Soc 1000 Unit 3 Summary.docx
Transcript
Soc 1000 Unit 3 Summary Psychology focuses on mental processes that shape how people think. Anthropology is primarily interested in groups and cultures. Sociology examines how individual and cultural characteristics are shaped by social factors. The sociological perspective, also known as the “socio...
Soc 1000 Unit 3 Summary Psychology focuses on mental processes that shape how people think. Anthropology is primarily interested in groups and cultures. Sociology examines how individual and cultural characteristics are shaped by social factors. The sociological perspective, also known as the “sociological imagination,” allows us to view the world in a new way. Our individual identity, or “face,” is composed of many influences (e.g., parents, peers, media, ethnicity, religion). Our “face” is also defined by cultural values (e.g., youth and beauty, consumption) and larger factors such as our global economy and political system. All these elements shape us as individuals; we are products of our society and culture. Therefore, when we evaluate ourselves, we do so in the context of our culture. Unit 3 What is Sociology? In a university class, students don’t start parties or watch movies because they follow a “social script” that dictates academic behavior, not because of their individual personalities. These social scripts are patterns of behavior that have been taught and internalized, often informed by circumstances rather than intentional teaching. Social scripts are external and predate the individual. They are shaped by interactions with others and exist for various roles and identities (e.g., student, athlete, musician, gender identities, nationalities, religions). Personal activities are more defined by these social scripts than by individual personality. Everyday actions, like maintaining hygiene, also follow social scripts, which can vary by culture. Social scripts also dictate personal space and interaction norms, as illustrated by the discomfort caused by standing too close to someone. The best explanation for classroom behavior is the internalization and application of the “correct” social script for a post-secondary classroom. This scenario reveals that behavior is more influenced by how people shape each other through social scripts than by individual psychology, highlighting our inherent conformity to social norms. It follows then that we come up with this definition for sociology: Sociology uses scientific methods to examine the social forces that govern human behavior. It’s fascinating to observe how these forces lead many people to behave similarly without conscious thought. A central concept in sociology is the “social structure,” which refers to the organized patterns of social relationships and social institutions that together compose society. This structure influences our behaviors and opportunities. Indigenous peoples are disproportionately economically marginalized due to a racialized hierarchy in Canadian society that persists generation after generation. This situation raises questions about the nature of the social structure and potential ways to change it. Another example of social structure is the disproportionate number of Canadian politicians coming from wealthier backgrounds. The scientific methods in sociology focus on understanding how social structures, like the ones described, came to be, their impact on society, and how they function. This helps to explain societal patterns and inequalities. The Central Insight of Sociology Sociology aims to bridge the gap between personal troubles and public issues, highlighting their interconnectedness. Personal troubles, like joblessness, may not be due to individual shortcomings but could be influenced by larger social or economic structures, such as high unemployment rates or biases. Evaluating issues solely at the individual level may not provide the most insightful understanding or effective solutions. Social and public issues significantly influence personal and private spheres, as seen in the evolution of marriage expectations and the rise in divorce rates. Our highly individualistic culture often leads us to interpret problems at the individual level, overlooking the influence of larger structural, social, and cultural factors. For instance, when encountering a homeless person or a high-crime neighborhood, the focus often shifts to personal defects rather than addressing the underlying social issues. Sociologists take a “big picture” approach, asking broader questions to understand the social structures and factors at play. While personal factors shouldn’t be overlooked, they should be complemented with a consideration of public and social factors for a more comprehensive understanding. This what this quote on the right tells us: Our individual lives cannot be understood in isolation. To fully understand an individual, we must consider the society and culture they grew up in, and how social and economic factors influence their lives. An individual’s experiences can vary significantly based on their cultural context. Keywords: GIVEN and INHERITED The following quote is a more direct version of the Marx quote: The “cards” we are dealt in society refer to our circumstances at birth, which we don’t get to choose. These can include our geographical location, economic status, race, local crime rates, and family health history. These factors significantly influence our life experiences and opportunities. It’s important to remember these uncontrollable factors when interacting with others, as people generally try to make the best of their circumstances. Some people’s “cards” may put them at a disadvantage in life. In sociology, there is a significant focus on these “cards”, as they represent ordered and persistent relationships that influence individuals. The Questions Sociology Asks Sociology is the empirical study of what is, focusing on getting a thorough description of what’s happening in society. Sociologists ask questions about the nature of various social phenomena, such as the impact of legalizing marijuana, the nature of the sex trade in specific locations, and the effects of rising social media addictions. In studying a social phenomenon like the sex trade in Winnipeg, sociologists examine its constituent elements (e.g., sellers, buyers, laws), categories or types (e.g., child prostitution, brothels, street work), and the actual happenings (e.g., control by pimps, trafficking of young individuals, forced participation). These investigations reveal that social phenomena are complex and influenced by various factors, often leading to systemic issues. The goal of sociology is not just to describe these phenomena but also to use this understanding to prescribe potential solutions. Overall, in the context of sociological analysis: Elements refer to the basic components that make up a social phenomenon. These are the individual parts or aspects that, when combined, form the whole. For example, in the case of the sex trade, elements could include the people involved (sellers and buyers), the money exchanged, and the laws that regulate the activity. Categories or types, on the other hand, refer to the subgroups or classifications within a social phenomenon. These are ways of dividing the phenomenon into smaller, more specific groups based on certain characteristics. For example, in the sex trade, categories could include different forms of sex work (like street work or brothel work), or different groups of people involved (like adults or minors). Sociologists examine the process of social phenomena, such as how people involved in the sex trade find each other and how transactions occur. They explore the conditions under which these phenomena occur, including the living conditions of those involved, the locations of transactions, and the factors that drive individuals into these situations. They also investigate the causes and consequences of these phenomena, identifying who benefits and who suffers, and what these outcomes look like. These types of questions, which focus on process, conditions, causes, and consequences, can be applied to almost any social phenomenon to gain a deeper understanding of its nature and impact. We also ask different types of questions: Factual questions require good research methodologies Sociologists aim to ask robust questions about social phenomena, such as crime rates in Winnipeg. These are factual questions seeking data about where crime is happening, who is committing the crimes, and so on. Once the facts are gathered, theories can be developed to explain why certain individuals are committing crimes and why others tend to be victims. Factual questions can be complex. For instance, determining crime rates could involve considering reporting rates, prosecution rates, or conviction rates. Each measure might provide a different perspective on the crime rate. We must also consider their accuracy and validity. It’s important to navigate these layered questions carefully to avoid overgeneralizing results and to ensure the findings accurately reflect the question being asked. Comparative questions are a crucial category in sociology. They involve comparing one unit (like a country or province) to others to gain a more meaningful understanding of it. As Max Mueller said, “she or he who knows one knows none.” This means that understanding a single entity in isolation is limited. For example, knowing the smoking rates in Canada doesn’t tell us if they’re high or low until we compare them to other countries. Similarly, to understand if cannabis smoking rates in Manitoba are high or low, we need to compare them to other provinces. The more units you compare, the more instructive the analysis. For instance, knowing whether Manitoba has the highest or lowest smoking rates among all provinces provides a more comprehensive understanding. Therefore, comparative questions are vital for providing context and deeper insights into social phenomena. Developmental questions in sociology involve comparing the past with the present to understand how social phenomena have evolved over time. These questions can be applied to issues like crime rates, examining why certain types of crimes have increased or decreased over time. Developmental questions also look at how social issues have evolved, such as the shift from in-person bullying to online bullying. These questions help to track the development of social phenomena and can lead to theoretical questions about the causes and implications of these changes. After gathering facts, comparing data, and asking developmental questions, you may start to form theoretical questions to explain the observed phenomena. Theoretical questions are developed to seek explanations for the information gathered. They are based on theories that are formed from the data. For instance, if you observe that crime rates are high in areas where people are economically marginalized, you might ask a theoretical question like, “What theory can explain this correlation?” This leads to the development of sociological theories to explain these observations. The Challenges of Social Sciences Inter subjectivity is a key challenge in sociology. It refers to the mutual understanding and agreement among researchers. Despite striving for objectivity, researchers are humans studying other humans, which introduces a level of subjectivity. Researchers aim for as much objectivity as possible through self-awareness, robust methods, and cross-referencing work with peers to minimize bias. The concept of inter-subjectivity involves researchers keeping each other and themselves accountable. The overlap between the “orange bubble” (body of knowledge) and the “blue bubble” (the researcher) represents the interplay of subjectivity and objectivity in research. The most insightful findings often occur when researchers acknowledge their subjectivity, strive for objectivity, and remain vigilant about potential biases. Researchers should avoid asking questions that reveal their biases, as this can compromise objectivity. For example, a question about reducing child benefits in Canada should be framed neutrally, such as “What do you think is an appropriate level of support for child benefits for families in Canada?” The categories provided for responses could still introduce subjectivity, so researchers need to be constantly vigilant and self-aware. The goal is to achieve a healthy sense of inter subjectivity, where researchers keep each other and themselves accountable, ensuring their studies are as unbiased and objective as possible. Why Sociology Matters Studying sociology significantly changes your understanding of social situations by providing new perspectives and tools for analysis. This new way of seeing things can lead to fresh insights and discoveries. An introductory sociology class is often a requirement in many degree programs because understanding human situations and social interactions is extremely useful in various fields such as nursing, law, government, social work, teaching, and urban planning. The tools and skills learned in sociology can provide advantages in the workplace, helping you navigate and understand social dynamics more effectively. It’s important for students to understand and appreciate cultural differences. Instead of viewing different practices as strange, developing a generous curiosity can lead to a deeper understanding. Sociologists aim to ask good questions, which can help dispel prejudices and foster genuine curiosity. Rather than maintaining distance from what is different, embracing learning can lead to enjoyment and growth. We are all culturally bound, meaning our behaviors and practices may seem strange to others just as theirs might seem strange to us. Our humanity and individuality are deeply rooted in our cultures. Recognizing this can lead to an appreciation of cultural diversity, which is a beautiful aspect of our global society. Studying sociology can help you assess social policies, such as housing policies that require landlords to upgrade living conditions in their properties. While these policies may initially seem beneficial, they can lead to unintended consequences. For example, landlords might increase rent to cover the costs of upgrades, which could make housing unaffordable for some tenants. This could potentially contribute to homelessness if tenants can’t afford the increased rent and must find other places to live. Therefore, even well-intentioned initiatives can have negative effects if all potential impacts aren’t thoroughly considered. The goal of studying sociology is to gain analytical tools to think critically about these issues, even at an entry level. Studying sociology significantly enhances self-understanding. It involves examining how we become humans within the context of the people around us and how much they shape who we are. This process can lead to surprising realizations about the extent of external influences on our identities. Understanding what has shaped us provides greater self-awareness, which can guide us if we want to change or improve aspects of our lives. This self-knowledge can be liberating and empowering, particularly for students entering the field of sociology. It offers a new perspective on personal growth and self-improvement. There are varying opinions on the role of sociologists in society. Some believe that sociologists should remain dispassionate observers who produce and share their findings without personal involvement. Others argue that sociologists should use their knowledge and research to advocate for justice and societal improvement. Many sociologists lean towards the latter approach, using their work to drive positive change. However, this is not a universal view, and the decision ultimately depends on individual′s perspective and values.
