Hello, my name is Axelle Richard-Lévesque. I live in Montreal. I am finishing my studies in psychology at Collège Ahuntsic this term. I plan to pursue my education in sociology so for my 2nd glossary, I've mostly chosen sociology-related terms.This glossary could be useful for any student in Social Science as a way of learning some terms that are often mentioned in textbooks and articles talking about societal issues.
agency
noun
Agency is usually defined as the capacity of individuals to make choices or do things. Agency is the ability to act on one’s will or to change that will. This ability is affected by a myriad of socioeconomic and environmental factors.
Example: The protagonist's AGENCY in the story was evident as she actively made choices that shaped the narrative, demonstrating her ability to influence and direct the course of events.
en: libre arbitre ou pouvoir d'action
coercive organization
adjective (coercive) and noun (organization)
A term by Max Weber referring to an organization that uses intimidation, threats, and/or punishment to force its members to comply with strict rules and regulations.
Example: Common COERCIVE ORGANIZATIONS are cults, where individuals don'thave the liberty of chosing their own path in life and need to adhere to a set of very strict norms and values.
en: organisation coercitive
counterculture
noun
A culture whose values and norms of behavior significantly differ from those of society. A countercultural movement expresses the interests and values of a specific population within society.
Example: During the 1960s, the COUNTERCULTURE movement emerged as a powerful force, challenging mainstream societal norms and advocating for alternative lifestyles, artistic expressions, and political ideologies
en: contre-culture
cultural relativitism
noun phrase
The idea that a person’s beliefs, values, and behavior can be understood by considering that person’s own culture or cultures. Cultural relativists believe that the norms and values of one culture should not be evaluated according to the norms and values of another culture.
Example: Embracing CULTURAL RELATIVISM, the anthropologist sought to understand the indigenous practices without judgment, recognizing that what may seem unconventional in one culture could hold deep significance and legitimacy in another.
en: relativisme culturel
discrimination
noun
Discrimination can be thought of as a category that includes all actions, practices, and policies that are directed toward individuals based on their membership in a certain group.
Example: Despite her qualifications, she faced DISCRIMINATION in the workplace based on her gender, experiencing unequal treatment and barriers to advancement solely because she was a woman.
en: discrimination
ethnocentrism
noun
Ethnocentrism is the use of one’s own cultural and ethnic values as a frame of reference for judging other cultures, practices, values, beliefs, behaviors, and so on. It can also mean any culturally biased judgment.
Example: His ETHNOCENTRISM became evident when he dismissed the cultural practices of others as inferior, firmly believing that his own cultural norms were the only valid standards to judge all societies.
en: ethnocentrisme
gender socialization
adjective (gender) and noun (socialization)
Gender socialization is the process of teaching individuals how to behave according to the societal expectations of their gender. Gender socialization is the process by which boys learn to demonstrate masculinity and girls learn to demonstrate femininity.
Example: The school's curriculum inadvertently contributed to GENDER SOCIALIZATION by reinforcing traditional stereotypes, guiding students toward certain subjects and activities based on their gender, rather than encouraging a more inclusive and diverse exploration of interests.
en: socialisation sexospécifique
in-groups
noun
An in-group is a social group to which a person identifies as being a member. Sociologists and psychologists often explore the phenomenon of in-group bias which can lead to marganalization.
Example: Individuals often feel a strong sense of belonging and loyalty to their IN-GROUPS, fostering a deep connection with those who share similar values, interests, or cultural backgrounds.
en: groupes d'appartenance
intersectionality
noun
Intersectionality is a framework for understanding how a person’s social and political identities combine to create different types of discrimination and privilege. The factors that intersectionality identifies include gender, sex, race, ethnicity, sexuality, religion, disability, weight, physical appearance, and many more.
Example: In her research, the scholar explored the intricate web of INTERSECTIONALITY, examining how factors like ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation intersect to shape individuals' experiences and opportunities within society.
en: intersectionnalité
minority
noun
Any small group in society that is different from the rest because of their race, religion, or political beliefs, or a person who belongs to such a group.
Example: The plan was designed to help women and MINORITIES overcome discrimination in the workplace.
en: minorité
out-groups
noun
An out-group is the direct opposite of an in-group. It is a social group with which an individual does not identify.
Example: The tendency to stereotype and alienate individuals from OUT-GROUPS can perpetuate social divisions and hinder opportunities for meaningful intercultural understanding.
en: groupes exclus
social class
adjective and noun
A social class is a group of people within a hierarchical set of social categories. The most common division identifies upper, middle, and lower social classes.
Example: In discussions about wealth distribution, the concept of SOCIAL CLASS emerges as a critical factor, influencing not only economic status but also shaping individuals' access to healthcare, education, and other essential resources.
en: classe sociale
socialization
noun
The process of internalizing the norms and values of a given society is known as socialization.
Example: Family, peers, and educational institutions collectively contribute to the SOCIALIZATION process, shaping an individual's values, beliefs, and behaviors in accordance with societal norms.
en: socialisation
stereotypes
noun
A stereotype is a generalized belief about a particular category of people. An expectation people might have about every member of a particular group.
Example: While promoting diversity and inclusion, it's crucial to challenge and debunk STEREOTYPES that perpetuate harmful generalizations about certain ethnic or cultural groups.
en: stéréotypes
stigmatizing
verb
Describe or regard as worthy of disgrace or great disapproval.
Example: Efforts to combat mental health stigma are essential for fostering a supportive society and dismantling STIGMATIZING beliefs that can hinder individuals from seeking help.