Glossary of Sociological Terms - compiled and edited by - Clement S. Mihanovich, Ph.D.; Robert J. McNamara, S.J.; William N. Tome, S.J.

Sep 28, 2026

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Glossary of Sociological Terms defines sociology and related social-science concepts to help students understand what they study more precisely. The preface explains the need for clear, science-wide definitions and notes that many entries are operational in nature due to sociology’s developing boundaries. Terms are organized under broad categories, with basic terms emphasized in large capitals and subsidiary terms in bold formats. The glossary is presented as generally acceptable yet not universally endorsed, drawing from graduate and undergraduate coursework, synthesis by co-editors, and contributions from expert review.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLiterature

FormatPDF

Pages46

Reading Time1 h 11 min

AccessFree to download

Preface

Purpose and need for definitions

Scope beyond sociology

How terms are organized and indexed

Development process and acknowledgements

Notes on repeated terms and cautions

Gitssacy o sclogcl temsMihanovich Duquesne lniversity; 61n Gift of Rev。Francis R.Duffy C.S.Sp. # GLOSSARY OF Clement S.Mihanovich,Ph.D.Robert J.McNamara,S.J.William N.Tome,S.J. rancis R.Duffy,0.5.Sp.rman;Sociology Dept.DigitizelH“HenerDrshiyein 2024 https:/archive.org/details/glossaryofsociol0000clem # Glossary ofSOCIOLOGICAL TERMS COM PILED AND EDITED BY CLEMENT S.MIHANOVICH,PH.D.SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY ROBERT J.McNAMARA,S.J.wOODSTOCK COLLEGE WILLIAM N.TOME,S.J.wOODSTOCK COLLEGE THE BRUCE PUBLISHING COMPANYMILWAUKEE 工 413036 .MS # PREFACE The purpose of this book is to give the sociology and social science studenta more precise idea of what he is studying and to provide him with a seriesof concepts whereby he can examine the subject.The book attempts toanswer,partially at least,the perennial but most diffcult of all questions,"What do you mean by that?" One of the great needs in sociology today is the definition of terms andconcepts used.It is extremely important that every science have a clear-cutdefinition of the terms used in it.Unfortunately such clarity does notcharacterize the whole of sociology which is still,comparatively speaking,a young science. This is an attempt,assuredly not a definitive attempt,to remedy a vitalneed in sociology,at least in part.The concepts and terms here defined arenot universally acceptable in sociology;that is,all sociologists will not neces-sarily subscribe to all these definitions.However,the sociological concepts ashere presented are,at least,generally acceptable to sociologists.Admittedlya good number of them are operational definitions but this is,to a greatextent,caused by the present limits of sociology in this respect. The usefulness of these definitions is by no means confined to the fieldof sociology.Concepts related to sociology,directly or indirectly,are in-cluded.These concepts touch on the felds of economics,statistics,socialpsychology,political science,social pathology,ecology,education,genetics,history,religion,methodology,psychology,philosophy,theology,social an-thropology.Thus the student is given a multifaceted view of sociologicalconcepts.Consequently,these definitions will prove useful to both under-graduate and graduate students in the social sciences and the relateddisciplines.Although this book is geared to the sociologist or to the generalstudent of sociology,it can serve as a handy source for sociology's sistersciences. The terms used and defined are grouped under broad categories.Thesemay be referred to as basic concepts.Terms related to,associated with,oremanating from the basic terms are defined under the basic term.For easein referring to any term,the student is advised to check the Glossary Index(pp.32f.),where all terms defined,whether basic or subsidiary,are listedin alphabetical order.Basic terms are in bold face large capitals;subsidiaryterms,in bold face large and small capitals;terms subordinate to subsidiaryterms,in bold face lower case letters. These definitions are the result of five years'work in both the graduateand undergraduate sociology courses of C.S.Mihanovich of Saint LouisUniversity.Dozens of students have worked on these definitions and it is DEC 101962 impossible to give all of them credit.After five years of work the definitionswere turned over to W.N.Tome and R.J.McNamara who then proceededto organize and synthesize the results,checking the end product by submittingthe completed manuscript to experts in the various fields.Dr.Mihanovichchecked all and revised some of the definitions after the manuscript wascompleted. Since these definitions have not been taken from one source but are theresult of careful work based on the writings of many in the various fieldscovered by the definitions,it was impossible to note the source of thedefinitions.However,the basic terms that form the categories of definitionswere constructed by Rev.Laurence McHattie,S.J.,of Saint Louis University.To him we owe a

FAQs

What is the purpose of this glossary?

It aims to give sociology and social science students a clearer idea of what they are studying, using a series of concepts and definitions to analyze the subject.

Are the definitions universally accepted by all sociologists?

No. The preface states that the concepts and terms are not universally acceptable, though they are generally acceptable to sociologists.

How are the glossary terms organized for quick reference?

Terms are grouped under broad categories, and the student is advised to check the Glossary Index (pp. 32f.), where all defined terms are listed alphabetically. Basic terms use bold face large capitals, while subsidiary and subordinate terms use different bold formats.

Sep 28, 2026

Uploaded by Aria