Sociology

Notable Sociologists  Auguste Comte He is seen as the father of Sociology He coined the term Sociology in reference to the new science of society

Terms  Sociology Behavioral science that studies human society and social behavior.  Society Group of mutually interdependent people who have organized in such a way as to share a common culture and feeling of unity  Social interaction How people relate to one another and influence each other’s behavior

Terms  Culture The beliefs, values, behavior, and material objects that constitute a peoples' way of life  Socialization Lifelong social experience by which individuals develop their human potential and learn patterns of their culture  Personality A person’s fairly consistent patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving Socialization has a strong influence on one’s personality

Five Components of Culture 1. Physical objects – Artifacts Material culture  Automobiles, clothing, books, buildings, cooking utensils and computers Non-material culture  Language, ideas, beliefs, rules, skills, family patterns, work practices, and political and economic systems

Five Components of Culture 2. Symbols Anything that stands for something else.

Five Components of Culture 3. Language The organization of written and spoken symbols into a standardized system The way a society expresses ideas and communicate with each other Includes non-verbal symbols 4. Values Shared beliefs about what is good or bad, right or wrong, desirable or undesirable

Five Components of Culture 5. Norms Shared rules of conduct that tell people how to act in specific situations  Folkways – norms that do not have great moral significance attached to them Informal ways of doing things Folkways do not endanger the society  Mores – norms that have great moral significance attached to them Violation of mores endangers the society Laws – written rules of conduct

Factors that Affect Personality  Is personality learned or are you born with it?  There are three main factors that affect the development of our personality Nature vs. Nurture Birth order Parental characteristics – education, religion, economic status, cultural heritage occupation The cultural environment – U.S. competitiveness, assertive, individualism, male vs. female, etc.

Agents of Socialization  Family Most important socializing agent, especially up to age 5 or 6 Family based socialization is not all intentional. (environment is important) Research shows attention is very important  Examples: physical contact, verbal, nonverbal  School Major socializing agent for ages 6-13 Hidden curriculum – activities that teach students key cultural values  Example: achievement, success, moral values

Agents of Socialization  Peers Major socializing agent for ages This is a time of breaking away from direct adult supervision.  Peers develop social relationships on their own  Develop a sense of identity apart from their families During this time:  Peers may guide short-term goals such as dress and music  Parents still maintain greater influence over long- term goals such as educational aspirations

Agents of Socialization  Mass Media Impersonal communications directed at large audiences.  Examples: TV – average household has a television on for 7 hours a day. Music Books – content analysis Magazines Radio – DJs, talk show hosts