SOCIOLOGY 30

Introduction, Culture and Rules

Nature of Sociology

Sociology is: The study of social structure The sociological perspective focuses on groups, not the individual Peoples behavior within a group setting cannot be predicted from their personal characteristics; this was pointed out by Emile Durkheim

Three Perspectives

The three main theoretical perspectives of sociology are: Functionalism

Conflict

theory interactionism

Symbolic

Functionalism

Functionalism Emphasizes the contributions of each part of a society Different individuals and different parts each have a role to play in society

Assumes that societies tend to return to a state of stability after upheaval has occurred
Generally has a positive view of society

Conflict Perspective

The Conflict Perspective Emphasizes competition and change

Is considered to be the opposite of functionalism Focuses on how different groups compete for power

Symbolic Interactionism

Symbolic Interactionism
Emphasizes the importance of shared symbols Says we learn the meaning symbols from the way we see others reacting to them, and we base our behavior on these symbols

Societal symbols include physical objects, but also sounds, smells and tastes. Examples of societal symbols include national flags and emblems, languages, types of greetings (such as handshakes), religious symbols, and corporate logos.

Culture

Culture refers to knowledge, language, values, customs and physical objects that are passed from generation to generation among members of a group. Human behavior is based on culturethis shows how human behavior is more often based on group expectations than on individual instinct.

Cultural Diversity

A subculture is part of the dominant culture but differs from it in some important respects (exampleChinatown).

A counterculture is a subculture that is deliberately opposed to the dominant culture (examplesupremacist groups).

Sociobiology

Sociobiology is:
The

study of the biological basis of human behavior. on a combination of Darwins theory of natural selection and modern genetics

Based

Sociobiology

Sociobiologists assume that the behaviors that best help people are biologically based and transmitted in the genetic code.

Behaviors that contribute to the survival of the human species survive to the next generation. Such behaviors include good parenting, education, reproduction and friendship.

Cultural Rules--Norms

Norms are rules that define appropriate and inappropriate behavior. Norms is a large category; it includes rules that have legal consequences and rules that dont.

Cultural Rules--Folkways

Folkways are: Rules that cover customary ways of thinking, feeling and behaving, but are not moral in nature. Not about legalities, but are about general societal expectationsexamples include:

How to be courteous How to dress appropriately

Cultural RulesMores and Taboos

Mores: Are norms with moral significance Draw great approval when followed, and strong disapproval when ignored An example of a more is: Citizens are expected to stand during the national anthem A taboo is the strongest example of a more; its violation demands punishment (for example, incest).

Cultural Rules--Laws

Laws are: Norms that are formally defined and enforced by officials Consciously created (as opposed to mores and folkways, which are unconsciously created)

Cultural Rules--Enforcement
Sanctions: Are rewards and punishments used to encourage conformity to norms

Sanctions that are applied only by officially designated people (such as a judge) are called Formal Sanctionsthese include laws.
Sanctions that can be applied by most members of a group are called Informal Sanctions (for example, telling someone not to speak on the phone during a movie).