Sociology class notes

Chapter 1

What is sociology?

Seeks to explain, describe, and predict human behavior

Not concerned with individual human beings

Concerned with human beings in reaction to other human beings

Puts emphasis on group behavior (two or more people) (small group/large groups)

Looks at group social interaction, social behavior an influence of social structures on people

How old is sociology? 200 years

Why did sociology (as social science develop)?

Who was the founding father of sociology?

Main contributions of Sociology
Early

Auguste compte: Founding father of sociology, coined the word sociology

How is Sociology different from other social sciences?

Emile Durkheim: influenced development of functionalism

4 types of suicide by Durkheim:
Egoistic: Mentally ill, lonely, social outcast, depression
Altruistic: Kamikaze pilots, suicide bombers, cult members, obligation to the group,
Fatalistic: Inmates, elderly, terminally ill, hopelessness
Anomic: Anyone who cant deal with chaos, such as stock market crash or 1929-Insecurity

Anomie:
When society’s norms are questions, much social change,
Society is rapidly changing
Institutions are weakened, family, religion.
Gender norms are questioned; values and belief systems are questioned

Theory of structural functionalism

1 If a structure exists in society its because its functional, the social structure exists because it works

Social structures: anything external to people that has ways of affecting us, like religions, schools,

Any pattern of social organization external to people that has a way of influencing us.

Example:
Family
Peers
Media
Religion
School
Exams
Laws
Marriage

3. This theory explains that society s a large social system with inter relation parts, all working together for a reason

4. If something in society is present its because it works for some part of it, it not it ceases to exist, if something continues to exist in society its because it works,

5. Glitches happen. This throws that part of the social system in a state of imbalance.
When the situation is rectified, that part of the social system goes back to a state of equilibrium.

6. if you want to understand why something exists in society look at its relationship with some other parts of the social system.
It must be contributing in some way to some part of it
Otherwise it would cease to exist

The conflict theory:
1: Karl Marx’s ideas led to the development of this theory
2. two social classes: bourgeoisie( ruling class) proletariat( working class)
3: There has always been a history of the exploitations of the ruling class on the working class( Its all about power and money)
4: Marx argues that the powerful will also use different social structures to maintain their position example: criminal justice system, (laws)
The ruling ideas of any age the ideas of its ruling class.
Macrosociology vs. Microsociology

Macro is concerned with large external social structures affecting people.

Macro- is conflict and functionalism( because, it influences large groups of people)
Micro- symbolic and exchange ( deal with trying to help and analyze small groups, to get inside their spaces, get in their heads, try to understand why they act the way they do.

If a situation is studied, a researcher will look at external reasons for causes, economy, environment access to education, strength of the family unit in Canada. Augutus comte: the founding father of sociology, coined the word sociology Emile Durkheim: Influenced development of functionalism

Karl Marx: Led to development of conflict theory involving the bourgeoisie and the proletariat.

Max Weber: Influenced development of Symbolic Interaction Theory.

Exchange Theory:

In all relationships, there is a constant “give and take”

When people give more then they receive on a constant basis, they start feeling more dissatisfied with the relationship or situation.

Important to compromise, not be selfish, not “take each other for granted, not take advantage of people.

Communication is key in order to understand each other’s expectations
(this is why things can get difficult)

In a relationship each should be giving 60-70% ideally.

First essay question:

How would you explain the discipline of sociology to a friend( 3 points)

You could discuss the following

The focus of sociology
The different theories
Macro/micro sociology

How sociology is different from psychology or social work.
- its difference because a social worker goes to look into the family and see why certain things affect people(live with them, collect data), why sociology, looks into the entire society

you could also explain how the application of the exchange theory or the theory of symbolic interaction could help you in relationship or in your career

------ Basic 4 people to know for chapter 1

Augustus compte
Emile durkhiem
Karl marx
Max weber

Canadian Sociology:
First sociology department in Canada: was McGill university 1925

Later 1950’s: fewer than 50 sociologists taught in Canada.

Chapter one continued:

What is sociology work
How old is sociology
Why did sociology( as a social science) develop
Who is the founding father of sociology
How I sociology different from other social sciences
Does sociology use other social sciences to understand social phenomena?

What is the sociological imagination? (Why higher divorce rate, why people marrying later)

What is meant by a persons Culture?

Culture is a shared way of life and of social heritage.

We share: Values, beliefs, morals, language, knowledge, art, technology………

Culture is the way of life of people

What is a subculture?

A culture within the dominant culture
A subset of the larger dominant culture

A group that has retained its own distinctive set of beliefs, customs, morals, etc.
With assimilation to the general features of the wider general culture.

Subcultures could be based on ethnicities
Subcultures could be based on religion

What is a counter culture:
It IS a subculture but how does it differ

--- Its value, morals, beliefs are antagonistic to those of the mainstream culture.

Culture diffusion: Is when you take something from another culture and adapt it to your own because it works.
Technology
Music
Food
Fashion
Cars

Norms: Rules of acceptable behavior people in a culture adhere to.

Mores: serious violation of a norm, often illegal or gross disrespect.

Folkways: mild violation of a norm, based, more on tradition or etiquette

Taboo: violation of a norm that is serious and universally forbidden (cannibalism, incest)

Ethnocentrism:
Ethnocentric: one thinks that their culture is the best and everyone else’s is inferior.
- one thinks culture is superior, becomes very narrow minded
Cultural relativism:

Is the reverse of being ethnocentric

One judges the culture relative to its own history, circumstances and context

Xenophobia: fear of the unknown

Sanction:
Positive sanction: reward when you adhere to a norm

Negative sanction: punishment when you violate a norm

Could be mild or serious

Cultural Lag: On average it takes people forty to fifty years to catch up with any major changes in the society

Culture shock: Emotional discomfort of dealing with a different culture, could be mild to severe

Saphir whorf hypothesis: language culturally determined and leads to different interpretations of reality, hypothesis modified to language influences behaviors and interpretations of reality.

Second Essay Question: Answer all: 2 points

What is the difference between hip hops and rap
Hip Hop, is the the subculture beginning in the early 1970’s that included break dancing, graffiti, rap music, style of clothing

Rap, rhymed poetry recited in rhythm rooted in oral, African traditions of story telling.

How, when and where did rap music first originate

Kool Dj Herc( Aka: Clive Campbell)- started in 1973(bloc parties)
Started the idea of talking over music
“The breakbeat”- the percussion break of songs, using two turntables.
Big in the African American community-

He D-jayed first block party where he brought the idea of toasting (Jamaican sound system scene) to the Bronx

What were the lyrics saying from the early 1970’s to the late 1980’s

Rap groups until the late 1980s communicated pain and sense of hopelessness in American ghettos.

When did gansta rap, make its first appearance. How did the lyrics change?

Gansta rap originated on west coast in late eighties.
A sub genre depicting thug life and experienced of inner city youth.

A strong voice of social and political commentary gave way to a misogynistic lyrics glorifying that lifestyle.

By applying the labeling theory, how might the lyrical content have affected some of today’s youth?

Socialization

- Complex, lifelong, learning process,

Where people learn to behave in manner appropriate to the values, norms, rules of their social group, culture and society,
People learn how to interact with other people
People learn social skills required for participation in social life

Primary socialization:

First twelve years of a persons life, the first five being the most influencial
The child strongly internalizes the values of “significant others” as their world
They take on the values, attitudes, morals and expectations of their parent’s and make them their own
The most powerful socialization a person experiences
Parents thus have a tremendous impact on the child’s self esteem and self concept.

Secondary socialization

Takes place from adolescence on
We take on values and norms of peers, social group and culture(media, school)

Cooleys looking glass self theory

we judge ourselves according to the feedback we get from others people mirror back to us appraisals of ourselves the key word is interpretation.
The individuals interpretation may/may not be accurate
We tend to be very vulnerable when we are young

FOR QUIZ

George Herbert meads theory on the self

self as subject “I”: this is the spontaneous, creative, individualistic, unconventional, impulsive part of the self
Self as object “ME”: this is the social self, the yielding of a persons individuality of the constraints of social norms. This is the part of you that conforms, that tries to “fit” in.
Generalized other: This is a term referring to the understanding and awareness of what others expect from and you in terms of how you think and act within the group or culture.

CHAPTER 1,3,4

Classical conditioning

Conditioning by association, constantly used in advertising

Resocialization

Because of a new role, situation, environment, a person is required to replace or abandon established patterns of: behavior, attitudes, values, norms

It’s the process of breaking down old behavior patterns and replacing them with new ones.

Total institution

there is a physical barrier to outside world such as locked doors, high walls, barbed wire people tend to be stripped of their professions, given uniforms, and individuality is taken away. The person is now part of a group

Stereotype: overblown, generalized label given to a group of people based on age, gender, religion, ethnicity, race…..

Stereotypes in mass media?

Patriarchy- Male dominance at all social levels,

Mean world syndrome:
Because there is so much violence In television, as a result people become more fearful, heavy television viewers are more likely to think that their neighborhood is unsafe and to assume that violent crime is rising

Desensitization: Idea that repeated exposure to media violence cause a reduction in emotional response

Self fulfilling prophecy: You hear and it becomes true because you make it true and believe it.

SECOND SECTION

Genetics vs. Socialization

Aggression: The average male tends to be more aggressive because of their higher amounts of testosterone. (A.G.S females)
Intelligence: No differences in I.Q
Verbal Skills: Females tend to do better in verbal abilities, however research has proven this to be due to socialization.
Math skills: No genetic differences, all socialization
Visual- spatial abilities: Some genetic differences, tend to favor males, could be legacy of “Hunting and Gathering Society”
Sound intensity and body language cues: Genetic differences do exist, favoring females who are more susceptible to both.
Nurturance: No genetic differences exist, however the female is less likely to abandon the child
Empathy and compassion: No genetic differences, all socialization
Brainstorming organization: left and right hemispheres of brain connected by nerve fibers called “corpus callosum” When left or right side injured, males have more impairments. This suggests that abilities of left and right hemisphere of brain for females might be more evenly distributed.

What are some genetic differences between males and females?
Aggression
Visual impairment
Brain organization
High frequency sounds
Body language

How early does one identify themselves as female or male?

As early as 18 months. Well established by age 3 Which factor is the most influential factor in the development of gender identity? the fact that you are born male or female with the chromosomal and hormonal pattern of your gender.
What gender you have been socialized into in the early years.

TERMS:
Intersexed person: (Also called hermaphrodite)
Transexual:

Transvestite:

There are 4 major types of societies we ve lived in

Hunting and gathering society:
99% of the time weve occupied earth, we have lived in hunting and gathering society
People were nomadic
Men, hungers( 30% fo food supply)
Women gathers, 70% of food supply)

Agricultural Society

Started 10000 years ago in the middle east, people no longer nomadic, they owned land, they lived off their vegetation and livestock

Industrialized society:
Started in England in 1760 north America-1850

Informational society

Started the 1960s with introduction of computers and internet, today over 60% of jobs involve exchange of info(white collar cons)

Around 5000 years ago, the military state emerged in the middle east in response to threat of exploitation and aggression from surrounding territories

People had to militarize themselves because of the threat of invasion.

Patriarchy is complete male dominance at all social levels, family, political, economic, social

With the rise of the military state, the patriarchy order was born,
Most women at that time did not have large families, the military wanted women to have more children, especially males to populate the army.

A social stratification system slowly developed whereby men were in complete control

ESSAY QUESTIONS

A) What are some of the characteristics of an abusive person

B) Why do people stay in these relationships
C) What is meant by the cycle of violence?

Abusive: neglect, threats, constantly putting down someone, physically beating, mental, trauma.
Who abuses: low self esteem, pathologically jealous, extremely possessive, blames others for their actions, refuses to take responsibility for their actions, they have a dual personality outside home. They can be pleasant , but inside home tyrannical, if male: very polarized in gender role socialization,
Believes in male supremacy and feels he owns his wife, male believes that women are passive, submissive and subservient to men and that they should be controlled and dominated by men

Cycle of violence C

Tension productivity phase
Acute battering incident
Honey phase

b) stay in the relationship, on some levels they are responding to unrecognized neurotic needs

Who were the first to arrive: native, the first nations, inuit and native
What is their population today? : 3%
What kind of problems to they suffer from?: High suicide rate, alcoholism, abuse in families, violence, drugs,
Who were the next group to arrive: French
Where did they settle:

Definite assimilation. Give an example of a country that incorporates this.
Definite cultural pluralism. Give example of a country that incorporated this.

Cultural pluralism: Co existence of separate racial and ethnic group identities within a society. To produce what is considered to be a desirable social situation
Cultural pluralism not only assumes that minority have rights, but also considers the lifestyle of the minority “growth” to be a legitimate and desirable way of participating in society.
Thus pluralism celebrates the differences among groups of people.

What is the difference of majority and minority groups:
Everyone is minority except for those of power

Minority group: Characterized by lack of political and economic power, visible by race, gender, religion, ethnicity, tend to be victims of prejudice and discrimination by the dominant group.

The scapegoat theory:
People who are frustrated, for whatever reasons, usually economic and who are unable to strike back at the real cause of their frustrations often seek out scapegoats.

Scapegoats are people who are unfairly blames for their problems.

Minorities are often convenient targets for scapegoating. They are relatively powerless and are often negatively stereotypes by dominant groups.

A classic example is hitlers scapegoating of the jews for the ills that Germany experienced after its defeat in world war one.

The learning theory(social):
Attitudes towards minorities are learned.
Research has shown that by age four, children have acquired attitudes concerning minorities from the people around him.

If prejudiced attitudes and discriminatory behaviour are consistently reinforced by the family and surrounding culture, then racism or ethnocentrism will develop.

Especially if they never confront realities that might challenge their pre existing assumptions.

The contact hypothesis theory:
Interracial contact of people with equal status.
In cooperative circumstances
Will cause them to be less prejudice and racist towards each other and abandon previous stereotypes.

Operative words: Situation of cooperation, have equal status, pursuing common goals

Authoritarian Personality:
Have been brought up with harsh parental discipline,
Fear deeply, submissive to authority.
Tend to think in very rigid ways
Have low tolerance for anything, that deviates from the norm
Arrogance towards groups thought to be inferior

The Marxist theory:

The dominant group benefits from discrimination

The people in power want to keep their economic and political power at the expense of minority groups.

Marxists maintain that the ruling class deliberately promote prejudice and discrimination in order to divide disadvantaged people.

Poor whites were taught to see blacks, rather than the ruling class, as the enemy for their poverty and poor wages in their jobs.

Today, the targets are any minority group, and they are often targeted in the media.