Understanding Social Concepts: From Sexism to Transnational Crime

Understanding Key Social Concepts

Ideologies and Economic Systems

Sexism

Sexism refers to the ideology that one sex is superior to the other, often leading to unequal treatment and discrimination.

Capitalism

Capitalism is an economic system characterized by private ownership of the means of production, accumulation of capital, and profit-driven markets.

Social Inequality and Deviance

Discrimination

Discrimination involves the unfair treatment of individuals or groups based on characteristics like race, ethnicity, religion, sex, or social class.

Labeling Theory

Labeling theory posits that individuals may adopt deviant identities when labeled as such by others, regardless of their actual behavior.

Cultural Relativism

Cultural relativism emphasizes understanding customs and ideas within the context of a specific society, avoiding judgment based on external standards.

Family Structures and Gender Roles

Patriarchy

Patriarchy describes a social system where males hold primary power and dominate decision-making within families.

Matriarchy

Matriarchy, in contrast, refers to societies where women have greater authority than men.

Egalitarian Families

Egalitarian families promote equal standing and shared decision-making between spouses.

Research Methods and Theories

Research Design

Research design outlines the plan for conducting a study, encompassing sampling, measurement, and data analysis methods.

Operational Definition

An operational definition specifies the procedures used to measure a variable in a research study.

Hypothesis

A hypothesis is a tentative statement proposing a relationship between variables, often based on existing theory or observations.

Anomie Theory and Forms of Deviance

Retreatism

Retreatism, as per anomie theory, occurs when individuals abandon both culturally accepted goals and the means to achieve them.

Rebellion

Rebellion involves rejecting societal goals and means, replacing them with new ones that challenge the established order.

Social Control and Sanctions

Formal Sanctions

Formal sanctions are organized rewards or punishments administered by institutions, such as academic degrees or legal penalties.

Social Issues and Global Concerns

Exploitation

Exploitation refers to the unfair treatment of individuals to benefit from their labor or resources.

Racial Profiling

Racial profiling involves discriminatory targeting of individuals by law enforcement based on race, ethnicity, religion, or national origin.

Transnational Crime

Transnational crime encompasses illegal activities that transcend national borders, posing challenges to global security and cooperation.

Additional Concepts

Conformist

A conformist adheres to prevailing social norms and expectations, often without question.

Innovator

An innovator introduces new ideas, methods, or products, driving social change and progress.

Ritualist

A ritualist rejects societal goals but adheres to established means, often engaging in routine behaviors without seeking success.

Hijab

The hijab is a head covering worn by some Muslim women as a symbol of modesty and religious identity.