Introduction to Sociology Mr. Lauta Shenandoah Valley

WHAT IS SOCIOLOGY? Sociology is the study of human behavior and how humans interact in groups How do people act in groups? –Athletes: Male/Female? With teammates? –Teachers: Younger/Older? With students? –Rich/Poor? –“Trouble-makers” in school?

Do people act differently in groups? Yes, in some cases they do! People’s behavior within a group setting cannot be predicted from their personal characteristics.

NORMS AND ACCEPTABLE BEHAVIORS Every society has expectations about how its members should and should not behave. A norm is a guideline or an expectation for behavior. Each society makes up its own rules for behavior and decides when those rules have been violated and what to do about it. Norms change constantly.

HOW NORMS DIFFER Norms differ widely among societies, and they can even differ from group to group within the same society.

HOW NORMS DIFFER 1) Different settings: Wherever we go, expectations are placed on our behavior. Even within the same society, these norms change from setting to setting. Example: The way we are expected to behave in church differs from the way we are expected to behave at a party, which also differs from the way we should behave in a classroom.

HOW NORMS DIFFER Different countries: Norms are place-specific, and what is considered appropriate in one country may be considered highly inappropriate in another. Example: In some African countries, it’s acceptable for people in movie theaters to yell frequently and make loud comments about the film. In the United States, people are expected to sit quietly during a movie, and shouting would be unacceptable. (Burping after a meal; clean plate in China; clean plate in Japan)

HOW NORMS DIFFER Different time periods: Appropriate and inappropriate behavior often changes dramatically from one generation to the next. Norms can and do shift over time. Example: In the United States in the 1950s, a woman almost never asked a man out on a date, nor did she pay for the date. While some traditional norms for dating prevail, most women today feel comfortable asking men out on dates and paying for some or even all of the expenses.

NORM CATEGORIES 1) folkways –a norm for everyday behavior that people follow for the sake of convenience or tradition. –People practice folkways simply because they have done things that way for a long time. –Violating a folkway does not usually have serious consequences. –Example: Holding the door open for a person right behind you is a folkway.

NORM CATEGORIES 2) mores –A more (pronounced MORE-ay) is a norm based on morality, or definitions of right and wrong. –Since mores have moral significance, people feel strongly about them, and violating a more usually results in disapproval. –Example: Parents who believe in the more that only married people should live together will disapprove of their son living with his girlfriend. They may consider their son’s action a violation of the moral guidelines for behavior.

NORM CATEGORIES 3) laws –A law is a norm that is written down and enforced by an official agency. –Violating a law results in a specific punishment. –Example: It is illegal in most countries to drive a car while drunk, and a person violating this law may get cited for driving under the influence (DUI), which may bring a fine, loss of driver’s license, or even jail time.

NORM CATEGORIES 4) taboos –A taboo is a norm that society holds so strongly that violating it results in extreme disgust. –The violator is often considered unfit to live in that society. –Example: In most countries, cannibalism and incest are considered taboo. In some Muslim cultures, eating pork is taboo because the pig is considered unclean.

SOCIOLOGY Examines how humans interact with each other and how human behavior is shaped by: –1) Social Structures Groups, communities, organizations –2) Social Categories Age, gender, class, race… –3) Social Institutions Politics, religion, education… A person’s attitudes, actions, and opportunities are shaped by all these aspects of society

Sociological Perspective is Fourfold 1) Individuals belong to groups 2) Groups influence behavior 3) Groups take on characteristics that are independent of their members –The whole is greater than the sum of its parts 4) Sociologists focus on behavior patterns of groups –Differences based on gender, race, age, class, etc.

Current Sociological Approaches 1) Macro-sociology –The study of society as a whole –Analysis of social systems and populations on a large scale –Does concern individuals, families, and other aspects of society in relation to the larger social system to which they belong

Current Sociological Approaches 2) Micro-sociology –The study of small group behavior –Focuses on the nature of everyday human social interactions on a small scale –Social status and social roles are the most important components of social structure

Areas of Sociology Small list follows: –1) Family Examines such things as marriage, divorce, child rearing, and domestic abuse How these aspects are defined in different cultures and times and how they affect individuals and institutions

Areas of Sociology Small list follows: –2) Deviance and Crime Also called criminology Examine cultural norms, how they change over time, how they are enforced, and what happens to individuals and societies when norms are broken Deviance and social norms vary among societies, communities, and times Sociologists are interested in why these differences exist and how these differences impact the individuals and groups in those areas

Interesting Statistics……. 5% of our students take up 95% of teachers’, assistant- principals’, or disciplinarians’ time.

When compared to adult offenders, the statistics are also significant… 73% of adults who serve time in prison will get out, commit another crime, and return to prison.

Areas of Sociology –3) Demography Refers to a population’s composition Includes birth rate, death rate, infant mortality rate, and migration How and why these demographics vary between societies, groups and communities –4) Social Inequality Examines the unequal distribution of power, privilege, and prestige in society Differences and inequalities in social class, race, and gender

Areas of Sociology –5) Health and Illness Focus on the social effects of, and societal attitudes towards, illnesses, diseases, disabilities, and the aging process –6) Work and Industry Concerns the implications of technological change, globalization, labor markets, work organization, managerial practices, and employment relations Interest in workforce trends and how they relate to the changing patterns of inequality in modern societies as well as how they affect the experiences of individuals and families

Average Salary Average Per Paycheck $41,907$1, $44,710$1, $47,515$1, $57,760$2, $87,609$3, $169,300$7, $291,000$12,125

Average Salary Average Per Game Highest Paid $770,00$48, games $884,375 per game $2,000,00$24, games per game $3,240,00$20, games per game per game

Areas of Sociology -7) Race and Ethnicity -Examines the social, political, and economic relations between races and ethnicities at all levels of society -Common topics include: racism, residential segregation, and differences in social processes between racial and ethnic groups

Areas of Sociology -8) Military -The military as a social group rather than an organization -Examines issues related to coerced collective action, survival in vocation and combat, civilian- military relations, and interactions between groups or government agencies

Areas of Sociology -9) Religion -Concerns the practice, history, development, and roles of religion in society -10) Education -How educational institutions determine social structures and experiences -How teacher attitudes, peer influence, school climate, school resources, etc. affect learning -11) the Internet -Analysis of online communities (newsgroups, social networking sites, etc) and virtual worlds -The social implications of the Internet and how virtual communities and worlds are transforming real communities and societies across the globe

An Invitation to Sociology, Part 1, Intro to Sociology and Who’s Who in Sociology, Sociology Unit 1, Mrs. Furbush