Category: Sociology Dictionary
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Social Groups: Definition, Types, Importance, Examples
Definition: A social group refers to two or more individuals who share a common social identification, and who perceive themselves to be members of the same social category Hence, the shared perception or understanding that the individual feels as though they belong to a group is instrumental in defining a social group. It is this…
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Social institutions: Definition, Characteristics, Types, Examples
What are social institutions? Societies are an abstract concept but it is universally agreed upon that a society is built up of certain norms, rules and traditions that maintain social order and stability. These norms and rules are required. They form gradually over consensus and are always subject to change depending on the people that…
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Capitalism and Communism: A Comparative Analysis
Throughout history, various systems have been set to govern societies around the world. Capitalism and communism are the two most analyzed and debated systems that affect the economy and society in very different ways. They are concepts that can be analyzed through a multitude of disciplines. This paper attempts to draw a comparative analysis between…
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Interdisciplinary Perspective: Pros and Cons, Applications, Examples
Interdisciplinary perspective: “A discipline is a particular area of study, especially a subject of study in a college or university” (“academic discipline”, n.d.). Interdisciplinarity or the interdisciplinary approach involves the merging of two or more academic disciplines for one purpose or activity like a research project (Nissani, 1995). It draws knowledge from several fields of…
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6 Complementary Perspectives in Sociology: Explained with Examples
Sociology as an academic discipline is composed of various theories and resultant perspectives by which we explain and understand our social world. This paper will seek to list out and examine the different complementary perspectives in sociology, and assess the ways in which they are relevant to the study of societies. Introduction to Sociological Perspectives…
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Reference Group: Types, Functions, Characteristics, Importance
The term reference group, originally coined by Hebert Hyman in his book The Psychology of Status (1942), is used to describe any group that an individual uses as a point of comparison in the process of self-appraisal. The points of comparison (or reference) that an individual looks at could be the norms, attitudes, and values…
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Jacque Derrida’s Deconstruction Theory – Explained
Synopsis: Deconstruction theory, derived from the works of philosopher Jacques Derrida, is a theory of literary analysis that opposes the assumptions of structuralism. Its primary purpose is to discern the relationship between text and meaning. In performing this task, deconstruction theory is critical of the structuralist ideas of logocentrism and binary oppositions and instead seeks…