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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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