...1 Sociology - Presentation Transcript 1. 1.The Sociological perspective What is Sociology? Sociology is the scientific study of human society & social behavior. 2. What is Sociology? * It focuses primarily on the influence of social relationships upon people’s attitudes and behavior and on how societies are established and change. * The ultimate aim of sociology as summed up by Samuel Koenig is “ to improve man’s adjustment to life by developing objective knowledge concerning social phenomena which can be used to deal effectively with social problems.” 3. The Sociological Perspective * 1. The sociological perspective is important because it provides a different way of looking at familiar worlds. It allows us to gain a new vision of social life. * 2. This perspective stresses the broader social context of behavior by looking at individuals’ social location, employment, income, education, gender, age, and race –and by considering external influences –people’s experiences –which are internalized and become part of a person’s thinking and motivations. (cont…) 4. * We are able to see the links between what people do and the social settings that shape their behavior. * 3. The sociological perspective enables us to analyze and understand both the forces that contribute to the emergence and growth of the global village and our unique experiences in our own smaller corners of this village. 5. Subject Matter of...
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...‘Assess’ Essay Planning Sheet Name: Essay Title: Assess the view that, in today’s society, the family is losing its functions (24 marks) | Underline or highlight the key concepts, terms and instructions, by identifying these key elements it will allow you to focus on answering the question. It is important to use relevant sociological terminology within the context of you essay. List the key sociological terms that will be appropriate for this essay. Industrial family, pre-industrial family, unit of production, unit of consumption, nuclear family, lone parent family, social policies, state intervention, symmetrical family, privatised, joint and segregated conjugal roles, commercialisation of housework | IntroductionSignpost to the question and clearly explain the key concepts /terms of the question | Functionalists such as Murdock and Parsons say that the family is losing its functions; they, and other functionalists, see the family as a particularly important, basic building block within society. Murdock argues that the family only performs four essential functions to meet the needs of society, whereas Parsons states that the functions that a family performs depends upon the kind of society in which it is found. | Paragraph 1PointThe point must be appropriate in answering the question. | The traditional pre-industrial family is seen to be the extended family, where there are three generations of the family...
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...CHAPTER 1 ANSWERS FOR THE MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS 1. b The sociological perspective is an approach to understanding human behavior by placing it within its broader social context. (4) 2 . d Sociologists consider occupation, income, education, gender, age, and race as dimensions of social location.(4) 3. d All three statements reflect ways in which the social sciences are like the natural sciences. Both attempt to study and understand their subjects objectively; both attempt to undercover the relationships that create order in their respective worlds through controlled observation; and both are divided into many specialized fields. (5-7) 4. c Generalization is one of the goals of scientific inquiry. It involves going beyond individual cases by making statements that apply to broader groups or situations. (7) 5. b The Industrial Revolution, imperialism, and the development of the scientific method all contributed to the development of sociology. The fourth influence was the political revolutions in America and France — there was no political revolution in Britain at that time. (8-9) 6. d Positivism is the application of the scientific approach to the social world. (9) 7. d Of the four statements, the one that best reflects Herbert Spencer’s views on charity is “The poor are the weakest members of society and if society intervenes to help them, it is interrupting the natural process of social evolution.” While many contemporaries of Spencer’s were appalled by...
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...Read the attached document on ethical concerns of research and using the American Sociological Association code of ethics (formal guide for conducting research) identify and explain key parts of ethical research. The primary goal is the welfare and protection of the individuals and groups with whom sociologist work. You must have a personal commitment to a lifelong effort to act ethnical. Sociologist must strive to keep the highest level of competence in their work then they should be in their work. They should also be able to understand their limitations of their expertise. That they should also only take on tasks that they are qualified...
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...(3)Discuss as to what a social problem is and the different approaches to studying social problems? Social problem means that problems which occurred in society. It may affect or damage the society. When individual or a group of people violate the norms and values found in society it becomes a social problem. Also we can find out it as a condition that at least some people in a community view as being undesirable. In early days sociologist thought behaviors of the bad people create the social problems. They thought lack of education, incomplete socialization, and mental disorders made people bad. They identify mainly murder and suicide as social problem. There are 2 sociological definitions for social problems; - A social problem is created by here being a gap between the objectives of society and the actual condition prevailing in that society - A social problem is a situation in society that a majority of people living in that society consider to be a problem Different societies have different social problems. Sometimes, a behavior which normal in one society may be a significant social problem in another society. Now think everyone believe murders, suicides are social problems. In other hand school gang sing in the back seat of the bus may be consider as an undesirable social condition by some other people. But that school gang never considers it as an undesirable act. Taking alcohol in Galle face, non drinkers consider it...
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...------------------------------------------------- Scly1 Summer 2013 Using material from Item 2B and elsewhere, assess the contribution of functionalist sociologists to our understanding of the family. INSTRUCTIONS to candidates AS ESSAY – Scly1 Family/Households - 24marks – 24 minutes i.e. 2-2.5 pages average sized handwriting (2 pages typed) (AO1-10 & AO2-14) * ADD your Name/Option Group to the header * Size 12 font/calibri * Email a copy to MY. * Print /submit hard copy to your sociology teacher [print off the whole document] Essay Cover sheet MTG (circle): | A | B | C | Grade (circle): | A | B | C | D | E | Teacher Name: MARK YELLAND | Raw Mark: | | Unit (circle): | Scly | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Section (circle): | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Green Pen (when you ‘green pen’ add your comments/extra points in the box below) | Student self-evaluation (circle the numbers successfully completed) i.e. I have: 1. Used largely accurate spelling, grammar and punctuation. 2. Written 3/4/5 sentences for every paragraph, in continuous prose ( & No bullets & No hyphens & No forward slash) 3. Written 1 page every 10mins (e.g. 30mins=3 pages). 4. Written the first paragraph outlining the ‘big picture’ including key specialist vocabulary. 5. Referenced the key terms from the question in every paragraph (& underlined them in the question). 6. Used the majority of the key concepts/ideas from the MS (& ER). 7. Used at least 5 sources (i.e. names, e.g. from the MS). 8. Used...
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...For the most part of human civilisation families were always considered as being male dominated or patriarchal, however since the mid 1950\'s and onwards families have slowly become a lot more women orientated. Some sociologists argue that now women have a lot more power in the home and as they become more equal to men in society they also have more power in the marriage and the way the household operates, these sociologists say that modern day families are no longer male dominated as they were last century and before. However other argues that Patriarchal family does exist. In the 19th century, it was a patriarchal unit, where father/husband was the head of the family. He would often have little involvement in the care of his children and children might see relatively little to their parents and generally children had low status in the family and were expected ‘to be seen and not heard’. However now in 21st century the amount of time parents spend with their children has more than doubled since the 1960s and children’s welfare is seen as the major family priority. Feminists claim that families are essentially Patriarchal (dominated by men). Several sociologists have looked at how and by whom decisions are made in families. Sociologists such as Stephen Edgell in 1980 carried out a study in which he found that wives dominated decision making in interior decoration, children’s clothes and spending on food. These decisions are seen as frequent and not important whereas men made...
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...Many sociologists argue that the education system performs key functions in society. Functionalists such as Talcott Parsons say there are a few such as individual achievement, equal opportunity and role allocation. One of the main functions of the education system is role allocation. Role allocation is sorting and evaluating people in terms of talent and capabilities, then giving them appropriate roles in society. For example, in the institution of education, a teacher would be a main role. Their role expectation is to then help their pupils reach their full potential. Teach them right from wrong, stop violence, teach diversity and teach them respect. This tests students to discover talents and then match them talents later in life to jobs suited for them. Some disagree and say that instead of teachers providing knowledge and understanding in society, they may be teaching their own views and rules. This shows that teachers are doing their allocated role by teaching, but only teaching their pupils to a certain extent. A major value in modern industrial society is individual achievement. Young people are encouraged to achieve as individuals in school. This prepares young people to achieve as individuals outside of school and at work as they have earned it though ability. High achievement is rewarded by praise, along with good grades and valuable qualification needed in the world of work. However there is a main criticism to functionalism as it is difficult to see the link between...
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...Sociological analysis features regularly in media commentary and public debate. One sociologist noted “ours has become an age pervaded by sociology’ and sociological concepts have ‘drifted into our everyday language.’ Robert Merton 1981, p. 42. This familiarity with the subject matter of sociology – we are all members of society and thus by definition, should be automatic experts on the topic – can too often lead to the dismissal of the sociological enterprise as mere common sense. Yet, it is much more than that. Sociology involves a methodical study of human behaviours and societies. It is the study of the relationship between the individual and society, investigating how human thought, action and interaction shapes and is shaped by society, or how ‘we create society at the same time as we are created by it’. As sociologists, we need to view our own society as an outsider would. As sociologists, we need to view our own society as an outsider would. Questions: 1. Imagine you are looking through the telescope at our society. In your own words, how would you describe the society we live in? 2. How are you influenced by society? 3. How do you influence society? Figure 1 Understandascope: Leunig cartoon (1984) Figure 1 Understandascope: Leunig cartoon (1984) Figure 2 Scene from Czech National Puppet Theatre's 'Don Giovanni' Peter Berger, (1963) a famous sociologist, thought about sociology in this way: -------------------------------------------------...
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...whilst having an specific topic for the overall direction of the interview’s structure the flexibleness of the style can enter areas which may not be or have seemed not to be important. Although unstructured interviews are helpful they do hold some weakness, firstly the process can be expensive and take a great amount of time for discussion with more than just one person to improve reliability. A great deal of time is also spent in collecting and analysing the answers given afterwards due to key words, progression of trends and so on. Furthermore it is known that some participants to put themselves in a favourable position to the reality. Lastly it can be difficult to separate bias from opinion if the interviewer becomes friendly with the interviewee. However in comparison to this, it allows the interviewer the opportunity to come across in a more friendly and open manner than an appearance which may make the interviewee feel tense or worried, Ann Oakley, a feminist sociologist, stated ways of interviewing in an approachable and friendly manner, therefore allowing the interviewee to open up and share information which may have been closed off by more official methods. Finally, by following ethical practices the interviewee is fully aware of the subject and commonly gives consent to discussion. (reference) One other...
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...or prostitutes. According to Worsley (1977) a social problem is some piece of social behaviour that calls for collective action to solve it. In turn, policies help tackle social problems e.g. increasing payment for foster/ adoptive careers to reduce vulnerable children getting involved with crime. The founding fathers of sociology believed that sociology had a central part to play in society – in reforming social institutions, solving social problems and improving human condition. Comte (1798-1857) saw sociology as a practical subject, not confined solely to universities, but being applied to wider society to gain social progress. Emile Durkheim believed sociology contributing to social policy can solve question of order in society. Sociologists such as Giddens place a great emphasis on the practicality of studying sociology. The most significant outcome of sociology is that it allows us to understand the world around us, providing us with knowledge and insights. This understanding can take the form of factual knowledge which provides us with facts which allow us to form a judgement, or develop a theory. It also provides us with theoretical knowledge which provides us with an explanation why something is happening. He feels that it is important to study and understand social situations. These social situations could involve analysing social problems such as poverty. An example of this is the issue of poverty in...
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...analysis features regularly in media commentary and public debate. One sociologist noted “ours has become an age pervaded by sociology’ and sociological concepts have ‘drifted into our everyday language.’ Robert Merton 1981, p. 42. This familiarity with the subject matter of sociology – we are all members of society and thus by definition, should be automatic experts on the topic – can too often lead to the dismissal of the sociological enterprise as mere common sense. Yet, it is much more than that. Sociology involves a methodical study of human behaviours and societies. It is the study of the relationship between the individual and society, investigating how human thought, action and interaction shapes and is shaped by society, or how ‘we create society at the same time as we are created by it’. As sociologists, we need to view our own society as an outsider would. As sociologists, we need to view our own society as an outsider would. Questions: 1. Imagine you are looking through the telescope at our society. In your own words, how would you describe the society we live in? 2. How are you influenced by society? 3. How do you influence society? Figure [ 1 ] Understandascope: Leunig cartoon (1984) Figure [ 1 ] Understandascope: Leunig cartoon (1984) Figure 2 Scene from Czech National Puppet Theatre's 'Don Giovanni' Peter Berger, (1963) a famous sociologist, thought about sociology in this way:...
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...be described as a suggestive law, known as a social policy which will be used to improve, impact, or change aspects of society. Sociological research and government policies work together in that when sociologists collect results and data on subjects in which there is a problem within society, it allows the government to place policies to counteract the problems found in society by the sociological research. sociologists solely research social problems, such as poverty and divorce etc. and therefore some of the studies conducted have had massive influence on both government perceptions of underclass society as well as in the lives and well being of the public within the society being studied. As a result many of the key elements of research conducted are taken into consideration when new government policies are taken into consideration. However although some sociological research such as Murray's research on 'the underclass dependency culture, directly linked to the government policy / social policy that was then passed to help the older generations to live without depending on the younger members of the family. Positivists and Functionalists believe that sociology is a science and therefore they believe they can discover solutions to many of the problems in society. A key idea that Functionalists believe is that they see society as a system (Parsons), they believe that there are different parts to it and together they form a whole, and therefore they believe that all of...
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...system. Marxists’ contributions have drawn much criticism from Feminist and Functionalist sociologists, who question whether Marxism can help us to understand the family in contemporary society. Marxists argue that the key factor determining the shape of all social institutions, including the family, is the mode of production. Engels (1891) argues that the Capitalist mode of production has shaped the family in many ways. He argues that Capitalism depends on the patriarchal monogamous nuclear family. In Engel’s view this family structure is essential to Capitalist society because of the inheritance of private property- men have be certain of the paternity of their children in order to ensure that their legitimate heirs inherit from them. For Engels, it is the nature of Capitalism which dictates the structure of the nuclear family, and in turn the nuclear family maintains class inequality as inheritance of private property ensures that class divisions between the proletariat and bourgeoisie are maintained. However, Engel’s view can be criticized as it assumes that the nuclear family is dominant in capitalist society. This assumption ignores the wide and increasing variety of family structures found in society today. Engels also cannot explain why Capitalism has not broken down although the lines of private property inheritance are now more blurred because of family diversity.Another key function of the family, as outlined by Marxists,...
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...people fighting against each other. The society was characterized with the ideology of the survival for the fittest. People scrambled for limited resources that were available. As a result, the weakest members of the society were disadvantaged and faced with the threat of extinction (Furfey, 2005). People later recognized the importance of putting the social chaos to a stop and signing social contracts that would enable members of the community to co-exist peacefully. Members of the society transferred their rights to some few individuals who were bestowed with the duty of leading the society. This era paved way for the formation of various democratic societies, and increased interest in social studies by various sociologists (Coady, 2005). One such sociologist is Mary Wollstonecraft, whose sociological work largely transformed subsequent studies, formation, ideologies and inclinations of the society towards women, education and human rights (Browning et al, 1999). This essay is going to critically evaluate the works of Mary Wollstonecraft as well as a critical analysis of the socialist contribution to the sturdy of the society. The essay will also evaluate the impacts of the sociologist’s ideas on current sociological studies regarding the society. Discussion Background information Mary Wollstonecraft was born on 27th April 1759 and died on 10th September 1797. She was considered a prolific writer, a staunch advocate for women rights and a philosopher. Mary has...
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