AQA GCSE Sociology key terms

The ability to support oneself rather than depend on financial assistance from the state or others.

An interview using prepared questions or topics while allowing changes in order and follow-up questions.

A punishment or order imposed by a court on someone found guilty of an offence.

The belief that public life, including paid work and politics, is primarily men’s domain, while the private world of home and family is primarily women’s domain.

Having successive partners or marriages, but only one partner at a time, for example through divorce and remarriage.

The occupational class comprising professionals, administrators and managers in Halsey, Heath and Ridge's study.

Grouping pupils by assessed attainment or ability for individual subjects; a pupil can be in different sets for different subjects.

Unfair treatment based on sex or gender.

Fair and equal treatment regardless of sex or gender.

Unequal treatment of people because of their sex or gender.

Fair and equal treatment of people regardless of their biological sex or gender.

Prejudice or discrimination based on sex or gender, often involving beliefs that one sex is superior to the other.

A person’s pattern of sexual or romantic attraction, for example being heterosexual, gay, lesbian or bisexual.

A system in which people are treated as property, with others claiming ownership of them and control over their labour and freedom.

A sample developed by asking existing participants to recommend other potential participants.

Recruiting participants through existing participants who refer the researcher to other suitable people.

Alteration over time in society’s structure, attitudes, behaviour, norms or values.

For Weber, people who hold a similar position in the market economy and so have similar life chances.

The process through which a group excludes others from membership and the advantages associated with belonging.

The unity and bonds that bring people in society together, including shared values.

An idea or category produced through social and cultural decisions, rather than fixed independently of society.

Something shaped by people's definitions, interpretations and decisions rather than simply existing independently of them.

The ways society encourages conformity to its norms and rules, including expectations, sanctions and restrictions.

An accepted way of behaving in society.

The tendency for respondents to give answers that make them appear acceptable or favourable rather than answering honestly.

Being prevented from participating fully in the ordinary activities and opportunities of society.

Unequal access to resources and opportunities between individuals or social groups.

The process through which people learn the norms and values of a society or social group.