Society & Social Interaction

social constructions of reality

the process by which people creatively shape reality through social interaction and habit

habituation

any action that is repeated frequently is cast into a pattern, which forms habits; then, habits are passed down from one generation to the next

institutionalization

the act of implanting a convention or norm into society

Thomas Theorem

If people define situations as real, they are real in their consequences. This is related to the fact that moral codes & social norms are created by continuous definitions of the situation.

self-fulfilling prophecy

an expectation that causes you to act in ways that make that expectation come true; also referred to as the Pygmalion Effect

Major conclusions from The Meaning of Work video (from the School of Life)

work has not always been defined in the same way; definitions of work are influenced by religion, science, the economic system, government, capitalism, and technology

transformation of societies

Hunter-gatherer

Pastoral

Horticultural

Agricultural

Feudal

Industrial

Post-industrial / Information Age

Major societal shifts brought about by the Agricultural Revolution

creation of surplus,

concentration of wealth,

greater differences in social status within a community because of differences in wealth and power

social institutions

standard ways that society meets its basic needs, which set the context for behavior and orientations to life

infrastructure

term used to refer to the basic physical & organizational structures & facilities needed for modern societies to function

Durkheim's view on social structure

society is greater than the sum of its parts and social integration is vital for healthy societies

mechanical solidarity

Durkheim's term for the unity (a shared consciousness) that people feel as a result of performing the same or similar tasks

organic solidarity

Durkheim's term for the interdependence that results from the division of labor; as part of the same unit, we all depend on others to fulfill their jobs

anomie

inability to name the experience you're having; a sense of aimlessness or despair that arises when we can no longer reasonably expect life to be predictable; too little social regulation; normlessness

mechanical vs. organic solidarity

organic solidarity is much more fragile than mechanical solidarity; societies that celebrate individualism runs the risk of forgetting to tell individuals what they can and cannot do, which leaves them more likely to experience anomie

examples of anomie

suicide, addiction, mass shooters, loneliness

manifest functions

intended consequences of social structures that benefit society

latent functions

unintended or unanticipated consequences of social structures that benefit society

manifest dysfunctions

intended consequences of social structures that harm society

latent dysfunctions

unintended or unanticipated consequences of social structures that harm society

Marx's structure of society

society's structure is made up of 2 main parts - base & superstructure; the base, which is the economic system, determines the rest of society

alienation

the term Marx used to describe the experience of isolation and misery resulting from workers' powerlessness and position in the social structure

false consciousness

the term Marx used to describe an attitude held by members of a class that does not accurately reflect their objective position; a condition when individuals participate in their own oppression

class consciousness

Marx's term for awareness of a common identity based on one's position in the social structure, specifically the means of production

Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire

(1911) 146 women killed while locked into the burning building, which brought attention to poor working conditions and the powerlessness of many factory workers

Herbert Gan's functions of poverty

a functional analysis of poverty which identified ways that poverty provides benefits to society. Functions of poverty include:

Ensuring the dirty work gets done

Subsidizing economic activities that benefit the rich

Providing jobs that serve the poor

Prolonging the usefulness of goods

Providing role models for deviance

Allowing the non-poor to live vicariously through them

society or social structure with the most equality among its people

hunter-gatherer societies