Question

-Kindly define each of the below-listed terms. Further, use each term in a written sentence to demonstrate that you have a firm understanding of the term from a sociological perspective.

1) Theory

2) Inequality

3) Capitalism

4) Stratification

Answer 1

• 1.A theory provides reasoning for why something may occur or explain patterns in behaviour.A theory not only explains known facts; it also allows scientists to make predictions of what they should observe if a theory is true.Social theories draw the connections between seemingly disparate concepts in order to help us understand the world around us.
  
• Sociologists develop theories to explain social phenomena. A theory is a proposed relationship between two or more concepts. In other words, a theory is an explanation for why a phenomenon occurs.Sociological theory is developed at multiple levels, ranging from grand theory to highly contextualized and specific micro-range theories.
  
• 2.Inequality refers to the measurement of imbalance or unequal distribution in a system, which may be social, economic, political, diversity, etc.Social inequality is the existence of unequal opportunities and rewards for different social positions or statuses within a group or society.
• Social inequality results from a society organized by hierarchies of class, race, and gender that broker access to resources and rights in ways that make their distribution unequal. It can manifest in a variety of ways, like income and wealth inequality, unequal access to education and cultural resources, and differential treatment by the police and judicial system, among others.
• 3.The definition of capitalism is an economic system in which the means of production and distribution are privately or corporately owned and the operations are funded by profits. An example of capitalism is the prison system in the United States being operated by private companies.
• Social scientists view capitalism not as a distinct or detached entity but as a part of the greater social system, one that directly influences culture, ideology (how people see the world and understand their position in it), values, beliefs, norms, relationships between people, social institutions, and political and legal structures.
• 4. Stratification is a system or formation of layers, classes, or categories. Social stratification is a term used to describe the way people in society are sorted into a hierarchy primarily based on wealth, but also based on other socially important characteristics that interact with wealth and income, like education, gender, and race.