Ch 9: Social & Cultural Structure
About This Chapter
Social & Cultural Structure - Chapter Summary
This comprehensive sociology chapter provides a high-level overview of the structure of society and culture. This chapter's instructors will help you review the different types of societies that exist and have existed throughout history, as well as interpret concepts such as social and economic inequality, cultural values, secularization, religious beliefs and more. You'll also find concise definitions of cultural vocabulary. These bite-sized lessons are designed to help you:
- Identify different types of societies and belief systems
- Analyze the theory behind societal structure
- Understand group behavior
- Assess the causes and effects of social inequality
- Know how economic inequality differs between developed and developing nations
- Explain values, morals and ethics
- Recognize different systems of religious belief
- Discuss the secularization of society
- Interpret vocabulary related to culture, cultural institutions, beliefs and cultural influence on geographic regions
These convenient study resources allow you to quickly review topics related to social and cultural structure. The lessons are taught in a straightforward and engaging style, which simplifies the studying process and helps you enjoy it more. Following each lesson is a short quiz to help you check your understanding of the lesson material. You can study these lessons at any time, day or night, and access them on any computer or mobile device.

1. Types of Societies in Sociology
Did you know that there have been six types of societies throughout our history? Learn more about the different types of societies and the characteristics that are associated with each.

2. What Is Social Structure of Society? - Definition & Theory
The way we create relationships with others is based on certain patterns we use daily. This lesson takes you through the definition and theory of social structure in society and offers a quiz to test your knowledge.

3. Group Behavior in Social Psychology: Definition & Influences
Do individuals behave differently in groups than they would on their own? How do group dynamics affect our decision-making skills? You'll learn about the benefits and potential pitfalls than can come from belonging to a group.

4. What Is Social Inequality in Sociology? - Definition, Effects & Causes
Social inequality is the existence of unequal opportunities and rewards for different social positions or statuses within a group or society. Let's examine some causes and effects of poverty and test our knowledge with a quiz.

5. Economic Inequality: Differences in Developed and Developing Nations
Not everyone has the same house, the same car, or makes the same amount of money. In this lesson, we will explore the concept of economic inequality and investigate what characteristics make a nation developed or developing.

6. What Are Values, Morals & Ethics?
In this lesson, learn the differences between ethics and morals. Consider how these terms can mean different things to philosophers compared with the general public and how values factor into the conversation.

7. Belief Systems: Definition & Types
Do you associate with a specific religion or political party? In this lesson, we will discuss belief systems and explore the numerous ways that they influence our lives.

8. What Is Religious Belief? - Definition & Systems
Is there a Heaven? Where did people come from? These questions and more have been answered through the religious beliefs of every human civilization throughout history.

9. Secularization of Society: Definition & Theory
Secularization has played a significant role in shaping the state of modern societies and cultures. Through this lesson, you will learn what defines the secularization process and gain some insight into the various ways in which it is explored by theorists.

10. What Makes a Culture? - Vocabulary
When you think of culture, you probably get a mix of images in your head, which might include things like ceremonies, dress, and food. But what really makes a culture? Watch this lesson to find out more about culture traits, complexes, and hearths.

11. Cultural Institutions & Beliefs: Vocabulary
Have you ever thought about why government is formed the way that it is? In this lesson, we'll look at the way culture structures itself, as well as why people from different cultures eat and behave the way they do.

12. Cultural Influence on a Geographic Region: Vocabulary
How does a culture spread? And how can we study the way that culture changes across physical space? In this lesson, we'll look at two approaches to cultural geography: the core-domain-sphere model and culture regions and realms.
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Other Chapters
Other chapters within the High School Liberal Arts & Sciences: Help & Review course
- Basic Mathematical Logic
- Mathematical Representations
- Numerical, Geometric & Algebraic Relationships
- Scientific Theories & Investigations
- Foundations of Scientific Thought
- Scientific Problem Solving
- Scientific Tests, Graphs & Data
- Effects of Humans on the Environment
- Societal & Cultural Changes
- Political Culture & Socialization
- Political Principles & Power
- Policy & Political Ideology
- Historical & Contemporary Issues & Perspectives
- Social Theories & Perspectives
- Economic Systems & Perspectives
- Religious Philosophies & Influence
- Philosophical Ideas
- Historical Research
- Visual Representations of Historical Data
- Elements of Visual & Performing Arts
- Art Forms, Movements & Periods
- Overview of Literary Genres
- Literary Elements & Analysis
- Source Material Analysis
- Critical Reasoning Analysis
- Writing Syntax & Analysis
- Reference Material Analysis
- Written Expression