Social Sciences: English Vocabulary List

a social system or practice that keeps minority groups separate from the majority, often through separate facilities or services

"Racial segregation ended."

"Racial segregation was declared unconstitutional in the United States during the civil rights movement."

the practice of treating a person or different categories of people less fairly than others

"Fight discrimination in the workplace and schools."

"Employment discrimination based on race gender or religion is prohibited by federal law."

the state of belonging to a certain ethnic group

"The form asked about his race and ethnicity."

"Job applications should not ask about ethnicity because that information could lead to discrimination."

the action of striving to bring about social or political reform, especially as a member of an organization with specific objectives

"Her political activism began during her college years."

"Her dedicated activism focused on environmental protection and sustainable development for her community."

a form of sociopolitical organization in which a centralized authority governs a community or a collection of communities

"Ancient tribal chiefdom."

"The chiefdom was ruled by a powerful leader many centuries ago."

the process of people moving from rural areas to urban areas, resulting in the growth of cities and the expansion of urban areas

"Urbanization causes many people to move to cities."

"Rapid urbanization has caused many cities to expand outward consuming farmland and natural habitats."

a society that has developed its own culture and institutions in a particular period of time or place

"Ancient civilization thrived."

"The ancient Egyptian civilization lasted for thousands of years along the Nile River."

the process through which individuals within a society or group learn and internalize behavior patterns, norms, values, and customs through interactions, education, and social experiences

"Child socialization important."

"Proper socialization helps children learn how to behave in society from an early age."

any of the basic freedoms or rights that protect individuals from unfair treatment and ensure equality under the law, regardless of race, gender, religion, disability, or other characteristics

"Important civil right."

"Freedom of speech is a fundamental civil right in democratic countries."

the situation or condition that is currently at hand

"Maintain status quo."

"Many people want to maintain the status quo instead of making necessary changes."

the process of developing and expanding industries within a region or country, involving the increased production of goods through the use of advanced machinery, technology, and organized labor

"Industrialization changed the country greatly."

"Import substitution industrialization is a trade policy that advocates replacing foreign imports with domestic production to boost a local economy."

people in the highest class of society who have a lot of power and wealth and usually high ranks and titles

"The aristocracy had power."

"The aristocracy ruled the country for many years."

a large, important city that serves as a significant economic, political, or cultural center for a region or country

"Big modern metropolis."

"Tokyo is a huge metropolis with millions of residents and advanced technology."

the physical and organizational assets, such as roads, bridges, utilities, and public services, that support economic activity and daily life

"The government plans to invest heavily in new infrastructure."

"A country's infrastructure includes its physical systems like roads"

the understanding that others have thoughts, feelings, and perspectives that are different from one's own

"Theory of mind develops."

"Theory of mind helps us understand that other people have their own thoughts and feelings."

the deliberate and nonviolent refusal to obey certain laws, demands, or commands of a government or authority, typically as a form of protest

"Peaceful civil disobedience."

"Martin Luther King used peaceful civil disobedience in the fight for equal rights."

the behavior or attitude that does not follow established norms, conventions, or expectations within a society or group

"His nonconformity made him stand out."

"His artistic nonconformity made him stand out from other painters of his time."

a person who has been rejected or excluded from a social group or society, often due to their behavior, beliefs, or social status

"The outcast lived alone on the hill."

"The outcast lived alone on the edge of the village shunned by his neighbors who feared him."

a person who is forced to leave their own country because of war, natural disaster, etc.

"The refugee fled from war."

"A refugee is a person forced to flee their country due to persecution"

a local administrative unit in certain countries, functioning as the smallest division of government

"The French commune."

"The local commune was responsible for managing public services and collecting taxes within its small district."

the outer areas or parts of a city or town

"The outskirts are far away."

"On the outskirts of the city, several new housing developments have been constructed recently."

a draining and stressful lifestyle that consists of constantly competing with others for success, wealth, power, etc. and so leaving no room for rest and pleasure

"Corporate rat race."

"Many people want to escape the stressful corporate rat race of modern city life."

an area with a church of its own that is under the care of a priest

"The parish held a fair."

"The priest announced the upcoming bake sale to raise funds for the entire parish community."

a system that divides the people of a society into different social classes based on their wealth, privilage, or profession

"The caste system divided society into rigid social classes."

"The caste system in traditional Indian society divided people into rigid social groups based on birth with very limited opportunity to move from one caste to another."

a level or rank in an organization, profession, or society, indicating a person's status or authority within that hierarchy

"Upper echelon invited."

"Only the upper echelon of society was invited to the exclusive event last month."

marked by discrimination against or prejudice toward individuals or groups based on their social class

"His comment is classist."

"The classist remark assumed that poor people are lazy and the speaker ignored the structural barriers that keep them from succeeding."

referring to factors or conditions that involve both social and economic aspects

"Her status is socioeconomic."

"The socioeconomic status of a family affects the quality of education healthcare and housing that they can afford for their children."

relating to a social system where men hold primary power and authority over women and families

"The system is patriarchal."

"The patriarchal society placed men in positions of power and women had few opportunities to make decisions or lead."

showing concern for the well-being of people and acting to improve human welfare

"The work is humanitarian."

"The humanitarian organization sent food water and medical supplies to the disaster zone and their workers saved thousands of lives."

displaying violent acts for the sake of a social or political aim

"The group is militant."

"The militant group carried out several attacks on government buildings and the army was sent to the region to restore order."

characteristic of or relating to a residential area outside a city or town

"They live in a suburban town."

"The suburban house has a large yard and a two car garage and is located near good schools and parks."

to treat a person, group, or concept as insignificant or of secondary or minor importance

"Do not marginalize minority groups."

"The new policies tend to marginalize minority groups by excluding them from important decision making processes."

to systematically collect and record demographic data about a population

"The government censuses the population every ten years."

"The government plans to census the entire population every ten years to collect important demographic data."

to help someone to restore to a healthy and independent state after a period of imprisonment, addiction, illness, etc.

"The clinic rehabilitates injured athletes."

"The prison offers various programs to rehabilitate inmates and help them reintegrate into society after their release."

a small group of people who differ in race, religion, etc. and are often mistreated by the society

"The minority group demanded equal rights."

"The minority group faced discrimination in housing and employment so activists organized protests to demand equal treatment under the law."

the capacity or power of an individual or entity to take action, make decisions, and influence or control their environment or circumstances

"She has agency."

"Empowering individuals with greater agency allows them to take control of their own lives and futures."

a large group of people who are related to each other

"The Scottish clan gathered for the annual meeting."

"The Scottish clan gathered for a reunion wearing their traditional tartan kilts and playing bagpipes."

a cooperative or united group of individuals, entities, or elements working together for a common purpose or interest

"The farm is run as a collective where everyone shares the work."

"A collective is a cooperative enterprise where members jointly own and democratically control the means of production"

the statistical characteristics of a population, such as age, gender, and ethnicity

"The demographic changed."

"The company's target demographic is women aged twenty five to forty with college degrees."

an organizational structure characterized by strict procedures, rules, and regulations designed to manage complex tasks or activities efficiently

"Too much bureaucracy."

"The sheer volume of paperwork involved in the bureaucracy often hinders progress and innovation."

kings and queens and any member of their families

"The queen is royalty."

"Members of the British royalty are often expected to maintain a certain level of public decorum."

the state of being valid, justifiable, or morally acceptable

"Political legitimacy questioned."

"The government struggled to maintain its legitimacy in the eyes of the people after the scandal."

a person's social rank or position within a structured hierarchy or society

"His station was high."

"Despite his humble origins, he achieved a respectable station in society through hard work."

having a low social rank or position, often characterized by modesty

"He was a humble man."

"The humble farmer worked diligently, never seeking recognition for his significant contributions to the community."

relating to the original inhabitants of a particular region or country, who have distinct cultural, social, and historical ties to that land

"They are indigenous people."

"The indigenous tribe fought to preserve their ancestral lands and unique cultural heritage from exploitation."

including a wide range of people with different nationalities and cultures

"The city is cosmopolitan."

"The cosmopolitan city attracts people from all over the world and you can hear many different languages spoken on the streets."

referring to a vision of an ideal society, where everything is flawless or nearly perfect

"The vision is utopian."

"The utopian vision of a perfect society sounds wonderful but human nature makes such ideals very difficult to achieve in reality."

advocating for social, political, or economic reform and improvement

"She is progressive."

"The politician advocated for progressive policies aimed at improving education and healthcare for all citizens."

to integrate into a new environment, often by adopting its language, norms, values, and practices

"They assimilate well."

"Immigrants often struggle to assimilate into a new culture, facing challenges with language and social norms."