Soc Exam 2 ( chapter 4)

What is socialization?

A lifelong process when individuals learn and internalize the culture, beliefs, norms and behavioral expectations of their society

Why do sociologists say that socialization continues across the whole life course?

Human life involves continuous interactions that cause change as you grow

How does the nature vs. nurture debate apply to something like language or gender roles?

It helps determine whether the behavior is driven from something biological or cultural

What evidence would point to the nature side of society?

Driven biologically like, the language you speak

What evidence would point to the nurture side of society?

Driven culturally like, behaviors or norms

What are the three steps of Cooley’s looking-glass self?

Imagine how others view us, imagine how others judge that view, create a feeling towards yourself about your actions

What is an example of a time when someone’s reaction changed how you saw yourself?

I forgot an important anniversary of my mom’s; once I realized, I felt horrible and acknowledged it right away. She reacted normally and didn’t even seem fazed that I was pretty late. This made me feel not as bad towards myself for almost forgetting.

What does Mead’s “Me” mean?

Internalized expectations/ generalized other

What does Mead’s “I” mean?

Spontaneous/ impulsive reaction to the other one

How does role-playing in childhood (playing “house,” for example) lead from understanding the “other” to understanding the “generalized other”?

Allows children to see society not just through their lives but also through others lives (not all about them, others have their own life)

Why does your perception of the generalized other shape your behavior on a normal day?

We care about how other view us and talk about us

What are two examples of how your perception of the generalized other shapes your behavior on a normal day?

Standing patiently in a line of people instead of cutting, before going out of the house making sure you look presentable

What do total institutions teach you about socialization in society?

Resocialization, strict rules, adapted to a controlled environment

What does the media teach you about socialization in society?

Broad trends, public attitudes, societal ideals

What does your family teach you about socialization in society?

Basic identity, core values/beliefs and behavior norms

What do your peers teach you about socialization in society?

Independence from adults, trends in society, social conversations

What does school teach you about socialization in society?

Structured discipline, formal knowledge, rules

How do middle-class and working-class parenting styles differ?

The parent’s structured time, why they communicate/ react to authority, preparation of child for the “real world”

How does adult socialization differ from resocialization?

Ongoing process of learning the norms and rules vs. making you unlearn the past to be in a new place

Why is a total institution such a strong example of resocialization?

It completely isolates them from the outside world and adopts brand new rules/norms

What is the role using Merton’s role theory?

The action of the behavioral status

What is status using Merton’s role theory?

Socially recognized position that someone holds in society

How is status and role in Merton’s role theory connected?

socially defined position that a person occupies vs. the behaviors and responsibilities actually happening

What’s an example of a master status?

Being the professer in a class room

What is an example of a status set?

Being a daughter, mother and teacher

What is an example of an achieved status?

College graduate

What is an example of an ascribed status?

Being a biological twin

Can a status be both ascribed and achieved?

Yes, King or Queen. Given to you because of your family but, must maintain it/ be good at it

Describe a conflict between two statuses in your own status set. How do you handle the clashing expectations?

Being a friend and a student. Battling to balance school focus and social life interactions with friends

What does it mean to say something is “socially constructed”? Does that mean it isn’t real?

It exists, functions and/or has meaning only through human agreement

What are the three tenets of symbolic interactionism?

Meaning, Interaction, Interpretation

 Explain Goffman’s dramaturgical theory. What are “front stage” and “back stage” behavior, and how does each appear in a job interview or a classroom?

How do people gain, maintain, and lose “face”? Give an example of each.

How do people gain face?

Bt creating authority or trust

How do people lose face?

When they are exposed infront of others

How do people maintain face?

Keeping a positive public image

What’s an example of gaining face?

Boss giving public praise in front of colleagues

What’s an example of maintaining face?

Saying let me see what I do instead of giving on on that person or topic

What’s an example of losing face?

Shouting at a team member in pubic

What is ethnomethodology?

The unwritten, unspoken rules of daily life, the "invisible glue" that keeps society functioning smoothly

What did Garfinkel’s breaching experiments reveal about unspoken social rules?

There is a script and an unspoken rule that guide human interaction

Name a social script you follow.

Ordering food at a restaurant

What happens when someone breaks a social script?

Creates a rupture in the conversation

How do sociologists define deviance?

Any behavior, belief, or appearance that violates cultural or social norms

What’s a behavior that was once considered deviant but is now accepted, or the reverse?

A woman wearing pants; would only wear dresses or skirts

Why is Durkheim’s theory of social cohesion considered functionalist?

He viewed society as a living organism made of interconnected parts that work together to maintain stability, order, and equilibrium

What is social control?

the systems, rules, and mechanisms that society uses to regulate individual and group behavior, encourage conformity to social norms, and prevent deviance

What is normative compliance?

The act of following social rules, group expectations, or laws because they are perceived as morally valid, legitimate, or necessary for social acceptance, rather than purely out of fear of punishment

Why does formal social control depend on informal social control?

People of the law can’t see every time someone breaks a law

Explain the paradox: “The deviants among us hold society together.” Use at least three of these terms: values, social cohesion, punishment, crime, social control, mechanical solidarity.

Deviants are created because there are certain expectations and rules; without deviants, there would be no expecations

What is the response in Merton’s strain theory on conformity?

Playing by the rules to achieve success/ being comfortable

What is an example of Merton’s strain theory on conformity?

A college student who studies hard, graduates, and takes a 9-to-5 corporate job to buy a house and save for retirement.

What is the response in Merton’s strain theory on innovation?

Using an unconventional or illegal shortcut to get success

What is an example of Merton’s strain theory on innovation?

Bank robber or drug dealer

What is the response in Merton’s strain theory on ritualism?

Going through the motions

What is an example of Merton’s strain theory on ritualism?

Someone showing up to work every day on time and doing what they are supposed to knowing they will never get a promotion

What is the response in Merton’s strain theory on retreatism?

A psychological or physical escape when someone completely drops out of society as well as giving up on goals and rules

What is an example of Merton’s strain theory on retreatism?

Drug addict, don’t care and want to be left alone

What is the response in Merton’s strain theory to rebellion?

When someone rejects society’s goal/rule and changes it or replaces it with something new

What is an example of Merton’s strain theory on rebellion?

Organized protest on freedom