Sociology + Social Change

1. Sociology + Social Change

2. Sociology studies interactions and conflicts within groups to determine how society functions • Norms and predictable behaviours are important if a society is to maintain social order and stability • Sociologists determine whether changes in society are predictable or unpredictable • Sociologists examine previous conditions that brought up change in first place • Helps sociologists predict future trends and changes What is Sociology?

3. All human behaviour is social so the subject matter of sociology ranges from • The family • Mob behaviour • organized crime • religious cults • race, gender and social class • Deviance • Culture • Impact of technology Sociology Subject Matter:

4. To understand the whole picture, it is important to understand the individual components • Microsociology is the study of social encounters, experiences, roles and interactions of individuals • Emphasizes how changes occur in one’s life depending on social and environmental stimuli that surround person • It looks at all the parts that influence a person • General Example: • What occurrences/experiences have occurred to have a stereotype generated and solidified in a person’s mind microsociology

5. Individual Behavioural Processes Cognitive consistency- • Preventative action to stop feelings of segregation/unhappiness • Seek out people that are just like you, so that you aren’t “deviant” (going against the norm) • You consciously seek out things (stimuli) that is consistent with your thoughts, behaviour and attitudes • You avoid conflict through the choices that you make • The goal is balance– at any cost! 2 types of microsociology

6. 2 types of microsociology Cognitive dissonance- Result of an occurrence or action Disconnect Feeling of discomfort with predominant group action. Only way to overcome dissonance is to change behavior or make it consistent with your attitudes that the group has --- unhappiness You do it to gain balance regardless of unhappiness

7. Macrosociology is sociological approach in which groups, social systems and social structures are analyzed on large scale • These type of sociologists are concerned with wide sweeping changes on entire population. • Social Paradigm Shift • When a new set of ideas, beliefs and values become strong enough to effect and change the way individuals perceive reality • Eg. Changing acceptance of Family structures • When change is met by resistance by a dominant group = paradigm paralysis (inability/ refusal to see beyond current systems of thought) • Resistance called confirmation bias  tendency to favour information that confirms beliefs and preconceptions about an issue • Look for answers that prove your point Macrosociology

8. People are uncomfortable with change • We are creatures of habit • We like routines and predictability to maintain balance • This is not how the world works especially in current day What does this all mean?

9. The transformation in the beliefs, interactions, practices, organizations and structures in a society/group • Challenges the status quo • Normalcy = stability Takes many years Prejudice and Discrimination are barriers Social acceptance happens quicker than systemic (official rules esp. in government or formal organizations Social Change

10. As you watch the short clip below, consider the following: • 1) What is the issue that requires the change? • 2) What kinds of changes need to occur to remedy this issue? • Hint: Change happens on multiple levels- individual, group, government, national and global • 3) Why doesn’t the rest of the world care? Let’s deconstruct this idea of social change http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfl8cDZPQzU