Introduction to Sociology Alie’s Class Unit 1

Objective Explain from a sociological perspective how diverse factors influence and shape individual and group behaviour Social norms and expectations (how do these things affect socio-economic status?) Social structures Social distinctions Socio-economic status Geographic location Physical environment Media coverage How social agents shape us, and how we shape social agents…

Media Monster High… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4EuP4XGtdE

What is Sociology? Study of the interactions among people living together in a society and their actions, beliefs, and behaviours in order to understand society Compare and contrast human interactions and behaviours between different societies

Pioneers of Sociology Emile Durkheim Karl Marx Max Weber Dorothy Smith

Get out your notebooks and write down the following Definition Get out your notebooks and write down the following Social psychologist: The scientific study of how people’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviours are influenced by the presence of others Sociologist: The study of human social behaviour, especially the study of the origins, organizations, institutions, and developments of human society Example? Karl Marx, Max Weber, Dorothy Smith

Definitions Socialization: The lifelong process of inheriting and disseminating norms, customs, and ideologies that provides people with the skills and habits necessary for participating within his or her own society. The process that may lead to desirable, or ‘moral’, outcomes (in the opinions of society) Agents of Socialization: The many things that affect an individuals socialization process

Agents of Socialization

Primary and Secondary Social Agents Members in one’s immediate, nuclear family The most important of primary agent of socialization is usually the parent/parents or older siblings For a child, this is the most important because it sets a foundation for future socialization – Meghan’s article Examples: Family Peers Teachers

Primary and Secondary Social Agents Process of learning what is appropriate behaviour as a member of a smaller group within a larger society. It is behavioural patterns reinforced by socialization agents of society. Takes place outside of home – children must act within new rules. Examples: Religion Government Mass media (TV, radio, internet)…. Do you agree?

Socialization: Erik Erikson Explained the challenges throughout the life course. Stage 1: infancy, where babies learn trust and mistrust. What agents would affect an infant? Stage 2: toddlerhood where children struggle with the challenge of autonomy versus doubt. What agents would affect a 2 year old? Stage 3: preschool, children struggle to understand the difference between initiative and guilt. What agents would affect children?

Erik Erikson Stage 4: pre-adolescence, children learn about working hard and inferiority. What agent would affect a 10 year old? Stage 5: called adolescence, teenagers experience the challenge of gaining identity versus confusion. What agent would affect a teen? YOU? Stage 6: young adulthood, is when young people gain insight to life when dealing with the challenge of intimacy and isolation. What agent would affect a young adult? Ms. Cuzner… Stage 7: middle adulthood, people experience the challenge of trying to make a difference (versus self-absorption). What agent would affect mid adult person? Stage 8: the final stage, or old age, people are still learning about the challenge of integrity and despair.

Definitions continued Norms: A group-held belief about how members should behave in a given context Example? Social Structures: Patterned social arrangements in society that are both emergent from a determinant of the actions of the individual

Definition Social Distinctions: Distinctions denotes a social force that assigns different values upon different people within a given society Example? Socio- economic Status: Economic and social factors combined to total measure of a persons status in relation to others

The Sociological Perspective Recall: Perspective is a way of looking at (or interpreting) something Sociologists look at the social world (or society) and, in particular, the nature of the relationships within it

Activity Complete the handout, “Agents of Socialization” Fill in as much detail as you can Think critically! We will discuss this at the end of class.

Take up What agents mostly shape you? What are some agents that you shape? What are some institutions that have been shaped by us? I.e. Justice system? Schools?