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Definition The social learning theory suggests that people learn by observing, imitating, and modeling the behavior of others, especially those they admire or view as authority figures. This theory emphasizes the role of external influences, such as family mem...

Definition    Social loafing refers to the phenomenon where individuals exert less effort when working in a group compared to when they work alone. This happens because people feel that their individual contributions are less noticeable or less important in a ...

Definition Social norms are the unwritten rules or expectations that guide how people behave in specific social situations. These norms are shaped by the values, beliefs, and practices of a particular culture, group, or society. They help individuals fit into ...

Definition Conflict theory is a sociological perspective that examines how power dynamics, inequality, and conflict shape social structures. From this viewpoint, social stratification is not a natural or inevitable occurrence but rather the result of ongoing s...

Definition The Structural-Functionalist Perspective is a sociological approach that examines how social systems and structures contribute to the stability and functioning of society. From this perspective, social stratification is seen as a natural and necessa...

Definition Socioemotional selectivity theory (SST) suggests that as people age, they tend to prioritize emotionally meaningful information and experiences over less emotionally significant ones. This shift occurs because older adults often recognize their limi...

Definition The sociological imagination, a term coined by C. Wright Mills in 1959, refers to the ability to see the connection between individual experiences and broader social forces. It invites us to look beyond personal circumstances and consider the histor...

Definition Social interaction refers to the process by which individuals communicate and exchange information, ideas, or feelings through verbal (e.g.,talking), non-verbal (e.g., gestures), or digital means. It occurs in various settings, such as families, wor...

Definition Sociological theories of deviance are frameworks used by sociologists to understand, explain, and analyze behavior or actions that deviate from societal norms, values, or expectations. These theories explore why certain behaviors are labeled as "dev...

Definition Social organization refers to the structured patterns of interactions, relationships, roles, and norms within society. It encompasses the institutions, groups, and systems that people create to live together, coordinate activities, and maintain orde...

Definition In psychology, social roles refer to the expectations and behaviors associated with a particular position or identity within society. These roles are shaped by cultural norms, personal relationships, and social interactions. They define how individu...

Definition Social scripts in psychology refer to the learned sequences of behaviors that individuals follow in specific social situations. These scripts guide how people act, speak, and interact with others without conscious thought, helping maintain order and...

Definition The somatosensation system is a part of the nervous system responsible for detecting and processing sensory information from the body's surface and internal organs. It includes sensory receptors in the skin, muscles, and joints that detect stimuli s...

Definition The somatosensory cortex is a region of the brain located in the parietal lobe that plays an important role in processing sensory information related to touch, pain, temperature, and body position. It receives signals from receptors throughout the b...

Definition The somatic nervous system (SNS) is a part of the peripheral nervous system responsible for controlling voluntary muscle movements and processing sensory information. It consists of motor neurons that transmit signals from the central nervous system...

Definition Spontaneous recovery refers to a phenomenon in classical conditioning where a conditioned response (a learned reaction) that has been extinguished temporarily reappears after a period of time without any additional learning or reinforcement. It demo...

Definition The Stanford Prison Experiment was a groundbreaking study conducted in 1971 by psychologist Philip Zimbardo at Stanford University. The experiment aimed to investigate human behavior when individuals assume roles of authority or subjugation, specifi...

Definition The Stages of Moral Development by Lawrence Kohlberg is a theory that describes how individuals progress through different levels of moral reasoning as they develop. Unlike earlier theories, which focused on the content of moral judgments (e.g., rig...

Definition The stages of sleep refer to the distinct phases that occur during a sleep cycle, which is approximately 90-120 minutes long. Sleep is divided into two main categories: Non-Rapid Eye Movement (NREM) and Rapid Eye Movement (REM). NREM sleep has three...

Definition In sociology, status refers to the position or rank that an individual occupies within a social group or society. This position is defined by a set of rights, duties, behaviors, and characteristics expected of someone in that role. Status can be eit...