Hello, my name is Mathis Dupuis, and I am a Social Science student.
The glossary includes 20 key terms used in social science research, covering a wide range of topics including sociology, psychology, economics, political science, and more. I used a variety of sources, including academic textbooks and online resources. Lastly,
whether you are a student, researcher, or professional in the field of Social Science, this glossary will be a useful resource for you. This terminology may come in handy in your future work or research environment.
Anomie
noun
A state of normlessness (no norms) or confusion caused by a breakdown in social norms and values, often resulting in feelings of disorientation and alienation.
Example: Usually, a newly socialist country will have an anomie phase, to permit certain changes in the values and socials norms of the said country.
fr: Anomie
Behavioral economics
noun
A subfield of economics that applies insights from psychology and other social sciences to understand the behavior of individuals and groups in economic contexts.
Example: Because of the insights that the behavioural economics branch provides, mister "x" learnt that his personality can define his biais for certain brands.
fr: Économie comportementale
Cognitive dissonance
Noun
The mental discomfort experienced by a person who holds two or more contradictory beliefs or values at the same time.
Example: Mister "x", who has a cognitive dissonance, has been very sick lately.
fr: Dissonance cognitive
Critical theory
noun
A theoretical perspective that seeks to challenge and transform existing power relations and social structures, and emphasizes the role of ideology and discourse in shaping political reality.
Example: Mister "x", while learning the critical theory, realized that power and structures can be modified.
fr: Théorie critique
Cultural relativism
Noun
The principle that an individual's beliefs and activities should be understood by others in terms of that individual's own culture.
Example: Mister "x" showed cultural relativism to understand various religious rituals.
fr: Relativisme culturel
Externalities
noun
Costs or benefits of an economic activity that are not reflected in the market price, and are therefore not accounted for by the parties involved in the transaction.
Example: Mister 'x', by dealing on the streets, creates money, and therefore, externalities. (results of his actions outside of a market, also referred to as "the black market").
fr: Externalités
Hegemony
noun
The dominance of one group or society over others, achieved through political, economic, or cultural means.
Example: The white hegemony is what constructed the racial division in the United States.
fr: Hégémonie
Intersectionality
noun
The interconnectedness of social categories such as race, gender, class, and sexuality, and the ways in which they interact to shape individual experiences and social structures.
Example: The intersectionality between males and females is biological.
fr: intersectionnalité
Liberal internationalism
noun
A political and ethical philosophy that emphasizes the role of international cooperation, institutions, and norms in promoting peace, prosperity, and human rights.
Example: Thru lectures about liberal internationalism, mister "x" understood the importance of international cooperation.
fr: Internationalisation libérale
Neorealism
noun
A variant of realism that emphasizes the structural constraints on states' behavior in the international system, such as the distribution of power and the anarchic nature of the system.
Example: Mister "x" evolved and now believes in neorealism instead of pure realism.
fr: Néo-réalisme
Paradigm shift
noun
A fundamental change in the basic concepts, theories, and practices of a discipline or field of study. It often involves a move away from a dominant paradigm or way of thinking, towards a new and innovative perspective.
Example: When mister "x" discovered that x=y, it created a paradigm shift in the mathematic world. (They revised the orignal theory)
fr: Changement de paradigme
Realism
noun
A theoretical perspective that emphasizes the role of power and self-interest in international relations, and views states as the primary actors in the global system.
Example: Mister "x" thinks that realism is the political theory that explains all of the international relation related problems.
fr: Réalisme
Rent-seeking
noun
The pursuit of private gain through the manipulation of public policies or institutions, often at the expense of the broader society.
Example: Mister "x" went on a rent-seeking rampage last week when he posted
an agressive statement on Twitter.
fr: La recherche de rentes
Self-actualization
noun
A concept in humanistic psychology referring to the realization of one's full potential.
Example: Mister "x" had a self-actualization moment. He realized his true intellectual potential.
fr: L'actualisation de soi
Social constructivism
noun
A theory that emphasizes the role of social and cultural context in shaping individual experience and perception.
Example: Mister "x" learned how to act, to dress, to speak and to be.This is his social construct of himself.
fr: Construit social
Social stratification
noun
The hierarchical arrangement of social classes or castes within a society.
Example: Because of the present social stratification, mister "x" could not afford a new car, because his current wage isn't sufficient.
fr: Stratification sociale
Structural functionalism
noun
A sociological perspective that views society as a complex system made up of various interdependent parts that work together to maintain social stability.
Example: Structural functionalism is the concept upon which mister "x" bases his views of the modern society.
fr: fonctionnalité structurelle
Structuralism
noun
A theoretical perspective that emphasizes the underlying structures and systems that shape individual behavior and social phenomena.
Example: The structuralism of the modern world is what makes us who we are.
fr: Structuralisme
Symbolic interactionism
noun
theoretical perspective that focuses on the role of symbols, meanings, and communication in shaping individual experience and social interaction.
Example: If we follow the symbolic interactionism theory, we should pay attention to symbols, because the may be linked to something socially greater.
fr: Interactions symboliques
The bystander effect
noun
The phenomenon in which individuals are less likely to offer help in an emergency situation when other people are present.
Example: Mister "x", struck by the bystander effect, ran to help an old lady begging for help in the middle of the grocery store.
