sociology

the systematic study of human society

sociological perspective

special point of view of sociology that sees general

patterns of society in the lives of particular people

global perspective

the study of the larger world and our society's

place in it

high-income countries

nations with the highest overall standards of living

middle-income countries

nations with the stardard of living about average

for the world as a whole

low-income countries

nations with a low standard of living

in which most people are poor

positivism

scientific approach to knowledge based on

"positive" facts as oppossed to

mere speculation

structural-functional approach

a framework for building theory that sees society as a complex system that works together to promote soldarity and stability

social structure

any relatively stable pattern of social behavior

manifest functions

the recognized and intended consequences of any social pattern

latent function

the unrecognized and unintended consequences of any social pattern

social dysfunction

any social pattern that may disrupt the operation of society

macro-level orientation

a broad focus on social structures that shape society

micro-level orientation

a close-up focus on social interaction in specific situations

symbolic-interaction approach

symbolic-interaction approach (p. 14) a framework for building theory that sees society as the product of the everyday interactions of individuals