Our sociological glossary is new; we are in the process of developing our online sociological glossary, with more terms to be added as we go along. If you think there is something we haven't added yet, please let us know.
Glossary
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Labelling Theory
Labelling theory, developed by Howard Becker, argues that being labelled as deviant influences an individual’s self-identity and behaviour, potentially reinforcing deviance.
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Latent and Manifest Functions
Robert Merton’s distinction between manifest functions (intended consequences of actions) and latent functions (unintended consequences).
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League Tables
League tables rank schools based on exam performance, influencing parental choices but often reinforcing educational inequalities.
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Life Course
The life course perspective examines how social, historical, and personal factors shape an individual's experiences over time.
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Linguistic Capital
Linguistic capital refers to the ability to use language in ways that are valued in particular social fields, often conferring social advantage.
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Linguistic Code
Basil Bernstein’s concept of linguistic codes refers to the elaborated code (used by the middle class, valuing abstract reasoning) and the restricted code (used by the working class, relying on shared context).
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Liquid Labour
Zygmunt Bauman’s concept of liquid labour describes the precarious, unstable nature of work in postmodern economies.
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Liquid Modernity
Zygmunt Bauman’s concept of liquid modernity describes a social state in which change is constant, institutions are unstable, and identities are fluid.
