CHAPTER 1 The Sociological Point of View Sociology CHAPTER 1 The Sociological Point of View Section 1: Examining Social Life Section 2: Sociology: Then and Now Chapter 1

Sociology and a Sociological Imagination Section 1: Examining Social Life Sociology and a Sociological Imagination Sociology is the social science that studies human society and social behavior. Sociologists are mainly interested in Social Interaction – how people relate to one another and influence each others behavior. Sociologists tend to focus of groups rather than on the individual.

The Sociological Perspective Sociological perspective – look beyond commonly held beliefs to the hidden meanings behind human actions. -You learn your behaviors from others A sociological imagination is the ability to see the connection between the larger world and one’s personal life

The clothes that you wear. Section: 1 Examining Social Life 1. The sociological perspective helps you see that all people are social beings. 2. It tells you that your behavior is influenced by social factors and that your learned behavior is influenced from others. The clothes that you wear. Voting for the same candidate as your parents. 3. The sociological perspective allows you to see beyond your own day to day life by viewing the world through other’s eyes.

The Development of Sociology Section 2: Sociology: Then and Now The Development of Sociology Rapid social and political changes that took place in Europe as a result of the Industrial Revolution Rapid growth of urban populations produced a multitude of social problems Over time, became more difficult to ignore the effect of society on the individual Sweeping political, social, and economic changes caused some scholars to question the traditional explanations of life and attempted to prove their beliefs using a variety of methods

Early European Scholars Auguste Comte Considered the founder of sociology Studied social order and social change Karl Marx Linked societal conditions to the economy Believed economic imbalance would lead to conflict Herbert Spencer Compared society to a biological organism Helped create social Darwinism

Early European Scholars

Early European Scholars

Early European Scholars

The Role of Theoretical Persepctives Perspective is a particular point of view. We all see what is happening around us through our own perspectives—our own point of view. Perception is the way the brain interprets an image or event. Have you ever shared a different perception of an event from a friend?

Current Perspectives Theoretical Perspectives, a school of thought, a general set of assumptions accepted as true.

Three Main Theoretical Perspectives FUNCTIONALIST PERSPECTIVE: see society as a set of interrelated parts that work together to produce a stable social system People agree on what is best for society and work together to ensure that the social system runs smoothly. People labeled as “dysfunctional” (outside of society’s norm) is the basis for social conflict.

Three Main Theoretical Perspectives CONFLICT PERSPECTIVE: focus on forces in society that promote competition and change; see social change as an inevitable feature of society Karl Marx idea – how those with power in society exercise control over those with less power. Competition over resources is basis of social conflict.

Three Main Theoretical Perspectives INTERACTIONISTS PERSPECTIVE: Focus on how individuals interact with one another. Interested in everyday situations Meanings that individuals attach to their actions and to the actions of others. Social conflict arises from differences in the meaning of symbols (gestures, physical objects, words, and events)

CHAPTER 2 Cultural Diversity Sociology 11/12/2018 CHAPTER 2 Cultural Diversity Section 1: The Meaning of Culture Section 2: Cultural Variation Chapter 2

Sociology 11/12/2018 Section 1: The Meaning of Culture Culture – consists of all the shared products of human groups which include physical objects, beliefs, values, and behaviors shared by a group Material Culture – are physical objects that people create and use such as books, buildings, clothing, and cooking Nonmaterial Culture – are abstract human creations that include beliefs, family patterns, ideas, and language Chapter 2

Society A group of independent people who have organized in such a way as to share a common culture and feeling of unity.

Basic Components of Culture Sociology 11/12/2018 Section 1: The Meaning of Culture Basic Components of Culture Technology – physical objects and rules for using them Symbols – anything that represents something else and has a shared meaning Language – the organization of written or spoken symbols into a standardized system Values – shared beliefs about what is good and bad or right or wrong Norms – shared rules of conduct Chapter 2

Values versus Norms Example: United States values a democratic government. This is reinforced through norms governing political participation, respect for the American flag, and the treatment of elected officials.

Choose one element of culture from the following list: Education, dating, funeral rites, hair styles, mealtime, medicine, games, bodily adornment, weapons, art Answer the following: 1. What material culture products are associated with your topic? 2. What examples of nonmaterial culture, including taboos and norms, are associated with your topic?

Norms- shared rules of conduct that tell people how to act in specific situations…rules defining appropriate and inappropriate behavior William Graham Sumner stated that anything can be considered appropriate when norms approve of it.

Cultural Etiquette Country : Custom: England/Scotland& Wales Appointments are essential. You may be ten minutes late but not ten minutes early! Greece Be careful not to praise a specific object too enthusiastically or the host may insist on giving it to you. Libya If you are invited to a Libyan home for dinner, only men will be present. Take a gift for the host but not for his wife. Senegal Never eat food with the left hand, as this is considered offensive Zambia Avoid direct eye contact with members of the opposite sex—it may suggest romantic overtures China A visit to a Chinese home is rare—unless the government has given prior approval Saudi Arabia It is an insult to sit in such as way as to face your host with the soles of your shoes showing.

Norms-expectations for behavior

Social Experiment – Dropped Wallet

Folkways- norms that describe socially acceptable behavior but do not have great moral value attached to them Examples- eat with mouth closed, when to clap at shows, greeting people, doing homework What happens when people break a folkway? Mores- social behavior that has GREAT moral significance. Violation of a more carries punishment Examples: Killing, Stealing, Raping, Arson

Taboo: behavior that is objectionable by society Law: written rules of conduct enacted and enforced by the government How do laws differ from mores?

Silly Laws Still on the Books State: Law: Alabama It is illegal for a driver to be blindfolded while driving. Arizona Hunting camels is prohibited Florida If an elephant is left tied to a parking meter, it still has to pay the meter fee Illinois Cannot contact the police before entering the city in a car Iowa Kisses can last for up to but no longer than 5 minutes Maine You must not step out of a plane in flight Massachusetts No gorilla is allowed in the back seat of a car Minnesota You may not cross state lines with a duck on your head Vermont Whistling underwater is illegal Washington It is illegal to pretend your parents are rich

When social norms are broken-even some seemingly unimportant ones-people can have some strong reactions. To demonstrate this, try one of the following examples of breaking down social norms…….

1. In a large waiting room where there are many empty chairs, choose a chair next to a person who is already seated.

2. Enter an elevator where others are already riding 2. Enter an elevator where others are already riding. Stand facing the back of the elevator.

3. Boys, carry a purse to a store 3. Boys, carry a purse to a store. Walk to the cashier and open the purse to take out your money and pay for your purchase. Girls, wear a prom dress to the grocery store.

4. In your own home, if the members of your family have specific places where they sit during dinner, sit in another persons place.

5. Extend your left hand to shake hands with someone.

Examining Culture Culture is constantly changing. The features of a culture can be divided into three levels: traits, complexes, and patterns. 1. Culture trait – an individual tool, act, or belief that is related to a particular situation or need. Ex: eating utensils or greeting someone

2. Cultural complexes – A culture complex is a cluster of interrelated traits. Ex: Football is a complex that involves a variety of traits. tools – football and pads acts – passing and kicking beliefs – penalties and rules violations Other beliefs – marketing, financing, salaries

3. Culture patterns – the combination of a number of culture complexes into an interrelated whole. Ex: separate complexes of baseball, football, basketball, swimming, tennis, and track combine to form American Athletics.

Esperanto: An international language introduced over a century ago by Dr. Ludwig Zamenhof for the purpose of giving all peoples a single language in which to communicate. Esperanto (means “one who hopes” in that language) has a simple, uniform structure and is spoken as a second language by the people of about 90 countries. Esperanto was meant to do away with cultural superiority in hopes to bring about world peace.

Ideal and Real Culture Ideal Culture: cultural guidelines that group members claim to accept Real Culture: actual behavior of members of a group

Sociology 11/12/2018 Section 2: Cultural Variation Cultural Universals Cultural universals – general traits common to all cultures Exist because some needs are so basic that all societies must develop certain features to ensure their fulfillment Chapter 2

Cultural Universals Researchers have identified more than 65 traits in all cultures Economy Clothing, Food, Shelter, Communications, Transportation, Business, Jobs, Services, Goods, Technology, Tools, Trade Institutions Economy, Religion, Education, Government, Family Arts Folk Tales, Crafts, Music, Theater, Dance, Literature, Art Language Words, Expressions, Pronunciations, Alphabet, Symbols Environment Communities, Geography, Geology, Habitat, Wildlife, Climates, Resources Beliefs Values, Traditions, Ethnicity, Customs, Religions, Morals Recreation Games, Toys, Arts, Media, Holidays, Festivals

Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism Sociology 11/12/2018 Section 2: Cultural Variation Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism  Ethnocentrism is the tendency to view one’s own culture and group as superior to all others.  People in all societies are at times ethnocentric.  When ethnocentrism is too extreme, cultural growth may stagnate. –  Limiting the number of immigrants into a society can cause this.  Extreme ethnocentrism can also lead to conflicts such as wars. Chapter 2

Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism Sociology 11/12/2018 Section 2: Cultural Variation Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism  Cultural relativism is the belief that cultures should be judged by their own standards rather than applying the standards of another culture. –  Researchers attempt to understand cultural practices from the point of view of the people they are studying. Participant Observation is useful. Chapter 2

Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism Sociology 11/12/2018 Section 2: Cultural Variation Ethnocentrism and Cultural Relativism  Cultural relativism helps sociologists in understanding why people in different societies have different cultural norms. –    e.g. the Sepoy Rebellion of India in 1857 (gunpowder cartridges were sealed with pig or beef fat, both are religiously offensive to Hindu and Muslims) Chapter 2

Factors That Account for Variations Among Cultures Sociology 11/12/2018 Section 2: Cultural Variation Factors That Account for Variations Among Cultures Subculture – shared values, norms and behaviors that are not shared by the entire population Chinatown, Choctaw, religious groups. Subcultural practices add to the diversity of a society. Chapter 2

Counterculture – rejection of the major values, norms, and practices of the larger society and replacing them with a new set of cultural values. Gangs, hippies, terrorists organizations

Culture Shock- a term used to describe the impact of a totally new environment on a member of a different culture… Ever lived or traveled abroad? What were some differences between that culture and your own? How did people dress? What did they eat? What, if anything was difficult to adjust to or understand?