Sociological Perspectives
Sociological perspectives explain how individuals and groups experience life and portray their behaviours within society, examining the norms, values, rules and institutions. There is argument over which perspective is most accurate because there are a range of perspectives with different views. However, they all take a similar approach and disagree with the view that an individual’s behaviour is freely chosen by them. In relation to this essay some sociologists suggest that behaviour is natured, shaped by biological factors while other sociologists believe that behaviours are nurtured, shaped by their social environment.
The nature debate focuses on how an individual’s behaviours are viewed as natural and biological.
‘We have survived and …show more content…
For example, they would suggest that criminal activity takes place because the individual has been born with a criminal gene, meaning that they are more likely than others to partake in such activities.
The debate also emphasises that many non-human gestures are instinctive and refer to this as a system of closed call gestures. These gestures are actions which are automatic and have no meaning attached to them. This source of communication only means one thing to that specific species. For instance, when a beaver senses danger it will instinctively slap its tail on the water which signals to other beavers that they are also in danger. Therefore this may conclude that human behaviour is rooted in biology and genetics.
On the other hand, the nurture debate focuses on how an individual’s behaviours are shaped by their social environment. The different individual behaviours may occur between members of the same society which are influenced through the process of socialisation. ‘If all children receive the same socialization, it is likely that they will share the same beliefs and expectations.’ (O’Neil, 2011) Institutions such as the family, education, peers and youth clubs teach people how to act and behave within society according the norms and values of the culture. Therefore, there is no element of choice because the individual’s behaviour is nurtured by the social …show more content…
Therefore the knowledge is constructed to be true. Social constructions are specific to culture, as each culture has its own view on what is seen as right and wrong or true and false. Cultures also have rules for who the keepers of truth are and not everyone has this ability. Generally, the keepers of truth are those individuals in power who control information, define the norms and values of society and manipulate events to influence what other individuals think and
The nature debate focuses on how an individual’s behaviours are viewed as natural and biological.
‘We have survived and …show more content…
For example, they would suggest that criminal activity takes place because the individual has been born with a criminal gene, meaning that they are more likely than others to partake in such activities.
The debate also emphasises that many non-human gestures are instinctive and refer to this as a system of closed call gestures. These gestures are actions which are automatic and have no meaning attached to them. This source of communication only means one thing to that specific species. For instance, when a beaver senses danger it will instinctively slap its tail on the water which signals to other beavers that they are also in danger. Therefore this may conclude that human behaviour is rooted in biology and genetics.
On the other hand, the nurture debate focuses on how an individual’s behaviours are shaped by their social environment. The different individual behaviours may occur between members of the same society which are influenced through the process of socialisation. ‘If all children receive the same socialization, it is likely that they will share the same beliefs and expectations.’ (O’Neil, 2011) Institutions such as the family, education, peers and youth clubs teach people how to act and behave within society according the norms and values of the culture. Therefore, there is no element of choice because the individual’s behaviour is nurtured by the social …show more content…
Therefore the knowledge is constructed to be true. Social constructions are specific to culture, as each culture has its own view on what is seen as right and wrong or true and false. Cultures also have rules for who the keepers of truth are and not everyone has this ability. Generally, the keepers of truth are those individuals in power who control information, define the norms and values of society and manipulate events to influence what other individuals think and