...Comparing and Contrasting Essentialist Approaches to Social Psychology with Social Constructionist Approaches to Social Psychology. A widely recognised definition of social psychology is “an effort to understand and explain how the thought, feeling, and behaviour of individuals are influenced by the actual, imagined, or implied presence of others” (Allport, 1985). However, how to measure this, the research methods to be used and what constitutes useful evidence has caused much debate in the history of social psychology. This essay will compare and contrast the two epistemologies of essentialist and social constructionist approaches to social psychology and the research methods of quantitative and qualitative used in each approach. Essentialists’ view of the world is that the properties possessed by a group are universal in that group and do not depend on context. However, a member of a group may possess other characteristics that are not required to include it as a group member but, it must not have characteristics that preclude it from being a member of the group (Burr, 1995). For example, essentialists believe that personality consists of a number of traits and personality of an individual is established by the level of each of these traits. Essentialists also believe that these traits remain more or less stable over time and it is our personality that influences behaviour (Maltby, 2010). As essentialists are able to classify groups as such, they use quantitative research...
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...Arthur and Marilouse Kroker with analysis on both their ideas on gender including sex and sexuality. This essay also argues that these two approaches are fully flawed for a number of important reasons. This essay offered an argument on the ideas of two of the most prominent postmodernists in the field of ‘Gender’ including sex and sexuality namely Judith Bultler and Discussion Postmodernism of Judith Butler Judith Butler is one among the most influential proponent of postmodern practitioner of gender including sex and sexuality. In Gender Trouble It is stated that identity of gender constitutes the very expressions which are its results and does not go beyond the expressions of gender. Butler does not consider gender as an appropriate social as well as natural expressions of a sexed body, but it is a fluid identity which is always in a deferral state ad does not exist fully at any given point of time (Norris, 2010). She does not believe in the notion of a stable and essential identity of gender manifesting itself by way of external activities instead of the radical view which is anti-foundationalist meaning the doer is variably e constructed through and in the deed. Butler goes beyond the idea that gender did not exist prior to performance instituted by culture and questions it through the givenness of the body. Butler assumes that heterosexuality is an intrinsic oppressive force working towards eradicating difference and not...
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...programmes are no longer written by the homosexual for the homosexual, but have become integrated within “mainstream” mass media (Battles and Hilton-Morrow,2002). This paper will explore the extent of enabling and constraining effects that gay visibility and its accompanying representations have on the popular TV show “Will & Grace.” I will also examine how visibility has produced disciplinary discourses as well in the show as how it has created opportunities for resisting dominant ideologies. And then the paper will also explore how the media text shaped the societal and cultural attitudes towards LGBT individuals. Finally, the paper will address how the increasing visibility of’ LGBT’ individuals in the media tells us about our broader social, sexual, cultural world. The Season 3, Episode 1, the title is “Will New City”, I was amazed by the first 12 minutes of the show which represents sophisticated relationships among the three main characters: homosexual Will Truman, heterosexual Grace Adler and “very gay” friend Jack. The overall theme of this scene is Will spent three months on the island, and finally returns only to learn that Jack and Grace have bonded in his absence and leaving Will feeling left out. Meanwhile Grace still can't decide between Josh and Ben, Will and Jack struggling with each other about who knows Grace better. At the beginning of the show, Jack is flirting with a pizza delivery boy and says his name is Will Truman which is actually Will’s name. The surname...
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...INTRODUCTION The focus of social constructionism is to uncover the ways in which individuals and groups participate in the creation of their perceived reality. It involves looking at the ways social phenomena are created, institutionalized, and made into tradition by humans. Socially constructed reality is seen as an ongoing, dynamic process; reality is re-produced by people acting on their interpretations and their knowledge of it. Social phenomena include all behavior which influences or is influenced by organisms sufficiently alive to respond to one another. Behaviour refers to the actions or reactions of an object or organism, usually in relation to the environment. Behavior can be conscious or unconscious. Social constructionism can be seen as a source of the postmodern movement, and has been influential in the field of cultural studies. Some have gone so far as to attribute the rise of cultural studies (the cultural turn) to social constructionism. Berger (1966) is perhaps best known for his view that social reality is a form of consciousness. Central to Berger's work is the relationship between society and the individual. In his book The Social Construction of Reality Berger develops a sociological theory: 'Society as Objective Reality and as Subjective Reality'. His analysis of society as subjective reality describes the process by which an individual's conception of reality is produced by his or her interaction with social structures. He writes about how new human...
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...Women Psychology Exam 1 Chapter 1 Sex: a relatively narrow term that typically refers only to those inborn biological characteristics relating to reproduction, such as sex chromosomes or sex organs. Gender: the psychological characteristics and social categories that human culture creates. Doing Gender: (West and Zimmeman) we display gender in our social interactions and we perceive gender in other people during those interactions. Sexism: bias against people on the basis of their gender. Racism: bias against people on the basis of racial or ethnic groups. Classism: bias against people based on social class Ableism: bias against people with disabilities. Ageism: bias based on chronological age. Typically directed toward elderly people. Heterosexism: a belief system that devalues lesbians, gay males, and bisexuals – or any group that is not exclusively heterosexual. Feminist/ Feminism: women and men should be socially, economically, and legally equal. Women and men who hold these beliefs are feminists, however many people believe in feminist principles, even if they do not identify themselves as feminists. Cultural Feminism: emphasizes the positive qualities that are presumed to be strong in women than in men qualities such as nurturing and caretaking. (Cooperation) Liberal Feminism: emphasizes the goal of gender equality, giving women and men the same rights and opportunities. (Reduce our culture’s rigid gender roles) Radical Feminism:...
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...HMGEN80/101/0/2015 Tutorial letter 101/0/2015 Research Methodology in Gender Studies HMGEN80 Year Module Institute for Gender Studies IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This tutorial letter contains important information about your module. CONTENTS Page 1 INTRODUCTION 3 2 PURPOSE OF AND OUTCOMES FOR THE MODULE 4 2.1 Purpose 4 2.2 Outcomes 4 3 LECTURER(S) AND CONTACT DETAILS 5 3.1 Lecturer(s) 5 3.2 Department 5 3.3 University 6 4 MODULE-RELATED RESOURCES 6 4.1 Prescribed books 6 4.2 Recommended books 6 4.3 Electronic Reserves (e-Reserves) 6 5 STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE MODULE 7 6 MODULE-SPECIFIC STUDY PLAN 7 7 MODULE PRACTICAL WORK AND WORK-INTEGRATED LEARNING 7 8 ASSESSMENT 8 8.1 Assessment plan 8 8.2 General assignment numbers 9 8.2.1 Unique assignment numbers 9 8.2.2 Due dates for assignments 10 8.3 Submission of assignments 10 8.4 Assignments 11 9 OTHER ASSESSMENT METHODS 17 10 EXAMINATION 17 11 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 17 2 HMGEN80/101 1 INTRODUCTION Dear Student Our mode of delivery Please note that Honours modules at Unisa are taught through a BLENDED mode of delivery. This means that part of our teaching occurs via the medium of print (this Tutorial Letter, which has been printed), and part of it occurs ONLINE. Your study material for GEN4801, GEN4802, GEN4803, HMGEN80 (this module) and HMGEN81 will NOT...
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...50 Key Concepts in Gender Studies Jane Pilcher & Imelda Whelehan Fifty Key Concepts in Gender Studies i Recent volumes include: Key Concepts in Social Research Geoff Payne and Judy Payne Key Concepts in Medical Sociology Jonathan Gabe, Mike Bury and Mary Ann Elston Forthcoming titles include: Key Concepts in Leisure Studies David Harris Key Concepts in Critical Social Theory Nick Crossley Key Concepts in Urban Studies Mark Gottdiener The SAGE Key Concepts series provide students with accessible and authoritative knowledge of the essential topics in a variety of disciplines. Cross-referenced throughout, the format encourages critical evaluation through understanding. Written by experienced and respected academics, the books are indispensable study aids and guides to comprehension. JANE PILCHER AND IMELDA WHELEHAN Fifty Key Concepts in Gender Studies SAGE Publications London • Thousand Oaks • New Delhi iii © Jane Pilcher and Imelda Whelehan 2004 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, transmitted or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without permission in writing from the Publishers. SAGE Publications Ltd 1 Oliver’s Yard 55 City Road London EC1Y 1SP SAGE Publications Inc 2455 Teller Road Thousand Oaks, California 91320 SAGE Publications India Pvt Ltd B-42 Panchsheel Enclave Post Box 4109 New Delhi 100 017 British Library...
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...perceive through all sorts of difficulties until this research work was completed. I really feel proud of my honorable respondents who helped me to collect data in regard of my research title. Their helping mind really impressed me. So, I show my deepest sense of respect to them. My supervisor, I thank you for your guidance that brought me to the end of this work. Your politeness & cordial behavior added encouragement to my work. December, 2014 | Roll No:09203219Registration no: 3552Session: 2008-2009MSS, Department of Anthropology | ABSTRACT Being the main force conditioning human relationship, sex is essentially political. In any social context, the construction of a "sexual universe" is fundamentally linked to the structures of power. The construction of sexual meanings, is an instrument by which social institutions (religion, marketing, the educational system, psychiatry, etc.) control and shape human relationships. People define “sexuality” in different ways. Some people define it as sexually motivated behavior. But people all have their own...
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...Quezon City Polytechnic University Batasan Satellite Campus Batasan Hills, Quezon City Research Paper in Symbolic Logic HOMOSEXUALITIES Submitted by Joann E. Buenavente Submitted to Prof. Fabian Avila I. Introduction Homosexuality Homosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As an orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectionate, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to people of the same sex; "it also refers to an individual's sense of personal and social identity based on those attractions, behaviors expressing them, and membership in a community of others who share them." Homosexuality is one of the three main categories of sexual orientation, along with bisexuality and heterosexuality, within the heterosexual-homosexual continuum (with asexuality sometimes considered a fourth). Scientific and medical understanding is that sexual orientation is not a choice, but rather a complex interplay of biological and environmental factors,[1][3] especially with regard to early uterine environment. While there are those who still hold the view that homosexual activity is "unnatural" or "dysfunctional", research has shown that homosexuality is an example of natural variation in human sexuality and is not in and of itself a source of negative psychological effects. Prejudice and discrimination against homosexual and bisexual people...
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...critical theory today critical theory today A Us e r - F r i e n d l y G u i d e S E C O N D E D I T I O N L O I S T Y S O N New York London Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business Routledge Taylor & Francis Group 270 Madison Avenue New York, NY 10016 Routledge Taylor & Francis Group 2 Park Square Milton Park, Abingdon Oxon OX14 4RN © 2006 by Lois Tyson Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis Group, an Informa business Printed in the United States of America on acid‑free paper 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 International Standard Book Number‑10: 0‑415‑97410‑0 (Softcover) 0‑415‑97409‑7 (Hardcover) International Standard Book Number‑13: 978‑0‑415‑97410‑3 (Softcover) 978‑0‑415‑97409‑7 (Hardcover) No part of this book may be reprinted, reproduced, transmitted, or utilized in any form by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying, microfilming, and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without written permission from the publishers. Trademark Notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation without intent to infringe. Library of Congress Cataloging‑in‑Publication Data Tyson, Lois, 1950‑ Critical theory today : a user‑friendly guide / Lois Tyson.‑‑ 2nd ed. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 0‑415‑97409‑7 (hb) ‑‑ ISBN 0‑415‑97410‑0 (pb) 1. Criticism...
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...THE B L A C K SWAN The HIGHLY I mpact IM of the PROBABLE Nassim Nicholas Taleb U.S.A. $26.95 Canada $34.95 is a highly improbable event with three principal characteristics: It is unpre dictable; it carries a massive impact; and, after the fact, we concoct an explanation that makes it appear less random, and more predictable, than it was. The astonishing success of Google was a black swan; so was 9 / 1 1 . For Nassim Nicholas Taleb, black swans underlie almost everything about our world, from the rise of religions to events in our own personal lives. A BLACK SWAN Why do we not acknowledge the phenomenon of black swans until after they occur? Part of the answer, according to Taleb, is that humans are hardwired to learn specifics when they should be focused on generalities. We concentrate on things we already know and time and time again fail to take into consideration what we don't know. We are, therefore, unable to truly estimate oppor tunities, too vulnerable to the impulse to simplify, narrate, and categorize, and not open enough to rewarding those who can imagine the "impossible." For years, Taleb has studied how we fool our selves into thinking we know more than we actually do. We restrict our thinking to the irrelevant and inconsequential, while large events continue to surprise us and shape our world. Now, in this reve latory book, Taleb explains everything we know about what we don't know. He offers...
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