Key terms & definitions

An effect on people’s lives, health, housing or access to services.

The effect of a product or process on people, including workers, users and local communities.

A consequence for communities or society, such as changes in access to food or protection from disease.

Enabling people to participate in society and access opportunities rather than being excluded because of circumstances such as poverty, caste or gender.

Enabling people or groups to participate fully in society by removing barriers to opportunities, resources and community life.

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

The effect that other people have on an individual's behaviour, beliefs or opinions.

Unfair treatment of a person or group, or an unfair arrangement within society.

An established arrangement which meets important social needs and organises behaviour, such as the family or education system.

Communicating and building connections with other people, including through discussing media or participating in audience communities.

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

The process of learning the norms, values and acceptable behaviour of a society.

A political ideology seeking greater social and economic equality and collective control of economic resources rather than their control solely by private owners.

A political and economic outlook that seeks greater equality through collective provision and greater public or social control of resources.

An economic system based on collective or social ownership of productive resources rather than private ownership for profit. Zaretsky sees it as necessary for ending the separation of family and public life.

A political philosophy emphasising equality and collective provision, traditionally supporting public or common ownership of important industries.

Stalin’s policy of building socialism within the USSR without making its survival dependent on successful revolutions abroad.

Alexander Dubček’s aim of keeping socialism while allowing greater freedom of expression and improving people’s quality of life.

Limited social contact and access to supportive relationships. A person can experience this even while living with other people.

Having limited social contact and relationships with other people.

An issue concerning how designing, making or using a product affects people, including working conditions, health and safety.

A campaign in early-1960s China intended to restore communist ideological commitment in the Communist Party, government and society.

An official Soviet artistic approach that presented an idealised view of socialism, glorifying workers, achievements and political leaders.

Fair treatment of people and efforts to address unjust inequalities in society.

Learning through observing and imitating other people.

An explanation of learning through observing other people and imitating their behaviour, particularly when they are rewarded.

Putting less individual effort into a shared task than into the same task performed alone.

Behaviour whose meaning and acceptability are determined by its social context, rather than the act alone.

Online platforms on which users and businesses create and share content and interact with others.

Online platforms where users can create and share content and interact with others, such as Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.