Page 399 - Social Sciences Humanities - The Ontario Curriculum Grades 9 to 12 - 2013

assimilation. A process by which members
of an ethnic minority group minimize cultural features that distinguish them from the majority culture group or conform to the characteristics of the majority cultural group.
behaviourism. A theory of learning based on the idea that all human and animal behaviours are learned or acquired through pairings of behaviours and rewards or punishments.
clinical psychology. The branch of psychology concerned with the assessment and treatment of mental illness, abnormal behaviour, and psychiatric problems.
cognitive dissonance. A psychological conflict resulting from incongruous beliefs and attitudes held simultaneously.
cognitive psychology. The study of how people perceive, remember, think, speak, and solve problems.
cognitive theory. A theory that explains human behaviour and human development through an understanding of human thought processes.
conflict theory. An overarching theoretical perspective of social science comprising, among other theories, feminist, Marxist, and queer theory, and postcolonial/decolonizing theories. It is a reaction to the conservatism of structural functionalism and focuses on inclusion of and justice for social groups that are traditionally socially, politically, and/or economically marginalized.
credentialism. Reliance on credentials for purposes of conferring jobs or social status.
cultural materialism. A theoretical perspective according to which sociocultural adaptation
is achieved through the interaction of a human population with its environment or material conditions.
culture. The customary beliefs, values, social forms, and material traits of an ethnic, religious, or social group.
decolonizing research methods. A research paradigm primarily concerned with issues of social justice of relevance to the community being researched. According to decolonizing researchers, research should set out to make a difference for the researched, and the participa­ tion of researchers from outside the community should be limited.
demographics. Recent statistical characteristics of a population.
demographic transition. The historical shift of birth and death rates in a population.
deviance. The experience of differing from a norm or from the accepted standards of a society.
discrimination. Unfair or prejudicial treatment of individuals or groups on the basis of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, family status, or disability, as set out in the Ontario Human Rights Code, or on the basis of other, similar factors. Discrimination, whether intentional or unintentional, has the effect of preventing or limiting access to opportunities, benefits, or advantages that are available to other members of society. Discrimination may be evident in organizational and institutional structures, policies, procedures, and programs, as well as in the attitudes and behaviour
of individuals.
ethnography. A qualitative research method according to which empirical data are gathered that are produced in naturally occurring settings, primarily through participant observation and interviews. The goal of ethnography is to describe a cultural group or subculture.
experimental psychology. The branch of psychology that relies on the use of scientific method and quantitative research to study the mind and behaviour. See also clinical psychology.
exploitation. A persistent social relationship in which certain persons are being mistreated or unfairly used for the benefit of others.
GLOSSARY
397