Definitions of Terms in Political Science Class?

Question

Please Define these Terms Used in Political Science Class.? 
I recently completed some political science courses and really love the subject, & am considering going further in this field. However, my last prof repeatedly used several terms through his many lectures during the semester. I would love to get some clarification of these terms from a Poly Sci perspective. Unfortunately, some of these terms are so basic that I was too embarrased to ask the prof for his definitions and am hoping (under the cover of anonymity) someone would do so here.

Some of these terms are used everyday and I (think) know what they mean in common usage, but I wish to learn how pol scientists would use them. Examples would be appreciated. Here goes:

1. Socio- (as in sociopathic)
2. Socially Constructed or Social Construction
3. Psychosocial
4. Psychopathic
5. Value (as in poltics is the authoritative allocation of scarce values)
6. Normative (as in the methodology, opposite of empiricism). I still don't get how math is normative.

Thank you so much.

llordlloyd · Accepted Answer

1. Socio- the group/society. Socio-path = group-disease.
2. Socially constructed. A concept that exists by the agreement of a group, but that is otherwise not 'real'. For instance that communism = justice or capitalism = progress, or that going to church on Sunday is necessary for eternal life, or that it is polite to take your hat off when greeting someone.  Manners are a good example of social constructions.
3. Psychosocial = 'group' 'think'. Has different meanings, but usually means the tendency of people to think a certain way in groups. For instance, in WW2 the Germans redesigned some aircraft to put the crew close together, so they would perform their duties more effectively through bonding.
4. Psychopathic = 'think' 'disease'.
5. A value is a concept, emotion, or thing that an individual or group values.  For instance some might value a strong community, others individual freedom. Often, we will have two contradictory values at the same time (like this example) and different groups will try to appeal to different values. Most things in the news are there because they in some way appeal to, or threaten, our values.
6. Normative = using a standard pattern or quantity. Empiricism = conclusions drawn from observations or experience.  They are not really opposites or mutually exclusive.

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Definitions of Terms in Political Science Class?

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