Introduction to Sociology Concepts

What is Sociology?

• The study of human behaviour in society (Anderson and Taylor 2004)
• The study of human behaviour as shaped by collective life (Hues, Markson and Stein 1993)
• The study of human social life, groups, and societies (Giddens 1986)
• The scientific analysis of the origin and development of human societies (Mustapha 2018)
• Keywords: Study; human behaviour; human social life; societies

Sociology

• Socialization – the processes through which individuals learn to be members of groups and wider society, learning norms, values, beliefs, and traditions.
  • Two types of socialization:
    • Primary socialization
    • Secondary socialization
• Social stratification – a form of social inequality; distinct social groups ranked above one another by factors like wealth and prestige.
• Social Structure – how society is organized; positioning of roles, institutions, groups, and cultures in relation to each other.
• Positivism – use of scientific methods in the study of human behaviour.
• Interpretivism - social life is explained in terms of meanings individuals use to make sense of their experiences (subjective reality).
• Methodology – general approach in research; determines research methods (quantitative or qualitative).

Feminist Perspective

• Focused on interrogating subordination and oppression of women in societies.
• Tries to make gender biases visible in societies and institutions, roles, and functions of individuals.
• Gender has an important role in analysis of the social world, different perspectives of men and women, various experiences in the world.
• Understands the world through different conceptualizations and understanding of men and women's differing perspectives.
• Critically examines gender roles in society.
• Combines macro and micro perspectives.
• Waves of feminism:
  • First wave – late 19th to early 20th century (focused on right to vote).
  • Second wave - 1960s (focused on inequality and discrimination faced by women in various areas).
  • Third wave - 1990s onwards (focused on language and definitions, social construction of gender, roles and intersectionality).
  • Fourth wave - 2012 to present (social media interactions, online activism, intersectionality).

Defines of Family

• Those who share a place of residence, or who are related through blood ties or legal contracts.
• A group of persons directly linked by kin connections (adult members are responsible for caring for children).
• A social group characterized by common residence, economic co-operation and reproduction.
• Family includes adults of both sexes in a socially approved sexual relationship, and presence of one or more children (biological or adopted).
• Families are organized units based on biological relationships, marriage or kinship (norms and values vary).
• Families are a core institution in society with overall functions and roles within the society.
• Kinship – ties between individuals established through marriage or lines of descent (siblings, parents, children).

Functionalist Perspective on Family

• Families have important roles and functions necessary for societal consensus.
• Functions like maintenance of order and stability; providing companionship and sexual gratification.
• Primary socialization – teaching children societal norms, values, and required qualities; units of production, and economic co-operation.
• Reproduction and procreation.

Conflict Perspective of Family

• Families are exploitation units for the needs of the capitalist class.
• Family system reinforces inequalities in society.
• Families play a role in supporting the capitalist system (providing labour, unpaid labour and consumption of goods).

Interactionist Perspective of Family

• Deals more with interactions and communications within the family.
• Interactions reinforce societal norms, gender roles, and power dynamics.
• Implication for authority and power within the household.

Marxist or Social-Conflict Perspectives

• Capitalist society is structured with two classes (bourgeoisie/proletariat).
• Opposing groups in conflict due to competing economic interests.
• Inequality and control of capital in society.
• Relationship to means of production (exploitation of one group by another).

Interactionist Perspective

• Micro-perspective: looking at society from an individual viewpoint.
• Emerged from interpretivism (Max Weber).
• Interpretations can be multiple, subjective, and contextual.
• No single truth/reality; social actions are meaningful due to social interactions between individuals.
• Action determined by meaning and interactions.
• Meaning – collective understanding of an object, concept, or term.
• Communication – exchange of meanings through verbal and non-verbal cues.

Education

• Social institution that transmits knowledge, skills, and values (Macionis 2003).
• Enables and promotes the acquisition of skills, knowledge, and personal horizons (Giddens 2009).
  • Two types:
    • Informal education
    • Formal education
• Functionalist Perspective: universal education serves the needs of society by conveying basic knowledge, skills to the next generation, & social control.
• Conflict Perspective: education maintains social inequality and preserves dominance by training the lower class for obedient labor roles.
• Symbolic Interactionist Perspective: focus on teacher-student interactions, expectations, perceptions, attitudes and classroom performance. Explores how labelling impacts students' experiences.

Religion

• A cultural system of commonly shared beliefs and rituals that provides a sense of ultimate meaning and purpose (Giddens 2009); a system of values, beliefs, practices and philosophical values shared by a group that defines the sacred and offers explanations and salvation (Tischler 2002).
• Durkheim: Religion divides the sacred and profane.
• Yinger's definition - a system of beliefs and practices used by a group to struggle with ultimate life problems.
• Features:
  • Rituals: formalized/repeated social behaviors communicating sacred meanings/symbolic meanings.
  • Prayer: private ritualistic acts connecting with/communicating meaning with spiritual/supernatural forces.
• Types:
  • Supernaturalism
  • Animism
  • Theism

Religion and Securlarization

• The process where religious thinking/practice/institutions lose social significance.
• Increased as society became more rationalized and industrialized.

Religion in the Caribbean

• Closely tied to the history of the region and migration.
• Resulting in varied established religions (Christianity, Islam, etc).
• Once a tool of power/control over non-white masses.
• Incorporates assimilation, education and creating syncretic forms of religion/cultural adaptations.
• Religious movements like Rastafarianism emerged.

Explore key concepts in sociology such as socialization, social stratification, and social structure. This quiz delves into the definitions and implications of these essential sociological terms. Enhance your understanding of how societies shape human behavior and relationships.