SCC Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield SCC facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which leadership style involves the leader making all decisions without input from group members? → Authoritarian
2. Which concept describes the ideology that success is achievable by anyone through hard work, regardless of social origin? → The American Dream / meritocracy myth
3. Which term describes the rapid cultural homogenization resulting from global media and consumer markets? → McDonaldization
4. How does documentation support quality in Social Theory? → It creates records, ensures consistency, and enables improvement
5. Which study approach is most effective for Globalization material? → Active recall with practice questions
6. Heavy metal music fans who reject mainstream pop culture most closely represent a: → Counterculture
7. Resocialization, such as that occurring in prisons or the military, is best characterized as: → Unlearning former norms and adopting a new set of values and behaviors
8. Which concept describes how minority groups within a larger group can sometimes influence the majority? → Minority influence
9. Which sociological perspective emphasizes that social institutions primarily serve to maintain stability and consensus in society? → Functionalism
10. What role does ethics play in Social Theory practice? → It guides professional conduct and protects stakeholders
11. A 'moral panic' occurs when: → Society overreacts to a perceived threat, labeling a group as a danger to social values
12. What role does ethics play in Social Institutions practice? → It guides professional conduct and protects stakeholders
13. The 'working poor' refers to individuals who: → Work full-time or part-time yet still live in or near poverty
14. The concept of the 'underclass' in stratification research primarily refers to: → A chronically poor group structurally excluded from mainstream economic life
15. In the context of deviance, 'stigma' as theorized by Erving Goffman refers to: → A deeply discrediting attribute that reduces a person to a tainted identity
16. Which term describes a system where social rewards are distributed based on individual merit, talent, and effort? → Meritocracy
17. In sociological research, 'generalizability' refers to: → The ability to apply findings from a sample to a broader population
18. The concept of 'looking-glass self,' developed by Charles Cooley, suggests that our self-image is formed by: → How we imagine others perceive us
19. The concept of 'social mobility' refers to: → The ability of individuals or groups to move between positions in a stratification system
20. In Milgram's obedience experiments, which factor most significantly reduced participants' obedience? → Moving the authority figure out of the room
21. The 'sick role,' as defined by Talcott Parsons, includes the expectation that ill individuals should: → Be exempt from normal social responsibilities while seeking to recover
22. The concept of 'reintegrative shaming,' proposed by John Braithwaite, suggests that crime is reduced when: → Shaming focuses on the act while reaccepting the offender into the community afterward
23. The 'feminization of poverty' refers to which trend? → A disproportionate increase of women among those living in poverty
24. The 'McDonaldization' of society, a concept by George Ritzer, primarily illustrates which aspect of globalization? → The spread of rationalization and standardization worldwide
25. Which term describes the practice of a newly married couple establishing a household separate from both families of origin? → Neolocal residence
26. What is the primary purpose of professional certification in Stratification? → To validate competency and knowledge in the field
27. The primary function of economic institutions in society is to: → Regulate the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services
28. Informed consent in sociological research requires that participants: → Understand the study's purpose and agree to participate voluntarily
29. What is the relationship between theory and practice in Social Theory? → Theory provides the foundation; practice applies it to real situations
30. What is the most prevalent family structure in the contemporary United States? → Nuclear family