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Sociology

Sociology. An Introduction to Sociology. What is sociology???. Sociology is the social science that studies human society and social behavior. Social Science – Disciplines that study human social behavior or institutions and functions of human society in a scientific manner

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Sociology

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  1. Sociology An Introduction to Sociology

  2. What is sociology??? • Sociology is the social science that studies human society and social behavior. • Social Science – Disciplines that study human social behavior or institutions and functions of human society in a scientific manner • Social Interaction – How people relate to one another and influence each other’s behavior • Social Phenomena – Observable facts or events that involve human society

  3. How is sociology different? • Anthropology – Comparing past/present cultures • Psychology – Behavior and thinking • Economics – Production/Consumption of goods and services • Political Science – Operation of government • History – Study of past events

  4. What Is Culture? • Culture – all the shared products of a human group • Material Culture • Nonmaterial Culture

  5. Material Culture • Automobiles • Books • Buildings • Clothing • Computers

  6. More Material Culture!

  7. Nonmaterial Culture • Beliefs • Family Patterns • Ideas • Language • Political System • Economic System

  8. Components of Culture • Technology • Symbols • Language • Values • Shared beliefs of good/bad and right/wrong

  9. Norms • Norms – Shared rules of conduct that tell people how to act in specific situations • What social norms can you think of that exist in our society? • Mores – Norms that are widely observed and have great moral significance • Laws

  10. Examining Culture • Cultural Trait – an individual tool, act, or belief that is related to a particular situation or need. • What are some cultural traits? • Examples • Using forks, knives, and spoons • Specific greetings (Boss, Teacher, Friend, Mom)

  11. Culture Complexes • Individual cultural traits combine to form the next level…cultural complexes. • Cultural complexes – a cluster of interrelated traits. • Football is a culture complex that involves a variety or traits.

  12. Football, a Culture Complex • Material Traits: • Helmets • Pads • First Aid Kits • Benches

  13. Football, a Culture Complex • Specific Acts: • Passing • Catching • Running • Tackling

  14. Football, a Culture Complex • Specific Beliefs: • Certain Rules Should Be Followed • Penalties Should Be Given

  15. What Do We Have In Common? • Cultural Universals – features that are common to all cultures • Family • Funeral Ceremonies • Shelter • Dancing

  16. More Cultural Universals • Religion • Sports • Myths and Folklore • Gift Giving • Body Adornment

  17. Variations in Cultures • Ethnocentrism – the tendency to view one’s own culture and group as superior • Cultural Relativism – the belief that cultures should be judged by their own standards rather than applying the standards of another culture • In other words…KEEP AN OPEN MIND!

  18. Countercultures • Counterculture – reject society’s norms and replaces them with their own • Hippies • Organized Crime Families • Anarchists

  19. Traditional American Values • Although Americans are extremely different, for the most part we all share certain values • Sociologist Robin M. Williams analyzed American values and came up with a list of 15 • What do you think of when someone says “traditional American values”?

  20. Traditional American Values • Personal Achievement • Achievement often measured by power or wealth • Individualism • Individual effort is the key to personal achievement • Can be negative…failure = that person is to blame • Work • Americans value hard work

  21. Traditional American Values • Morality and Humanitarianism • Helping those less fortunate (Haiti, Syria) • Efficiency and Practicality • Judge new technology on its usefulness • Progress and Material Comfort • Technology + Science = A more comfortable world

  22. Traditional American Values • Equality and Democracy • “We hold these truths to be self-evident…” • Civil Rights Movement • Freedom • Freedom of religion, speech, bear arms • Patriotism • Pledge of allegiance, national holidays, 9/11

  23. Our Changing Values • Choose one or more of the traditional American values we covered in class on Friday. • Why do you consider these values to be important? • Explain how this value does or does not differ from those of your elders? (Parent, Guardian, Teacher, Coach)

  24. Our Changing Values • Self-fulfillment – a commitment to the full development of one’s personality, talents, and potential…think, self-help seminars • Leisure • Physical Fitness • Youthfulness • Does television, radio, and advertisements demonstrate and reflect these values?

  25. More Changing Values • Narcissism – Extreme self-centeredness • Is this a bad thing? • List the pros and cons • A rapidly changing American value • Environmental Protection

  26. Internalization of Norms • Think back to last week…what are norms? • Norms – Shared rules of conduct that tell people how to act in specific situations • Societies develop norms that reflect the cultural values its members consider important • Enforced in two ways…internalization & sanctions

  27. Internalization • Internalization is the process by which a norm becomes part of an individual’s personality • What do you do as soon as you sit down to eat at a restaurant? • What do you do as soon as the traffic signal turns red?

  28. What are sanctions? • Sanctions - Rewards or punishments used to enforce conformity to norms • Positive Sanctions • Negative Sanctions • Formal Sanctions • Informal Sanctions

  29. Positive Sanctions • Positive Sanction – An action that rewards a specific type of behavior • What are some examples of positive sanctions? • Good Grades • Pay Raises • Cheers

  30. Negative Sanctions • Negative Sanction – Punishment or the threat of punishment used to enforce conformity • Is the threat usually enough to deter behavior? • What are some examples of negative sanctions? • Ridicule • Frowns • Imprisonment

  31. Formal Sanctions • Formal Sanctions – Reward or punishment given by a organization or agency • Positive • Diploma, Pay Raise, Award • Negative • Low Grades, Suspension, Job Termination

  32. Informal Sanctions • Informal Sanction – A spontaneous expression of approval or disapproval by an individual or group • Positive • Standing ovation, compliments, pat on the back • Negative • Frowns, insults, exclusion from a group

  33. Example 1

  34. Example 2

  35. Example 3

  36. Example 4

  37. Example 5

  38. Example 6

  39. Example 7

  40. Example 8

  41. Example 9

  42. Example 10

  43. Social Control • Social Control - the enforcing of norms through either internal or external means • Internalization is the best form of social control • Social Control Agencies: • Police & Courts • Religion • Family

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