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Sociology

Sociology. What is sociology?. Focuses on the development and structure of human society, and how it works. Sociology is the study of social life, social change, and the social causes and consequences of human behavior. . School of Thought:. Structural Functionalism.

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Sociology

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  1. Sociology

  2. What is sociology? • Focuses on the development and structure of human society, and how it works. • Sociology is the study of social life, social change, and the social causes and consequences of human behavior.

  3. School of Thought: Structural Functionalism • Groups of humans have essential needs that must be met. • Requirements for proper functioning: • Satisfy material needs. • Socializes/educates. • Regulates human reproduction. • Co-ordinates society’s needs.

  4. School of Thought: Neo-Marxism • Based on the ideals of Karl Marx. • Looks at how economic power, leading to political power, is a way to understand societies. • Social change = changes in economies. • There’s always a division in class– lower class will feel alienated until new economic system is created.

  5. School of Thought: Symbolic Interactionism • Humans have complex brains with little instinctive behaviour. • Individuals interpret what they see into a new meaning. • Individuals have different perspectives.

  6. School of Thought: Feminist Theory • Looks at sex/gender issues. • There are different feminists: • Liberal: Societies should be welcoming towards women. • Marxian: Woman’s workforce has made men receive lower wages. • Radical: Men are exploiting women due to their child-bearing role => systematic oppression of women. • Socialist: Separates issue of oppression that are directly related to capitalism and patriarchy.

  7. Concepts of Sociology: Roles, Values & Hierarchy Roles: • We all play certain roles in our society. Social Scientists refer to this as status. • Status is the term used to describe our position within an institution Values: • A system found within a society that are assigned to each role, and are expected to be internalized. Hierarchy : • Hierarchy is the ranking system used in any particular environment based on authority or power. • In order to distinguish between these roles, people are expected to dress and act in a certain way. • Each position or role requires a certain type of expertise which is valued by society.

  8. Key Concepts: Rules: • Developed based on a society’s values. Norms: • A set of rules believed to dictate “standard behaviour.” Deviance: • any behaviour that defies norms and is not accepted by society. Rehabilitation: • Trying to re-educate and re-socialize those who are defiant so that they can accept society’s values and norms. • Occurs within the criminal justice system. Social Paradigm Shift: • A new set of ideals strong enough to alter how some perceive reality. • Can only take place under unique circumstance.

  9. Types of sociology: Microsociology Macrosociology Analysis of social systems & population on a large scale Focuses on society as a whole and aims to establish general characteristics of society. • Focus on the individuals that make up society. • Change in an individual’s life depends on social and environmental stimuli.

  10. Cognitive Dissonance vs. Cognitive Consistency • Cognitive consistency is the tendency to seek out stimuli that are consistent with your attitudes, thoughts and behaviour. • Cognitive dissonance is the feeling of discomfort or unease of the predominant group action or attitude. • When experiencing this, an individual must change their behaviour to be consistent with their attitude or vice versa. • The desire to return to cognitive consistency is what causes us to solve a conflict.

  11. Sociology on Change: Factors influencing change: • Physical changes • Population changes • Proximity • Technology changes Theories of Change: Evolutional • Simple to complex beginnings Cyclical • Operates like the seasons and reaches a pinnacle to give way to the next season, eventually it returns to its original state. • P. Sorokin - cultural mentality (idealitional, sensate, idealistic) Challenge and Response • Can change how society works, societies face challenges imposed by environmental and other external forces. When they respond it equals success.

  12. Theories of Change: Functional • Maintains stability and social order and society is affected by institutions. Marx conflict theory of change • societies = constant change • change--> disorganization and conflict --> constant conflict • conflict comes between classes in society • there is always a "command" and an "obey" class • may be drawn on a cultural, socioeconomic or racial change

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