Review for Exam 1 Chapter 1 & 2: Understanding Sociology Introduction Sociology: The specific study of social behavior and human groups Human Groups: Male/Female, Religion, Race, Ethnicity Scientific Study: Study which is observable, measurable, empirical (related to experience) Sociological Perspective: An approach that seeks to understand human behavior in its broader social context Human Behavior: Anything we do Broader Social Context: Cluster of similar cultural positions/ social roles You cannot understand why people do what they do unless you understand the larger social context Example-Love: Factors that influence love Income, education, profession, faith/religion, race/ethnicity, age, gender X1 + X2 + X3= Y Income, education, and profession are all part of Social Location- Place in society Subculture: A segment of society that shares a distinctive pattern of more, folkways, and values that differs from the pattern of larger societies. Social Behavior: Anything we do caused by society Sociology, the Natural and Social Sciences Natural Sciences: Study natural behavior/nature Social Sciences: Study human social behavior Consumption behavior- Economists Power- Political scientists Landscaping- Geographers Cognition/Emotion- Psychologists (individual) Ancient Culture- Anthropologists Past- Historians Make better judgments after more time has passed Sociology: Entire spectrum of society Kinds of Sociology Basic sociology: Sociological research whose only purpose is to make discoveries about social life. Make discoveries about social life Example: Divorce- Discover causes for divorce Applied Sociology: The use of sociology to solve social problems Applies knowledge obtained from discoveries to solve problems Clinical Sociology: A kind of applied sociology in which sociologists become directly involved to bring about social change Bring about social change Example: Decrease rate of divorce Development of Sociology Important People Auguste Comte- French, Positivism 3-Questions What holds society together? What creates social order? What causes society to change? Wanted to uncover laws of society Wanted to import use of scientific method into the study of society. Positivism: Application of scientific methods to the study of social life Subjectivism: Not universal, specific to one individual Sociology Cognate Socius-Being with others Logos- The study of Herbert Spencer: Survival of the fittest/ Social Darwinism Society: Biological Organism Social Evolution: Related social behavior to nature; sociology evolves like an organism The law of natural selection and the survival of the fittest An ideal society of the fittest; intelligent and capable Social Darwinism: No intervention in Society Let those perish who cannot take care of themselves; otherwise we are delaying a ?perfect? society. Eugenics: If you are disabled, or a slave, you cannot procreate. Emile Durkheim- Social Integration/ Social Facts Offered theory that only social facts can explain social facts Fascinated with suicidal behavior in Europe Suicide behavior is social, not biological Why? Males tend to be more introspective, inward looking, inner directed. (Keep to self) When you express your worries, it is healthy Implosion: Explode from within because you have been holding in feelings Why less likely? Extrospective, outward looking, outer directed. (Share easily) Protestants: Lack of custom, open to change No community built around their faith Catholics/Jewish: Tradition based, share customs with family and religious community Unmarried: More likely to commit suicide because you have nothing to worry about except self. (No family) Married: Less likely to commit suicide because they have more obligations to family What would happen to wife and children if you commit suicide? Social Integration: Saves people from committing suicide Lack of Social Integration: Puts people at high risk of suicide Over Integration: Increases suicide rate (altruistic) Example: ?Honor Killing? (military) Pearl Harbor- Japanese pilots who flew into pearl harbor sacrificed their lives They were over-integrated Cause was larger than life L H H Suicide Egoistic Altruistic Suicide Suicide H SI L OI Max Weber: Protestant Ethic/ Spirit of Capitalism Protestant Ethic: Hard work, thrift, and investment Became the ?spirit of capitalism? Found that countries which were more receptive to capitalism were protestant Catholics were resistant Why? The idea of predestination (John Calvin) We are predestined to heaven or hell before birth; will not find out until death You will have a sign if God has chosen you Example- Material Success: God is smiling on you Therefore, people began to work harder and invest in order to make their earnings multiply Karl Marx- Class Struggle Believed that everything evolved around economics Weber realized that protestant religion contributed to the success of capitalism Society: Bourgeoesie: Own ?means of production? Means: Anything which can make something else Proletareiat: Work for owners Other types of classes Slavery: Slaves and masters The estate system: Serfs and landlords Capitalism: Workers and capitalists 99% of people are Bourgeoesie, only 1% are Proletareiat People are ashamed to admit their position in society in relation to the means of production Bourgeoesie own power in politics, military, and authority so that has prevented a revolt of the lower class Class Consciousness: Awareness of our position in relation to means of production False Consciousness: Identifying interests with the class to which one does not belong Major Theoretical Perspectives Theory: A general statement of interrelationship between two or more social facts. Three Key Perspectives Symbolic Interactionism: Society associates meaning with symbols Wink, nod, shrug Applied to micro-level Symbolic Interactionism: Functionalism: Society is made up of independent parts When parts malfunction, we have a society that is out of balance Applied to Macro-level Family was transformed from extended family to nuclear family because of industrialization which has proven to be weaker Divorce is a sign of women?s empowerment Conflict Perspective Sociological Research Scientific Method: A systematic, organized series of steps that ensures maximum objectivity and consistency in researching a problem Selecting a topic Defining the problem Reviewing the literature Formulating a hypothesis Choosing a research design Collecting the data Analyzing the results Sharing the results Example: Topic: Spousal Abuse Definition: Husband/ Wife- Physical abuse with marks of injury Reviewing of Literature: What is already known about spousal abuse, or what is not known? Hypothesis: Spouse Abuse H/W Abusive H Abused Wife Abused W Dead Husbands Alcoholic H Abused Wife Collect Data Analyze Results: If your data confirms hypothesis you can share your findings Even if your hypothesis is wrong, you are still contributing Share Results Six Research Designs Surveys: Quantitative Data Participant Observation: Participating in activity and observing People behave differently when they know they are being observed Qualitative Data Secondary Analysis: You do not collect the data but you are working with the data Reason: Underfunded Ex: Census- we use their data Documentary Analysis: Research about the past which you cannot recreate Look at documents and analyze Ex: Speeches, convos, etc. Unobtrusive Measures: Watching/ observing without people knowing; sneaky Hide identity Experiments (Control groups and experimental groups) Independent Variable: Causes changed Dependant Variable: Gets changed Experimental Group: Exposed to independent variable Control Group: Does not get exposed Back to example of Domestic Abuse When collecting data for domestic abuse in relation to alcoholism, the best method to use would be documentary analysis You could gather information from women?s homes or A.A. because they have already revealed their identity Data will not be 100% accurate though, it will be biased. Chapter 3: Culture Culture: Ways of society, which include language, beliefs, values, norms, and even material objects. Our way of life Every culture has its own society Parents: Our first form of contact with society They teach use cultural norms and what is acceptable Education: Cultural institution that tells us what society wants us to do Material culture: Any culture artifact that is made up of matter Ex: Clock, computer Material culture can teach us about culture of the past Ex: Architecture, community Symbolic (Non-Material) Culture: Culture made up of symbols Numbers, letters, musical symbols Sociologists pay more attention to symbolic culture Elements of Culture Language: A system of symbols to communicate abstract thought; reservoir of cumulative human experience; shared perspectives/ understandings System of Symbols Only distinction between humans and animals Without language, we are like animals Every language is the history of its speakers Meaningful only in culture it is spoken Cannot communicate without symbols The Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis: Our thinking and perceptions are shaped by language; language determines our consciousness Edward Sapir and Benjamin Whorf came up with the hypothesis that ?Language prompts thinking? Ex: Monogamy v. Polygamy, Adultery v. Fidelity, Profit v. Loss If we did not have language, we would lose our ability to think The more you know of a language, the more skilled you are Non-Verbal Communication: Inherited from ancestors Gesticulation- Every society has its own Still with us Norms: Rules of behavior that develop out of values Social Expectations Cannot identify a part of your life that has not been controlled by societal norms Folkways: Not strictly enforced Ex: Someone does not wave back- Interpreted as rude but not enforced Mores: Norms that are strictly enforced; written laws Taboos: Norms whose violation is unthinkable Ex: Incest, cannibalism Sanctions: Reaction to violation or observation of norms. Society?s reaction Positive Sanction: Observation of norm Ex: Picking up trash, serving in the military Negative Sanctions: Social disapproval of violation Ex: Littering, homicide Values: The standards by which people define what is right or wrong Value-Clusters: Series of values hang together to make a whole Ex: Hard work + Efficiency + Achievement = Success Value Contradictions: Observance of one value violates another Ex: Freedom v. Security, Individualism v. Multiculturalism, Equality v. Racism Cultural Variation Subcultures: The values and behaviors of a group that distinguish it from, but not hostile to, mainstream culture. Values differ from main stream, but not opposed. Countercultures: A subculture whose values are different and opposed to mainstream Ex: Misogyny- Hate women Female Genital Mutilation- Africa Foot Binding- China Suttee- India When a person dies, remains are burned and wife sits next to husband?s body and burns to death Bride Burning- South Asia Bride is burned by husband or his parents because of refusal to buy dowry Parents of bride have to buy wedding gift (dowry) Parents do not want daughters as a result Underage Marriage Women are victims in all of these practices Robert Edgerton- Author of sick societies Life Health Prosperity Cultural Education Universals Justice Liberty Any culture that enhances life is superior Any culture that endangers life is inferior Cultural Relativism: Judging other cultures based on your own Ethnocentrism: When you judge other cultures based on your own culture Spread of Culture Cultural Lag: A situation in which non-material culture lags behind changes in the material culture. Material culture changes faster than non-material Ex: Academic Calendar Parents needed children to help with agricultural tasks during the summertime Material culture changed (Industry) Non-Material culture stayed the same (School Year) Cultural Diffusion: Spread of cultural characteristics from one group to another Ex: Fast food chains Cultural Leveling: The process by which cultures become similar to one another Culture become similar to one another It also refers to the diffusion of western culture to the non-western world. At the surface it seems ok Under the surface there is conflict Divide in Cultural Practice Ideal Culture: Norms and values we are aspiring to achieve Ex: Equality Real Culture: We fall short of practicing ideal culture We are not all treated equally Technology and Values Technological Determinism: The view that technology is the driving force behind culture, and human behavior. Technology is driving our norms, values, and behavior Social Construction of Technology: The views that culture (People?s values and special interests) shape the development and use of technology. Culture shapes technology Ex: 60?s sexual revolution Technological Determinism View: The invention of contraceptives led to increasing sexual relations Social Construction of Technology View: The increasing amount of sexual relations led to the development of contraceptives. Chapter 4: Socialization Socialization: The process by which people learn the characteristics of their group?the attitudes, values, and actions though appropriate for them Learning about culture Family is 1st exposure Human Nature The Human Genome Project: Task in charge to solve mystery about Human Life The human body is composed of 60-64 thousand different genes/DNA All people ascended from Africa Rejected that genetics have no effect on social behavior Discovered that 99.9% of DNA is identical in all humans John Locke?s Tabula Rasa: Theory that we are born as a clean slate and people grow up to form a mirror image of society. Federal Children: Raised by Animals Wild Boy of Aveyron (France): Boy had physical characteristics of human, but had animalistic traits Could not speak, naked, walked on 4 limbs Taken to Paris to try to humanize Could not make him human Insensitive to pain/cold Lack of language/ society made him that way Story of Genie (CA) Born with birth defect Parents shut her in basement and secluded her at 1 ½ years old Dropped her food through chute Mother decided to save her at 13 years of age Primitive, un-socialized Did not walk like a human No Language Could not pick up language Supported Environmentalist Theory Story of Isabell (Ohio) Mother was a deaf/mute Communicated through gestures Rescued at 6 years of age After 2 years she gained the competence of a person her age Language transformed her to human and gave her ability to think Self and Socialization Cooley- Looking-Glass Self: The process by which our self develops through internalizing Others? reaction to us. 3 Stages Our Appearance to others You always have someone else in mind You want approval, disapproval How others react to our appearance How people react Think you are smart/dumb Our feelings about others? reactions to our appearance ?self-concept? Feelings about others? reactions If you try presenting yourself as smart and people think you are dumb, it produces a negative self thought Rejection produces negative thought Mead- Developmental Stages Imitation Stage: Infant 2 years and under You imitate what you see Play Stage: Age 4-7 You pretend to be mom/dad to forecast what if feels like to be grown up Game Stage: Age 8 and Up You begin to interact with other people outside of your significant others Significant others: People that immediately surround you This stage continues throughout your life Social Self: A human personality structure that incorporates a collective dimension and individual personal dimension. Social Self Individual Dimension Collective Dimension The ?I? Self (The ?Me? Self) (Unsocialized) Socialized (Challenges Societal Norms) Spontaneous, Unthinking: Subjective, Creative The objective, thinking, deliberate The Significant Other: People that immediately surround you The Generalized Other: Society at large The Mind: A Social Product Mind: Our ability to think We cannot think without symbols Society gives us those symbols Therefore, mind is social product Psychological Approaches Sigmund Freud?s concept of Personality Three Elements of Personality Id: Pleasure-seeking, primitive biological force Ego: Rational Self Superego: Internalization of Society?s values and norms Conscience Regresses Id and channels urges in a socially acceptable way Gives you shame when you do something that society disapproves Gives you pride when you do something good for society Socialization of Emotions Paul Ekman?s Typology of Emotions: Six Basic Emotions: Anger, disgust, fear, happiness, sadness, and surprise Universal Emotions vary according to gender/class/culture Gender Male Female Introspective Extrospective (Reserved) (Expressive) Class Upper Lower Reserved Emotive Culture Eastern Western Emotive Reserved Socialization and Emotions: Socializations not only leads to how to express our feelings, but what emotions to feel Society expects women to be emotional Socializations into Gender Society Clothing Parents Primary Socialization Transmitting norms/values to you Reward children for conforming to norms Passive/Dependent: Daughters Active/Independent: Sons Girls act dumb so they don?t scare away boys Media Ads: Males- Rugged/ Dominant Females- Docile/ Sexy High Status Positions: Males 2-1 We are constantly bombarded with subliminal messages Resocialization: Learn new norms Ex: Elementary, H.S., College, Life Total Institutions: Individuals are cut off from the rest of society Ex: Controlled by those who run Military Prisons Rehab Centers More Likely Less Likely Male Female Protestants Catholics/Jewish Unmarried Married Classes Conflict Resolution Two Bourgeoesie and Proletareiat Over Resources (limited) Classless Society (From everyone according to their abilities, to everyone according to their needs) Symbols Meanings Behavior Divorce Stigma/Failure Fewer divorces Divorce Salvation/ Freedom More divorces Marriage Commitment Stronger Marriage Arrangement Weaker Inter-Related Parts Function Harmony (problem free) Malfunction Disharmony/ Problematic Agriculture and Family Function Strong Family Industrialization and Family Malfunction Nuclear Family Classes Conflict Resolution Bourgeoisie/Proletariat Unequal distribution of resources Classless society Husbands/Wives Material/Non-Material Dissolve unequal Marriage Naturalist Environmentalist Human nature= People?s characteristics (Hereditary) Social Environment influences people?s characteristics We are born with characteristics Human nature is manufactured by society Genetic It is not genetic
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