Essential Concepts and Definitions in Sociology

Foundational Concepts in Sociology

Sociology is the science that studies, describes, and analyzes the processes of life, human beings, their social relations, and human societies.

Functions of Social Structures

Social structures, such as the family unit, fulfill several essential functions for the individual and society:

• Communication: Using verbal methods is essential for the development of emotion and affective aid.
• Affection and Love: The relationship of affection or love is essential for the normal development of the individual.
• Support: Providing multi-forms of support (economic, emotional, etc.).
• Adaptability: Maintaining internal relational processes. Family adaptation processes arise as a function of the different stages of their life cycle.
• Autonomy: Individuals need a certain degree of independence to facilitate their growth and maturation.
• Rules and Standards of Behavior: Encouraging coexistence; these rules facilitate relationships.

Core Sociological Terminology

Social Position and Interaction

Association

A human right—the power to unite and form groups, associations, or organizations.

Community

A set of individuals who share common elements, such as language, customs, values, social status, and roles.

Status

Describes the social position an individual occupies within a society.

Role

Refers to a set of functions, behaviors, and social and cultural norms that a person is expected to meet or exercise according to their acquired or assigned social status.

Social Networks

A social structure made up of people who are connected by one or more types of relationships, such as friendship, kinship, common interests, economic exchanges, or shared beliefs.

Social Action

Every action that the actor intends to make meaningful, affecting the behavior of others, and oriented by this effect.

Social Pattern / Symbolism

How we interpret a culture based on social events or symbols (e.g., associating an apple with sin, smooth skin, or health).

Groups and Conflict

Social Groups

A set of people who play reciprocal roles in society. Individuals within the group act according to the same agreed-upon rules, values, and objectives necessary for the common good of the group.

Social Movement

A non-formal group of individuals or organizations involved in social and political issues aimed at social change.

Social Conflict

A struggle over values, status, power, and scarce resources, in the course of which opponents want to neutralize, injure, or eliminate rivals.

Class Struggle

The conflict between social classes based on the events that shape societies.

Specialized Fields and Key Thinkers

Sociology of Education

A discipline that uses concepts, models, and theories of sociology to understand education in its social dimension.

Founding Sociologists

Émile Durkheim

Attempted to study social reality to discover regularities in patterns of human behavior in society.

Auguste Comte

Proposed the idea that all sciences formed a hierarchy, where each subsequent link depended on the previous one, based on the complexity of the phenomena studied.

Forming an Association

Requirements for Establishing a Partnership

Forming an association requires a defined structure (president, members, secretaries, etc.) and a written document expressing the association's identity and goals, which must be recorded in civil registration.