Final answer:
A society's concepts and categories for different kinds of things, such as kinds of people, are known as sociocultural constructions, which include social norms, behaviors, and categories that determine the societal structure and individual's role within it.
Step-by-step explanation:
A society's concepts and categories for what kinds of things, including kinds of people, exist are referred to as its sociocultural constructions. These constructions encompass social norms, behaviors, and categories that are defined according to social criteria, shaping our society and how individuals perceive and interact with one another. Notably, race and ethnicity can be seen as forms of these constructions, deeply embedded in language and inform the structure of our society, creating advantages for some and disadvantages for others. Moreover, the concept of kinship systems illustrates sociocultural constructions by establishing a network of social and biological relationships, with varying rules across different cultures. Additionally, these societal constructions form part of the larger context of a socioeconomic system that ranks members of society based on wealth, power, and prestige.
The dominant ideas, or ideologies, in society often attain a status called hegemony, becoming the nearly unanimous worldview that supports the existing social order. It is through these societal constructs that individuals understand their place and role within a larger community, whether it be a neighborhood, country, or cultural group. These constructions are not stagnant but are dynamic and evolve with the society itself, influencing all aspects of life from personal routines to governmental policies.