Vocabulary Words Every Sociology Teacher Should Know

Society

Definition: A group of people living together in a community; the structure of relationships in a community.

• Society is made up of various cultures.
• In our society, education is very important.
• He studies how changes affect society.

Society in a sentence

Group

Definition: A number of people or things that are located, gathered, or classed together.

• We worked in a group for the science project.
• A group of students went on a field trip.
• The group will meet every Wednesday to discuss their plans.

Group in a sentence

People

Definition: Individuals of a community or group.

• There were many people at the concert.
• People need to work together for peace.
• I love meeting new people.

People in a sentence

Culture

Definition: The ideas, customs, and social behavior of a particular people or society.

• In our class, we learn about different cultures around the world.
• Food is a big part of culture; every country has its own special dishes.
• Celebrating festivals is an important part of culture in many communities.

Culture in a sentence

Family

Definition: A group of people related by blood, marriage, or adoption.

• Her family gathered for a reunion every summer.
• He values spending time with his family.
• Understanding family dynamics is essential for social relationships.

Family in a sentence

Friend

Definition: A person whom one knows and has a bond of mutual affection.

• My best friend is someone I can trust.
• I love spending time with my friends after school.
• Friends support each other in tough times.

Friend in a sentence

Home

Definition: A place where someone lives and feels comfortable.

• My home is my favorite place.
• After a long day, I love to go home.
• He feels safe in his home.

Home in a sentence

School

Definition: An institution for educating children.

• My school is very big and has many students.
• Every day, I walk to school with my friends.
• The school has a library and a gym.

School in a sentence

Work

Definition: activity involving mental or physical effort

• He has a lot of work to do this week.
• She enjoys her work as a teacher.
• They finished their work ahead of schedule.

Work in a sentence

Play

Definition: to engage in activities for enjoyment; also refers to a dramatic performance

• The children love to play outside after school.
• She will play the lead role in the school play.
• He likes to play video games with his friends.

Play in a sentence

Help

Definition: To assist someone with something.

• Can you help me with my homework?
• She helped her mother in the kitchen.
• He always helps his friends.

Help in a sentence

Love

Definition: A strong feeling of affection.

• I love my family very much.
• She loves to read books.
• They show love by helping each other.

Love in a sentence

Talk

Definition: To speak with someone.

• I love to talk with my friends.
• Can we talk about the project later?
• She talks to her parents every day.

Talk in a sentence

Learn

Definition: To gain knowledge or skills through study or experience.

• I want to learn how to play the guitar.
• We learn new words every week in class.
• She loves to learn about different cultures.

Learn in a sentence

Share

Definition: To give a part of something to others.

• It's nice to share your toys with friends.
• We should share our ideas during the meeting.
• Can you share your notes with me?

Share in a sentence

Live

Definition: to be alive or happening in real-time

• They want to live in a big city.
• The concert will be broadcast live on television.
• Understanding "live" helps in daily conversations.

Live in a sentence

Listen

Definition: To pay attention to sound or someone speaking.

• Please listen carefully to the instructions.
• I like to listen to music while I study.
• It is important to listen to our friends when they talk.

Listen in a sentence

Think

Definition: to use your mind to consider or reason

• I like to think about different solutions to problems.
• She needs time to think before deciding.
• He often thinks about his future plans.

Think in a sentence

Feel

Definition: To sense or experience something.

• I feel happy today.
• She felt cold in the winter.
• He feels tired after running.

Feel in a sentence

Change

Definition: To make something different; the act of becoming different.

• She decided to change her hairstyle.
• He likes to change his routine every month.
• Change is a natural part of life.

Change in a sentence

Community

Definition: A group of people living in the same area or sharing common interests.

• Our community organizes events for everyone to enjoy.
• It's important to help your community by volunteering.
• The community came together to clean the park.

Community in a sentence

Person

Definition: a human being

• Every person deserves respect and kindness.
• She is a kind person who helps others.
• Understanding what a person is helps in social contexts.

Person in a sentence

Relationship

Definition: The way in which two or more people are connected.

• They have a close relationship as siblings.
• Building a good relationship takes time.
• Friendship is an important type of relationship.

Relationship in a sentence

Behavior

Definition: The way a person or animal acts; actions and reactions.

• His behavior in class is always positive.
• She studies animal behavior in her research.
• They discussed appropriate behavior during the meeting.

Behavior in a sentence

Values

Definition: the beliefs or principles that guide behavior

• She taught her children the importance of family values.
• His values influence his decisions every day.
• Understanding values helps in personal development.

Values in a sentence

Norms

Definition: Accepted standards or behaviors in a group.

• Social norms can vary between cultures.
• He followed the norms of his community.
• Understanding norms helps in fitting in.

Tradition

Definition: A custom or belief passed down through generations.

• It is a tradition to celebrate New Year's with fireworks.
• They follow the tradition of giving gifts.
• This tradition has been around for many years.

Tradition in a sentence

Role

Definition: The function or part played by a person in a situation.

• Everyone has a role to play in the team.
• She takes on the role of a leader in the project.
• Understanding your role can help you succeed.

Role in a sentence

Identity

Definition: The characteristics or qualities that make someone unique.

• Your identity is shaped by your experiences.
• She is proud of her cultural identity.
• Identity is important in understanding oneself.

Identity in a sentence

Problem

Definition: A situation that is difficult or unsatisfactory.

• She faced a problem with her homework.
• Finding a solution to a problem can be challenging.
• He is good at identifying problems quickly.

Problem in a sentence

Solution

Definition: An answer to a problem.

• We need to find a solution to this issue.
• The teacher provided a solution to the math problem.
• There are many solutions to environmental challenges.

Solution in a sentence

Norm

Definition: A standard or typical behavior; a rule for accepted conduct.

• The social norm is to greet people politely.
• They discussed the norms of their classroom.
• Breaking a norm can lead to social consequences.

Norm in a sentence

Value

Definition: The importance or worth of something.

• Honesty has great value in life.
• The value of gold is very high.
• She understands the value of hard work.

Value in a sentence

Belief

Definition: A conviction or acceptance that something is true.

• She has a strong belief in helping others.
• His belief in himself helped him succeed.
• Different cultures have diverse beliefs.

Belief in a sentence

Interaction

Definition: The act of communicating or working together with others.

• Their interaction during the project was productive.
• She enjoys the interaction with her classmates.
• Positive interaction fosters a good learning environment.

Interaction in a sentence

Diversity

Definition: the variety of different types or qualities

• Diversity is important in our community.
• The school celebrates cultural diversity.
• They promote diversity in the workplace.

Diversity in a sentence

Socialization

Definition: The process by which individuals learn and adopt the norms and values of their society.

• Socialization occurs through family, school, and peers.
• He learned about socialization in his psychology class.
• Understanding socialization is important for personal development.

Socialization in a sentence

Status

Definition: The relative social, professional, or other standing of someone or something.

• Her status in the company improved after the promotion.
• They checked the status of their application.
• The status of the project is currently under review.

Status in a sentence

Power

Definition: The ability to do something or act in a certain way; energy used to perform work.

• Electricity provides power to our homes.
• He has the power to change the situation.
• The power of teamwork can lead to success.

Power in a sentence

Inequality

Definition: The state of being unequal; a lack of fairness or justice.

• Economic inequality can affect many people.
• They discussed social inequality in class.
• Inequality can lead to social unrest.

Inequality in a sentence

Conflict

Definition: A disagreement or struggle between people or ideas.

• The conflict between the two teams was intense.
• They resolved the conflict peacefully.
• He wrote about the conflict in his essay.

Conflict in a sentence

Cooperation

Definition: Working together towards a common goal or purpose.

• Cooperation among team members is essential for success.
• They showed great cooperation during the group project.
• Understanding cooperation can improve teamwork.

Cooperation in a sentence

Institution

Definition: An established organization, especially one involved in education or public service.

• The university is a well-respected institution.
• They visited the institution to learn about its history.
• Many institutions provide valuable services to the community.

Institution in a sentence

Stratification

Definition: the arrangement of something into different layers or levels

• Stratification in society can affect opportunities.
• Geologists study stratification in rock formations.
• The stratification of students helps tailor lessons.

Stratification in a sentence

Globalization

Definition: The process by which businesses develop international influence.

• Globalization has changed how we buy products.
• Many cultures have blended due to globalization.
• The effects of globalization can be seen everywhere.

Globalization in a sentence

Migration

Definition: the movement of people from one place to another

• Migration can happen for various reasons.
• They studied migration patterns in history.
• The migration of birds is fascinating to observe.

Migration in a sentence

Cohesion

Definition: The action or fact of forming a united whole; the quality of being logically connected.

• Cohesion in writing helps ideas flow smoothly.
• She improved the cohesion of her essay with transitions.
• Understanding cohesion enhances clarity in communication.

Cohesion in a sentence

Assimilation

Definition: The process of absorbing and integrating new information or culture.

• Cultural assimilation can happen over generations.
• The assimilation of new ideas is important for learning.
• She studied the assimilation of immigrants in history class.

Assimilation in a sentence

Resistance

Definition: The ability to withstand or oppose something; the act of resisting.

• He showed great resistance to the cold weather.
• Her resistance to the loud noise helped her focus.
• Understanding resistance can help in overcoming challenges.

Resistance in a sentence

Deviance

Definition: Behavior that differs from the norm or expected standards.

• Deviance can be seen in different cultures.
• They studied deviance in sociology class.
• Understanding deviance helps in analyzing society.

Deviance in a sentence

Ethics

Definition: Moral principles that govern behavior; what is right or wrong.

• Ethics are important in making decisions.
• The class discussed ethics in business.
• She believes in strong ethics in her work.

Ethics in a sentence

Phenomenon

Definition: A fact or situation that is observed to exist or happen.

• The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon.
• We studied a fascinating phenomenon in science class.
• Her talent for music is a rare phenomenon.

Phenomenon in a sentence

Research

Definition: A careful study to learn more about something.

• We need to do research for our project.
• Her research on animals was fascinating.
• He enjoys research in science.

Research in a sentence

Theory

Definition: a set of ideas to explain something

• The theory of evolution explains how species change.
• He learned a new theory in science class.
• Her theory about the experiment was interesting.

Theory in a sentence

Empirical

Definition: Based on observation or experience rather than theory or pure logic.

• Empirical evidence supports the findings of the study.
• She conducted empirical research for her science project.
• Understanding empirical methods is essential in scientific inquiry.

Empirical in a sentence

Methodology

Definition: A system of methods used in a particular area of study or activity.

• The researcher explained her methodology in the report.
• He learned different methodologies in his science class.
• Understanding methodology is important for conducting research.

Methodology in a sentence

Ethnocentrism

Definition: the belief that one's own culture is superior to others

• Ethnocentrism can lead to misunderstandings between cultures.
• He learned about ethnocentrism in his sociology class.
• Understanding ethnocentrism promotes cultural awareness.

Ethnocentrism in a sentence

Cultural Relativism

Definition: The concept that a person's beliefs and practices should be understood based on their culture.

• Cultural relativism promotes understanding and respect for diversity.
• He learned about cultural relativism in his anthropology course.
• Understanding cultural relativism is essential for global awareness.

Agency

Definition: an organization that provides a specific service

• The travel agency helped plan their vacation.
• She works for an agency that assists homeless people.
• Understanding agency is crucial for recognizing services.

Agency in a sentence

Hegemony

Definition: Leadership or dominance, especially by one country or social group over others.

• The country's hegemony affected its neighbors.
• He studied the concept of hegemony in political science.
• Hegemony can lead to inequality among nations.

Hegemony in a sentence

Discourse

Definition: Written or spoken communication; a formal discussion of a topic.

• The discourse on climate change is important.
• She participated in a discourse about education reform.
• They studied the discourse in literature classes.

Discourse in a sentence

Intersectionality

Definition: The study of how different aspects of a person's identity (like race, gender, and class) interact and influence experiences.

• Intersectionality helps us understand diverse perspectives.
• She learned about intersectionality in her sociology course.
• They discussed intersectionality in relation to social justice.

Social Mobility

Definition: The ability to move up or down the social class ladder.

• Social mobility is influenced by education and job opportunities.
• He studied social mobility in his sociology class.
• Understanding social mobility can highlight societal inequalities.

Normativity

Definition: The quality of being normative; the establishment of norms or standards.

• Normativity influences how we perceive right and wrong.
• The research examined the normativity of social rules.
• Understanding normativity is important in sociology.

Marginalization

Definition: The process of pushing certain groups of people to the edge of society.

• Marginalization can lead to social and economic disadvantages.
• She advocates for the rights of those facing marginalization.
• Understanding marginalization is important for promoting equality.

Marginalization in a sentence

Demographic

Definition: Related to the statistics of populations, such as age, race, and gender.

• The demographic data showed a young population.
• She analyzed the demographic trends of the city.
• Demographic studies help understand social changes.

Demographic in a sentence

Paradigm

Definition: A typical example or pattern of something; a model or framework.

• The scientific paradigm shifted with new discoveries.
• He followed the traditional paradigm for solving the problem.
• In school, we learned about different paradigms in science.

Paradigm in a sentence

Subculture

Definition: A group within a larger culture that has its own distinct values and norms.

• The punk subculture is known for its unique fashion and music.
• Many teenagers find a sense of belonging in a subculture.
• The art and music of the subculture express their identity.

Subculture in a sentence

Structuralism

Definition: A theory in various fields that focuses on structures and relationships within systems.

• Structuralism examines the underlying structures in society.
• She studied structuralism in her literature class.
• Understanding structuralism can enhance critical thinking.

Structuralism in a sentence

Postmodernism

Definition: An art and cultural movement that challenges traditional ideas and values.

• Postmodernism often includes irony and experimentation.
• She studied postmodernism in her art history course.
• Understanding postmodernism encourages critical thinking about culture.

Postmodernism in a sentence

Social Constructivism

Definition: A theory that emphasizes the role of social interactions in learning.

• Social constructivism focuses on collaborative learning.
• Teachers use social constructivism to enhance understanding.
• Understanding social constructivism helps in education practices.

Paradigms

Definition: Plural of paradigm; models or patterns used for understanding.

• Different scientific paradigms can lead to various conclusions.
• The teacher discussed several paradigms in physics.
• They explored cultural paradigms in their history class.

Normative

Definition: Establishing a standard or norm; relating to what is considered normal.

• Normative theories help define acceptable behaviors.
• She studied normative ethics in philosophy class.
• The study focused on normative aspects of social behavior.

Normative in a sentence

Phenomenology

Definition: the study of experiences and consciousness

• Phenomenology focuses on how we perceive the world.
• He studied phenomenology in his psychology class.
• Understanding phenomenology is important for grasping human experiences.

Phenomenology in a sentence

Collectivism

Definition: An ideology that emphasizes the importance of the group over individual interests.

• Collectivism values community and cooperation.
• He studied collectivism in his sociology class.
• Understanding collectivism helps in analyzing societies.

Collectivism in a sentence

Individualism

Definition: A social theory that emphasizes the moral worth of the individual.

• Individualism encourages people to express themselves.
• He believes in individualism and personal freedom.
• Individualism can lead to creativity and innovation.

Diaspora

Definition: The dispersion of a group of people from their homeland.

• The Jewish diaspora has a rich cultural history.
• She studied the effects of the diaspora on communities.
• The diaspora often maintains connections to their roots.

Diaspora in a sentence

Reflexivity

Definition: the ability to reflect on oneself or one's actions

• Reflexivity in learning helps with personal growth.
• The teacher promoted reflexivity in discussions.
• He practiced reflexivity to understand his choices better.

Reflexivity in a sentence

Commodification

Definition: the process of turning something into a commodity for sale

• The commodification of art can change its value.
• Understanding commodification is important in economics.
• They discussed the commodification of culture in class.

Social Capital

Definition: The value of social networks and relationships in a community.

• Social capital contributes to a supportive and connected society.
• He realized the importance of social capital in his neighborhood.
• Understanding social capital fosters community engagement.

Social Capital in a sentence

Anomie

Definition: A social condition where people feel disconnected from society's norms.

• Anomie can lead to feelings of confusion and isolation.
• Many young people experience anomie in today's fast-paced world.
• Understanding anomie helps explain social issues.

Anomie in a sentence

Ethnography

Definition: The study of cultures and communities through observation and interaction.

• Ethnography helps us understand different ways of life.
• The ethnography project involved living with a local community.
• He wrote an ethnography about traditional farming practices.

Ethnography in a sentence

Dualism

Definition: The idea that two opposing forces exist together.

• In philosophy, dualism explores the mind-body connection.
• The concept of dualism can be seen in many cultures.
• She learned about dualism in her psychology class.

Dualism in a sentence

Ontology

Definition: The study of being and existence in philosophy.

• Ontology explores questions about what things exist.
• She took a course in ontology to understand different philosophies.
• Ontology is a fundamental part of philosophical studies.

Ontology in a sentence

Epistemology

Definition: The branch of philosophy concerned with the nature and scope of knowledge.

• Epistemology examines how we know what we know.
• She studied epistemology to understand different theories of knowledge.
• Understanding epistemology can deepen critical thinking.

Epistemology in a sentence