Society: English Vocabulary List

the scientific study of human society, its nature, structure, and development, as well as social behavior

"Sociology is about human society."

"A core concept in sociology is the distinction between 'micro' interactions"

the study of the origins and developments of the human race and its societies and cultures

"She is studying anthropology to learn about old cultures and ancient people."

"Anthropology is the holistic study of human societies and cultures across time"

a social group made up of people who hold the highest social position and are usually quite wealthy

"The upper class often sends its children to private schools."

"Upper class people often live in large houses and send their children to expensive schools."

the social class between the upper and lower classes that includes professional and business people

"Middle class family."

"The middle class family works hard to provide good education for their children every day."

the social class consisting of people with the lowest position in society and the least money

"The lower class faced difficult economic conditions."

"The lower class struggles with poverty and limited opportunities in many societies."

wealth that has been inherited and not earned

"She comes from old money and never needs to work."

"The old money family has been wealthy for many generations."

the class of people with the highest social or political ranks and titles

"Nobility was respected."

"The nobility lived in grand estates and enjoyed many privileges that were not available to the poorer classes of society."

the society's middle class

"The bourgeoisie prospered."

"The bourgeoisie historically refers to the middle class who own capital and property."

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."

someone who believes that a particular group of people, especially one determined by sex, religion, or race, is better than other groups and should dominate them

"The white supremacist was arrested for inciting violence."

"The white supremacist group was condemned by the government last week."

someone who is in a position of power, especially in the past

"The feudal overlord owned all the land in the village."

"The cruel overlord ruled the land with absolute power many centuries ago."

the belief that cultural diversity within a society should be respected

"Multiculturalism is very important."

"The city celebrates multiculturalism by hosting festivals representing various ethnic groups."

an implicit agreement among citizens about collaboration in a way that benefits everyone in the society

"We obey laws for social contract."

"By living in a society we implicitly agree to a social contract that includes obeying laws and respecting others' rights."

any remark, comment, act, or statement that consciously or unconsciously expresses prejudice or discrimination against a group or member of society

"His comment was a microaggression that made her uncomfortable."

"His comment asking where she was "really from" was a microaggression that made her feel like a foreigner in her own country."

relating to a group of people with shared culture, tradition, history, language, etc.

"The music is ethnic."

"The festival celebrated the rich ethnic diversity of the local community."

referring to people with light or white skin, typically of European origin

"He is Caucasian."

"He is Caucasian with fair skin and light brown hair that curls slightly at the ends."

a method of gender classification that categorizes all people into either male or female

"Gender binary system."

"The gender binary system divides people into only male and female categories."

the qualities or attributes that are considered to be typical of or suitable for men

"He felt he had to prove his masculinity."

"Traditional masculinity emphasizes strength and emotional control in many cultures."

the qualities or attributes that are considered to be typical of or suitable for women

"Traditional femininity is often associated with gentleness."

"Traditional femininity emphasizes gentleness and nurturing qualities in many societies."

a person's internal sense of being male, female, both, neither, or another gender

"Gender identity important."

"Gender identity is very important for many people to feel comfortable in their own body."

related to someone whose gender identity does not fit in the traditional binary categories of male or female

"My friend is non-binary."

"My friend is non binary and uses they and them pronouns instead of he or she."

(of a person) having no sexual interests or not experiencing any sexual attraction

"He identifies as asexual."

"He identifies as asexual and does not feel sexual attraction to anyone regardless of gender."

related to or describing a person whose sense of gender matches their biological sex

"She is cisgender."

"She is cisgender which means her gender identity matches the sex she was assigned at birth."

someone who enjoys wearing clothes that are usually worn by the opposite sex

"The actor was transvestite."

"The transvestite person wore clothing traditionally associated with the opposite gender."

describing or relating to someone whose gender identity does not correspond with their birth sex

"He is transgender."

"The transgender woman finally felt comfortable in her own body after undergoing hormone therapy and receiving support from her family and friends."

describing or relating to a transgender person, especially one whose bodily traits have been modified through a surgical operation or hormone therapy to align them with their gender identity

"He is transsexual."

"He is transsexual and has undergone medical treatment to transition from female to male."

relating to someone whose gender identity is unstable and can change over time

"My sibling is gender-fluid."

"My sibling is gender fluid and feels like a man some days and a woman other days."

a person of the same age, social status, or capability as another specified individual

"He is my peer."

"As a member of the House of Lords he is considered a peer of the realm."

lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning

"The organization supports LGBTQ rights."

"The LGBTQ community celebrates Pride Month every June to honor the history and achievements of lesbian gay bisexual and transgender people."

the state of having the sex organs or other sexual features of both genders

"Intersex individuals have physical characteristics of both sexes."

"Intersex condition means a person is born with physical characteristics of both sexes."

related to a person who is sexually and emotionally attracted to people regardless of their gender or sex

"She is pansexual."

"She is pansexual and is attracted to people regardless of their gender identity or biological sex."

a group of people with similar social standing, education, or income

"The rich stratum."

"The study examined the social mobility between the lower and upper stratum of society."

an employee who is under the authority or control of another person

"He is my subordinate."

"The new manager quickly asserted authority over her subordinate team members."

relating to the activities or duties of individuals concerning their town, city, or local area

"He performed civic duty."

"Volunteering at the local soup kitchen is a meaningful way to fulfill your civic responsibility."

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."

involving, done, or shared by all members of a group

"We made a collective decision."

"We made a collective decision as a team so everyone shares responsibility for the outcome."

(of a person) having a sexual or romantic attraction to people of the same gender

"She is homosexual."

"The novel explores the challenges and joys of a homosexual relationship in a conservative society."

(of a person) having a sexual or romantic attraction to people of the opposite gender

"He is heterosexual."

"He openly discussed his heterosexual orientation and his desire to find a compatible life partner."

(of a person) having a sexual attraction to people of both their own gender and other genders

"He is bisexual."

"Her bisexual identity meant she experienced romantic and emotional connections with people of multiple genders."