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Definition In sociology, magic refers to a set of practices and beliefs that involve the use of symbols, rituals, or actions intended to influence events, outcomes, or natural phenomena through supernatural means. It's important to distinguish this from religi...

Definition The Malthusian Theory of Population Growth, introduced by Thomas Malthus in 1798, suggests that population grows exponentially while food production increases linearly. This imbalance leads to resource shortages and other challenges. The theory outl...

Definition Manifest Functions These are the overt, intentional roles that social structures or behaviors play. They are the obvious purposes we intend when engaging in a particular action or institution. Latent Functions These are the hidden or unintended cons...

Definition The Marxist Theory of Population Growth is a sociological perspective that examines how population growth and demographic changes are influenced by broader economic and social structures, particularly class dynamics and modes of production. Accordin...

Definition Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs is a motivational theory in psychology, proposed by Abraham Maslow in 1943. It suggests that human behavior is driven by a series of needs arranged in a hierarchical order, from the most basic physiological requirements t...

Definition Mass hysteria, also known as collective hysteria or mass delusion, is a sociological phenomenon where a large group of people experiences intense fear, anxiety, or excitement about a perceived threat or situation. This belief spreads rapidly within ...

Definition In sociology, a master status is the social position that dominates all other statuses an individual holds and becomes the primary way others identify or interact with them. It often shapes a person’s self-concept and influences how they are treated...

Definition Material culture refers to the physical objects, artifacts, and built environments created by humans within a particular society or historical context. These items reflect the values, beliefs, practices, and social structures of the people who produ...

Definition The process of assigning numbers or labels to phenomena according to specific rules. Example A researcher wishes to identify whether there is a relationship between self-esteem and happiness. In order to measure these abstract concepts, the resear...

Definition Mechanical solidarity is a concept in sociology introduced by Émile Durkheim that describes the type of social cohesion found in small, traditional societies where people share similar jobs, beliefs, values, and ways of life. This form of solidarity...

Definition A meditative state, in psychology, refers to a mental state characterized by focused attention, calmness, and heightened awareness. It often involves intentionally redirecting one's thoughts away from stress or external distractions toward a specifi...

Definition Sarnoff Mednick's theory of deviance suggests that some individuals are biologically predisposed to engage in antisocial or deviant behavior due to genetic factors. According to Mednick, these individuals have a constitutional vulnerability, meaning...

Definition The medulla oblongata, often referred to simply as the medulla, is a part of the brainstem located at the base of the brain where it connects to the spinal cord. It plays a crucial role in controlling vital life-sustaining functions such as breathin...

Definition Memory is the process by which information is encoded, stored, and retrieved in the brain. It allows individuals to recall past experiences, knowledge, skills, and events, facilitating learning, planning, and decision-making. Example When a child is...

Definition Memory consolidation is the process by which newly acquired information or skills are stabilized and transferred from short-term memory to long-term memory. This process strengthens neural connections in the brain, making it easier to recall the inf...

Definition Memory construction refers to the process by which humans organize and interpret past experiences into coherent memories. It involves how we encode, store, and retrieve information, often shaping these memories through personal perspectives, emotion...

Definition Memory reconstruction refers to the process by which humans reconstruct their memories when recalling past events. Unlike a video recording that plays back an exact copy of an event, human memory is dynamic and reconstructive. When we remember somet...

Definition    The Milgram Experiment was a psychological study conducted by Stanley Milgram in 1963 to explore how ordinary people respond to authority figures when instructed to perform harmful actions. In the experiment, participants were told they were test...

Definition Mirror neurons are specialized brain cells that activate both when an individual performs a specific action and when they observe someone else performing the same action. These neurons help us understand others' actions, intentions, and emotions by ...

Definition The misinformation effect refers to a phenomenon in human memory where exposure to incorrect information after an event can alter a person's recollection of that event. This means that false details introduced after the fact can become integrated in...