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Power and authority are foundational concepts in political sociology. Though often used interchangeably in everyday conversation, they carry distinct meanings in a sociological context. Understanding the difference between raw power and legitimate authority is...

Medicalization Medicalization is the process by which non-medical problems become defined and treated as medical issues—often in the form of diagnoses, treatments, or interventions. This concept is central to understanding how power, culture, and institutions ...

The Sick Role The concept of the sick role was introduced by sociologist Talcott Parsons in 1951 to describe the social expectations surrounding illness and medical treatment in modern societies. Rather than viewing illness solely as a biological event, the si...

Definition: The biopsychosocial approach is a framework for understanding human behavior and mental processes by examining the interaction of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors. Core Components: Biological factors: Genetic predispositions, ...

Definition: Dual processing is the principle that the mind operates on two levels at once: a conscious track and an unconscious track. These two tracks work in parallel. Two-Track Mind: Conscious processing: Deliberate, intentional thought (e.g., solving a p...

Definition The nature–nurture issue is a long-standing debate over the relative influence of genetic inheritance (nature) and environmental experience (nurture) in shaping psychological traits and behavior. Modern Perspective Today’s psychological science reco...

Providing Aid and Assistance Societies provide assistance for a variety of reasons—some rooted in compassion, others in pragmatism, and still others in control. While motivations differ, most systems of aid can be understood through three general goals: promot...

Definition De facto segregation refers to the separation of people based on race, ethnicity, or other social categories that occurs indirectly through social norms, economic factors, or individualchoices, rather than being explicitly enforced by law. It is dif...

Perspectives on Forced Help At what point—if ever—should a society require someone to accept help? This question rests at the intersection of personal liberty, public interest, and moral philosophy. While voluntary support is broadly accepted, mandated assista...

Definition An in-depth study of a single case or a small group. Example A researcher wants to study the process of recovery from depression. She conducts structured and/or unstructured interviews with one individual, or a small group of individuals, who have...

Definition An outside influence that affects the dependent and independent variables, potentially distorting results. Example A researcher is attempting to establish whether there is a relationship between social status and resilience. The research design fa...

Definition An abstract concept used in research (e.g., intelligence, stress). Example A researcher is attempting to identify the factors that contribute to happiness. Since happiness is an abstract concept, it is a construct that needs to be explicitly defin...

Definition A statistical measure that describes the extent to which two variables are related. Example Correlation is measured on a scale of -1.0 to 1.0. Scores closer to zero indicate an insignificant relationship between two variables. Negative scores ind...

Definition A study that analyzes data from a population at a single point in time. Example A researcher wishes to examine mental health issues among college students. He gathers data from a sample of students, assessing various aspects of mental health and a...

Definition The variable that is measured in a study to see the effect of the independent variable. Example A researcher wants to study the effects of a new form of therapy on people experiencing anxiety. A sample is selected and randomly assigned to either a ...

Definition A research method that involves manipulating one variable to determine its effect on another. Example A researcher conducts a true experimental study to determine if a new 12-week anti-bullying program improves students’ self-esteem. Two hundred hi...

Definition A testable prediction about the relationship between two or more variables. Example A researcher, after reviewing the academic literature related to narcissistic characteristics, finds that there has been very little mention of the potential connec...

Definition The variable that is manipulated to observe its effect on the dependent variable. Example A researcher wants to study the effects of a new form of therapy on people experiencing anxiety. A sample is selected and randomly assigned to either a contro...

Definition Ensuring participants are fully aware of the study and voluntarily agree to participate. Example Informed consent is a way to make sure that research participants are fully aware of the nature of the research before they consent to participate. An...

Definition A committee that reviews research proposals to ensure ethical standards are met. Example The Institutional Review Board (IRB) reviews research proposed by a research who wants to determine the impact of isolation on cognitive ability. The procedur...