Sociology of Identity, Role, and Power: Key Concepts and Theories

What is the primary focus of symbolic interactionism?

A micro-level approach examining social life as a function of interactions between people, groups, and institutions.

What does the 'sick role' refer to in sociology?

A concept that describes the social expectations surrounding illness, including failure to fulfill role expectations or role abandonment.

What is meant by 'status hierarchy'?

A ranking of individuals or groups based on their social status within a society.

Define 'ideal worker norm'.

Cultural expectations that prioritize work commitments over family responsibilities, emphasizing long hours and flexibility.

What is a significant symbol?

A symbol that elicits the same response and meaning from all parties involved in an interaction.

What are Blumer's three premises of symbolic interactionism?

1) People act towards things based on meanings ascribed to them. 2) Meanings are derived from social interactions. 3) Meanings are modified through interpretive processes.

What does 'planful competence' entail?

The ability to make realistic choices regarding education, occupation, and marriage, while planning for the future.

What is the impact of role deviation?

It can lead to disapproval and negative evaluations from others, as well as self-shame and negative self-appraisal.

How does status matter in fulfilling role expectations?

The perceptions of others regarding an individual's status can influence their ability to meet role expectations.

What is the relationship between aspirations and status attainment?

Some theories suggest that high aspirations are key to upward mobility, while others emphasize the importance of resources.

What does 'mutually reinforcing disadvantages' refer to?

The concept that various disadvantages, such as lack of education and social capital, can compound and hinder success.

What is the significance of 'cooperative interdependence'?

A social dynamic where individuals rely on each other to achieve common goals, emphasizing collaboration.

What is a 'sociocultural schema'?

A framework that helps individuals understand and interpret social situations based on cultural norms and values.

What does the term 'role conflict' mean?

A situation where an individual faces competing demands from different roles they occupy.

What is the role of 'social capital' in achieving aspirations?

Social capital refers to the networks and relationships that provide support and resources necessary for success.

What does 'downward evaluation' refer to?

The process of being judged negatively by others or oneself due to failure to meet role expectations.

How does the concept of 'gendered organizations' apply to work?

It refers to the norms and expectations about who should perform certain types of work based on gender.

What is the significance of the 'Closing the Deal' clip in understanding roles?

It illustrates the importance of role fulfillment and the consequences of deviating from expected behaviors.

What does 'role abandonment' imply in the context of the sick role?

It refers to the failure to fulfill the expected behaviors associated with being ill, leading to social stigma.

What is the meaning of 'sign' in symbolic interactionism?

An object or event that is directly connected to the natural world and prompts a habitual response.

What is the difference between a 'sign' and a 'symbol'?

A sign has a direct connection to a natural response, while a symbol is a socially created representation that can have varied meanings.

What does the term 'meaning' signify in sociology?

The purpose or significance attributed to an object, gesture, or event within social interactions.

What does the phrase 'the text talks back' imply in sociological contexts?

It suggests that social interactions and communications can have significant implications and responses from individuals.

What is the role of 'face-to-face interaction' in symbolic interactionism?

It is prioritized as a key component in understanding social life and the meanings derived from personal interactions.

What is the primary focus of social interaction in developing the self?

The answer is found within social interaction.

What role do predetermined rituals play in social situations?

They make interaction possible but also constrain behavior.

What can happen when individuals feel compelled to fulfill social norms?

It might lead to conflict.

What is Goffman's concept of Dramaturgy?

It suggests that people are actors and society is the stage.

What does Goffman's 'Interaction Order' refer to?

A largely invisible and unspoken set of norms and rituals followed in face-to-face interactions.

What is the 'definition of the situation'?

The agreed upon, subjective understanding of what will happen in a given situation and who will play which roles.

What is meant by 'social homeostasis'?

It refers to a state where everyone knows their position when norms are complied with.

What is 'Impression Management'?

The process by which people try to influence the perceptions others have of them.

What are 'Expressions given' in the context of impression management?

Verbal symbols that convey the information one wants to express intentionally.

What are 'Expressions given off'?

Involuntary expressive behaviors that communicate unintentionally, usually non-verbal.

What is the 'working consensus'?

It refers to whose claims concerning issues will be temporarily honored in a social setting.

How does Goffman's theory apply to modern social interactions?

His ideas are still relevant and cited in contemporary sociological research.

What is the dominant narrative in sociological research on immigration?

Successful immigrants assimilate into American norms.

What does Dr. Kwon criticize about the dominant framing of the immigrant experience?

He questions the expected behaviors built into the role of an 'American'.

What is 'Doing American'?

It refers to the behaviors and norms expected of individuals in American society.

What is 'intersectionality' according to Dr. Kimberlé Crenshaw?

A framework for understanding how multiple forms of inequality and disadvantage intersect.

What was the consequence of the law's inadequate response to gender and race discrimination?

Black women and immigrant women of color face overlapping forms of discrimination.

How should intersectionality be understood?

As an analysis of power and marginalization for people in statuses of exclusion.

What is a common misconception about intersectionality?

That it is merely about identity rather than status hierarchies.

What strategies do language brokers use to 'do American'?

They may use passing and 'sounding' like an American when interacting with authority.

What does the term 'outsider-within' refer to?

Individuals who can creatively use their marginality to navigate social situations.

What is the significance of Goffman's idea that you must believe in the 'part' you are playing?

It emphasizes the importance of authenticity in social performances.

What is the difference between a symbol and a significant symbol?

A symbol has a generalized social meaning, while a significant symbol has a specific shared meaning among parties.

What does the Thomas Theorem state?

If men define situations as real, they are real in their consequences.

What are the potential consequences of refusing to honor the definition of the situation?

There may be social repercussions, but it can also lead to benefits in certain contexts.

What is the impact of hiding one's accent in social interactions?

It leads to the internalization of the 'me' and can create a sense of belonging or alienation.

What are some benefits of shielding in communication?

It can protect parents and maintain civility, but may also lead to misrepresentation and feelings of loneliness.

What does 'role reversal' refer to in the context of identity?

Taking on adult responsibilities, often in immigrant families, which can create a power dynamic.

What are the potential disadvantages of 'posing' as an American?

Loss of identity, emotional labor, and risk of downward evaluation if unsuccessful.

What are Blumer's three premises regarding social interaction?

Hierarchies of status, status evaluations, and symbolic meaning formulation.

How does James Baldwin describe the experience of being perceived as a 'wonder'?

He notes the lack of recognition as a human being and the objectification in such interactions.

What does the term 'generalized other' refer to in social interactions?

It frames interactions and helps individuals understand the norms and expectations of society.

What is the significance of 'identity work'?

It involves activities individuals engage in to create and sustain personal identities that align with their self-concept.

What does the interdependent view of identity suggest?

Identity is produced through social relations and is both individual and collective.

What are the two levels of identity as described in the notes?

Shared status (we) and subjective self-perception (I or me).

How does identity relate to systems of power?

Identity reflects and remakes systems of power, often appearing stable and rigid despite being fluid.

What are the risks associated with interaction with police for immigrants?

There is a risk of escalation leading to deportation.

What is the role of performance in social interactions?

Performance can be a strategy to win over others, but it may also be disregarded by authority figures.

What does Baldwin mean by 'speak to your people'?

He emphasizes the importance of addressing one's own community and the impact of the Negro experience on American character.

What is the concept of 'downward evaluation'?

It refers to the negative assessment of one's status based on the perceived failure of parents to assimilate.

What does 'identity confusion' imply in the context of posing?

It suggests a struggle to reconcile one's true identity with the need to fit into a different social context.

What are the consequences of the American generalized other?

It can lead to phobias and othering, impacting social dynamics and interactions.

What is the significance of 'expressions given and expressions given off'?

They need to be managed to successfully convey intended impressions in social interactions.

What does it mean for identity to be 'always becoming'?

It indicates that identity is a continuous process of growth and reimagining based on social relations.

How can cultural capital influence the effectiveness of posing?

Understanding middle-class norms is essential for successfully navigating social interactions and posing.

What is the role of literature in understanding identity?

Literature challenges taken-for-granted assumptions and provides significant symbols that shape our understanding of reality.

What does 'censoring and filtering' refer to in the context of language brokers?

It involves modifying the communication of English-speaking monolinguals when translating for their parents.

What are the implications of 'emotional labor/management' in identity work?

It requires individuals to manage their emotions and expressions to fit into expected social roles.

What does the term 'networking' imply in the context of fitting in?

It refers to building social capital and connections that can provide access to resources.

How does the concept of 'identity as a social process' manifest?

Identity is shaped by social interactions and cultural experiences, making it both individual and collective.

What is the concept of 'self-presentation' in social contexts?

Self-presentation serves as armor or protection and can (re)define social situations.

What role did Ralph Millard play in the Korean War regarding reconstructive surgery?

He was a U.S. military doctor performing reconstructive surgery on injured Korean soldiers, including double eyelid surgery.

What economic impact did the South Korean Economic Crisis of 1997 have on plastic surgery?

The crisis led to a decrease in jobs, increasing the demand for plastic surgery as photos were required for job applications.

What is the significance of the 'Korean Cool' phenomenon?

It reflects Korea's $12 billion beauty industry and how beauty has become an export that shapes cultural perceptions globally.

What does 'Identity Talk' refer to?

It is the verbal construction or assertion of personal identities, often influenced by power relations and systems of inequality.

How do societal beauty norms affect individuals with different body types?

American society rewards both thinness and curviness, leading to conflicting messages and hidden eating disorders across various demographics.

What is the definition of stress in a sociological context?

Stress is a state of arousal resulting from socioenvironmental demands that exceed an individual's adaptive capacity.

What is a 'stressor'?

A stressor is an external circumstance that challenges or obstructs an individual's ability to cope.

What is an 'anticipatory stressor'?

An anticipatory stressor involves negative events that are not real but have the potential to become real, such as job uncertainty.

What is a 'minority stressor'?

A minority stressor arises from experiences of stigma and discrimination in society, affecting marginalized groups.

What is a 'vicarious stressor'?

A vicarious stressor is experienced by witnessing someone else go through a stressful life event.

What does 'stress proliferation' refer to?

Stress proliferation is when an initial stressor leads to additional stressors, accumulating over time.

How can stigma-power affect individuals living with stigma?

Stigma-power can keep individuals down, in, or away, influencing their self-esteem and social interactions.

What is the 'In' concern in the stigma-power process model?

The 'In' concern involves individuals wanting to stay within social norms to avoid negative evaluation due to their stigmatized characteristics.

What are some examples of general stressors?

General stressors include major life changes such as being fired or denied a loan.

What is the impact of chronic stress on well-being?

Chronic stress can lead to trauma and ongoing difficulties, affecting physical and psychological health.

How does immigration complicate struggles with eating disorders?

Immigration can exacerbate cultural conflicts and pressures regarding body image and eating behaviors.

What is the role of social media in shaping beauty norms?

Social media has changed the default 'generalized other' for beauty norms, influencing societal standards and individual perceptions.

What is the significance of Pierre Bourdieu's work?

Bourdieu specialized in social class inequality and how culture is used to maintain status inequalities, influencing sociological thought.

What is the relationship between stress and social support?

Social support can act as a buffer against stress, providing psychological and material resources to cope.

What does 'decolonizing beauty routines' entail?

It involves challenging and redefining beauty standards that are often Eurocentric and oppressive to diverse identities.

What is the significance of symbolic power in social interactions?

Symbolic power relates to status and capital, influencing how individuals are perceived and treated in social contexts.

What are the stakes of symbolic power in stigmatized interactions?

The stakes involve who maintains control in social situations and how stigma influences perceptions of attractiveness.

What is the impact of stigma on self-esteem?

Stigma can lead to low self-esteem and a downward placement in social hierarchies, affecting individuals' willingness to seek inclusion.

How can stressors accumulate over a person's life course?

Stressors can build up over time, with earlier stressors influencing later experiences and overall well-being.