NCEA L1 Social Studies key terms

A school subject that studies how people live together in groups, how societies are organised, and how decisions are made about resources, rights, and responsibilities.

A structured process of asking questions, gathering and examining evidence, considering different viewpoints, and drawing conclusions supported by that evidence.

The different ways people see an issue, shaped by their culture, values, experiences, and position in society. Good inquiry considers several perspectives rather than only one.

Ideas about what matters and what is right or desirable, held by individuals or groups. Values influence how people judge an issue and what actions they support.

A person's settled feelings or stance towards something, such as support, distrust, or indifference. Attitudes often reflect underlying values and can change with new experiences.

A leaning towards one view that unfairly favours or disadvantages something. Bias can appear in how information is selected, worded, or presented, and it affects how reliable a source is.

Information used to support a claim or conclusion, such as statistics, documents, interviews, or observations. Evidence must be checked for relevance and reliability before it is relied on.

How trustworthy a piece of information or a source is. Reliability depends on who produced it, why, when, and whether it can be checked against other sources.

Material created at the time of an event by someone involved or present, such as a letter, photograph, treaty, diary, or official record. It offers direct, though not automatically unbiased, evidence.

An account produced later by someone who was not present, such as a textbook, documentary, or history article. It interprets and summarises primary material and may carry the author's own viewpoint.

The position from which a person speaks or writes, including what they know, what they want, and what they may leave out. Identifying it helps a reader judge a source's purpose.

Information spread deliberately to persuade people to accept a particular cause or viewpoint, often by selecting facts and using emotional language. It aims to influence rather than to inform fairly.

The relationship between an action or condition and what results from it. In social studies, causes are often multiple and effects may appear long after the original event.

A way of analysing the past or present by identifying what has altered over time and what has stayed the same. It helps explain why some aspects of society shift quickly and others slowly.

The importance of an event, person, or development, judged by how widely, deeply, or lastingly it affected people. Significance depends on the criteria used, so it is open to debate.

A group of people living together under shared rules, institutions, and ways of life. Societies vary in size from a local community to a whole nation and shape how members behave.

The shared beliefs, customs, language, arts, and practices of a group of people. Culture is learned and passed on, and it changes as groups interact and circumstances shift.

How a person or group understands itself and is recognised by others, based on factors such as culture, ethnicity, language, place, and history. Identity can be multiple and can change over time.

The range of differences among people in a group or place, including ethnicity, language, religion, age, ability, and background. Diversity can enrich a society and can also raise questions about fairness.

The movement of people from one place to another to live, either within a country or across borders. Migration is driven by push factors such as conflict and pull factors such as work.

The growth in the proportion of people living in towns and cities rather than rural areas. It brings economic opportunities but can strain housing, transport, and services.

A group of people linked by shared place, interest, or identity who interact and support one another. Communities can be geographic, such as a suburb, or based on shared activity or background.

An established structure through which a society organises important activities, such as education, health, government, family, or religion. Institutions shape behaviour and distribute opportunities and power.

The value of relationships, trust, and networks within a community that allow people to cooperate and support each other. Strong social capital can improve wellbeing and collective problem-solving.

The group of people and institutions that make and enforce laws, set policy, and manage public resources for a country. In New Zealand, government is formed from elected Members of Parliament.

A system of government in which power comes from the people, usually through free and fair elections, and where rights and the rule of law limit what rulers may do.

Belonging to a country with its rights and duties, and the active participation of people in their community and nation. It involves both legal status and responsible involvement.

An agreement signed in 1840 between the British Crown and many Māori chiefs, with Māori and English texts that differ in meaning. It is a founding document of New Zealand's constitution and a basis for partnership.

The legal and constitutional entity that represents the state in New Zealand, acting through Parliament, ministers, and government agencies rather than a single person.

A large Māori kinship group made up of related hapū and descended from a common ancestor. Iwi hold identity, land, and Treaty settlement interests and act through recognised organisations.

A Māori sub-tribal group made up of whānau sharing descent and a marae. The hapū is a central unit of Māori social and political organisation.

A Māori extended family group connected by descent, marriage, or adoption, and often by shared responsibilities. Whānau is a core social unit in Māori society and can extend beyond the household.

Basic entitlements that belong to all people regardless of nationality, sex, ethnicity, or religion, such as freedom of expression and freedom from discrimination. They are protected in law and international agreements.

The fair distribution of opportunities, resources, and treatment within a society, including correcting disadvantages that groups face. It concerns process and outcome, not just equal rules.

An uneven distribution of resources, opportunities, or power among groups, such as gaps in income, housing, or education. Inequality can be measured and often persists across generations.

Meeting present needs without reducing the ability of future generations to meet theirs. It involves balancing economic, social, and environmental considerations in decisions about resources.

How decisions are made about using and protecting natural resources such as land, water, and minerals. It involves competing interests and is governed by laws and local planning processes.

Deliberate steps people take to bring about change, such as campaigning, petitioning, volunteering, or organising meetings. Social action aims to influence decisions or improve conditions in a community.