Introduction to Sociology

1. Introduction to Sociology Kathy Edwards Lecture Two

2. Symbols • Objects which represent more than themselves. • Symbols are ideas transformed into objects, with meaning. • The power of a symbol is the shared meaning.

3. Symbols • Objects, rituals, gestures, language • The cross, the peace symbol, the flag, the engagement ring

4. Language • Language is the most common symbol of humans. • Language is how we express our culture. • Language is created from our group life. • Language represents our reality.

5. Language • Language is how we label and describe the world. • Share understanding an affirm our existence, consciousness, and expression. • Language changes relations and creates new relations.

6. Definitions/Terms • Culture shock: experience of contact with a culture that is opposite from one’s own culture. The unfamiliarity creates anxiety or disbelief. • Cultural relativism: understanding that each culture on it’s own terms. Not judging another culture, but seeking to understand.

7. Definitions/Terms • Subculture: small culture within the dominant culture. A microcosm of the larger society, may distinguish itself, but maintains the values of dominant culture. • Examples are: 4-H, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, pool hustlers, skateboarders, boaters

8. Definitions/Terms • Counterculture: a particular type of subculture whose values of the group are in opposition to society and it’s values. Countercultures are conflicting with the dominant culture: Satanists, gangs: usually a homogeneous group

9. Definitions/Terms • Ethnocentric: when you use your culture to judge other individuals or societies, when you see your society as superior to other societies and cultures. • Xenocentricism: When you view other cultures superior to your own culture

10. Our culture • Often we are programmed by our culture and conditioned…..

11. Sociologists look at the similarities and differences between people and cultures… • We examine both material and non material cultural artifacts of the culture. • We study the historical data, as well as the people.

12. Education, Income, Race, Ethnicity, Age, Common Interests, Occupation • We develop social categories in order to study populations.

13. Attitudes are also part of our culture: emotions, feelings, evaluations. • Attitudes are part of non-material culture.