language, and social skills necessary to function in society.

The cultural studies perspective emphasizes the role of media and popular culture in shaping public perceptions and reinforcing social norms.

Stereotype is a rigid and oversimplified belief or opinion about a particular group of people, often based on inaccurate generalizations.

C. Wright Mills developed the concept of the "sociological imagination," urging individuals to connect their personal experiences to broader societal issues.

Role conflict refers to the tension or conflict that arises when an individual experiences competing demands from different roles they occupy.

Conflict theory examines how society is divided into different groups, each with its own power and resources, leading to social conflict.

Cultural assimilation is the process of abandoning one's cultural practices and adopting those of the dominant culture.

Robert K. Merton introduced the concept of the "self-fulfilling prophecy," suggesting that individuals may fulfill expectations placed on them by others.

Social stratification refers to the hierarchical arrangement of individuals or groups in society based on various factors like wealth, power, and status.

Feminist theory focuses on how gender shapes social interactions and structures, addressing issues of gender inequality.

Multiculturalism is the process by which a minority group adopts some customs of the dominant culture while retaining its own cultural elements.

Erving Goffman developed the concept of "civil inattention," describing the practice of avoiding prolonged eye contact in public spaces to maintain privacy.

The social construction of reality refers to the creation of shared meanings and interpretations of the world through social interactions and collective agreement.

Symbolic interactionism is concerned with how individuals and groups create meaning in their lives through shared symbols and interactions.

Michael Young coined the term "meritocracy," describing a system where individuals are rewarded based on their abilities and achievements.

Socialization is the process by which individuals internalize societal norms and values, shaping their behavior and identity.

Civil religion refers to the unofficial shared beliefs and rituals that hold a society together, often related to national identity.

C. Wright Mills developed the concept of the "sociological imagination," highlighting the connection between personal troubles and broader societal issues.

Social norms refer to a group's formal and informal rules for acceptable behavior, beliefs, and values.

Anomie, according to Durkheim, is the condition of normlessness or a lack of societal regulation, leading to social disintegration.

Ethnocentrism is the belief that one's own culture or group is superior to others, leading to discrimination and prejudice.

Erving Goffman developed the concept of "front stage" and "back stage" to describe different aspects of an individual's behavior in social interactions.

Cultural assimilation is the process by which individuals from different cultures come into contact and accept and create a new culture.

Symbolic interactionism is concerned with how individuals experience and interpret the social world in their daily lives through symbols and interactions.

Role expectation refers to a set of expectations regarding the behavior and roles associated with a particular status in society.

George Ritzer developed the concept of the "McDonaldization" of society, highlighting the increasing rationalization and standardization of social institutions.

Stereotype refers to a rigid and oversimplified belief or opinion about a particular group of people, often based on inaccurate generalizations.

Erving Goffman introduced the concept of "resocialization," referring to the process of learning new norms and values when entering a new social environment.

Socialization is the process by which individuals learn and internalize the values and norms of a culture, shaping their behavior and identity.

Feminist theory focuses on how gender shapes social structures and relationships, addressing issues of gender inequality.

Anomie is the term used to describe a sense of disconnection and alienation from society, often experienced by individuals in modern, industrialized societies.

Erving Goffman developed the concept of "face-saving behavior," referring to actions individuals take to maintain a positive social image in interactions.

Institution refers to a complex system of norms, values, and practices that fulfill essential societal functions and are relatively stable over time.

Role set refers to a set of expectations regarding the behavior and roles of an individual associated with a particular status in society.

Charles Horton Cooley developed the concept of "reference group," describing a group individuals use as a standard for evaluating themselves and their behavior.

Glass ceiling refers to invisible barriers that prevent women and other minority groups from advancing to top positions in organizations.

Latent functions refer to the unintended and unrecognized consequences of social institutions and structures.

Functionalism emphasizes the ways in which individuals and groups contribute to the maintenance of social order and stability.