Psychology 2 - Lesson 10: Society and Culture Part I

Psychology 2 Lesson 10

Lesson 10: Society and Culture Part I

Lesson 10: Society and Culture Part I

CRB True or false? A society is a group of people who share traditions and interact and live with each other in some defined area.

False. A society is a group of people who share Culture and interact and live with each other in some defined area.

CRB Based on the last card, clearly Culture encompasses much more than just traditions. Which of the following is NOT included in the term Culture?

(A) Beliefs

(B) Politics

(C) Behavior

(D) Collective identities

(B) Politics

Culture is best defined as the beliefs, behaviors, languages, customs, rules, and collective identities shared by a society.

In the movie Avatar, individuals can wear a mask, which puts them inside a virtual world. Some people might argue that our lives are much like this in which the things around us may not actually be real. Which theory is this movie most relatable to?

(A) Conflict Theory

(B) Symbolic Interactionism

(C) Functionalism

(D) Social Constructionism

(D) Social Constructionism

This theory looks at how our reality is socially constructed and may not actually be as "real" as we think it is.

Feminist Theory is most closely related to which of the following theories?

(A) Conflict Theory

(B) Symbolic Interactionism

(C) Functionalism

(D) Social Constructionism

(A) Conflict Theory

Conflict Theory looks at power struggles between two groups, which is similar to how Feminist Theory looks at the differences between men and women in society.

You want to observe how discrimination may play out during job interviews, so you ask your friend if you can shadow them in their job as a manager. Should you approach this research project using a Macrosociology or Microsociology perspective? Why?

You should utilize a Microsociology perspective because Microsociology looks at small scale everyday interactions between individuals and small groups.

You are studying the economy of the United States and how it is influenced by job security. Should you approach this research project using a Macrosociology or Microsociology perspective? Why?

You should approach this project with a Macrosociology perspective as it focuses on large groups and society as a whole.

Match the following terms with the perspective that they rely on:

(1) Conflict Theory

(2) Symbolic Interactionism

(3) Functionalism

(A) Macrosociology

(B) Microsociology

(1) Conflict Theory -> (A) Macrosociology

(2) Symbolic Interactionism -> (B) Microsociology

(3) Functionalism -> (A) Macrosociology

How do Social Institutions relate to Society? Describe how the following Institutions' roles may have had an impact on your day yesterday.

-Legal system

-Education system

-Healthcare system

Social Institutions are established sets of norms and subsystems that support a society by meeting its needs. If society was a bike, Social Institutions are like the tires, pedals, bike frame, etc.

The Legal System may have protected your neighborhood from danger.

The Education System may have allowed you to go to class.

The Healthcare System may have supported you if you were sick.

Billy thinks that hospitals are great as they help take care of sick people. He sees big hospitals as the natural outgrowth of small family doctor offices. Which perspective does he have on Social Institutions?

(A) Progressive

(B) Democratic

(C) Conservative

(D) Optimistic

(C) Conservative

The Conservative view sees Social Institutions as naturally springing up to fill a need in society.

The Progressive view sees Social Institutions as man-made organizations that need to be controlled if they are to do their job right.

There is no such thing as a Democratic or Optimistic view of Social Institutions.

True or False? Social Institutions are temporary and may disappear after short periods of time.

False. The actual format of a Social Institution may change but it is still there. For instance, even if the Educational System were to change from public schools to charter schools, it would still be the Educational System, which will endure despite changes.

CRB Which of the following would be considered Social Institutions?

I. Family

II. Religion

III. Medicine

(A) II only

(B) I and II only

(C) I and III only

(D) I, II and III

(D) I, II and III

The most common examples of Social Institutions are:

- Family

- Religion

- Medicine

- Education

- Economy

- Government

CRB Within families, compare Spousal, Elder and Child Abuse.

All three of these types of abuses take place within the family.

Spousal Abuse is between one spouse and another, and can include physical, emotional, financial and sexual abuse.

Elder Abuse typically happens to the older relatives, and usually manifests itself as neglecting older relatives. Similarly, Child Abuse also manifests itself most commonly as neglect, although other forms of abuse are possible against both the elders and children.

CRB As doctors, we will be Mandated Reporters, and will be legally required to report on which of the following types of abuse?

I. Spousal Abuse

II. Elder Abuse

III. Child Abuse

(A) III only

(B) I and III only

(C) II and III only

(D) I, II and III

(C) II and III only

Under current Mandated Reporting laws, we will have to report Elder and Child abuse. This does not mean that Spousal abuse should be ignored though! Counselling on shelters and further information for victims should be offered when possible.

A teacher gives the class the following practice problem, "Jim takes three apples from Mary, which makes her angry, so she throws 2 apples at Jim's face. This makes Jim very sad. Eventually they apologize to each other and each eat one of Mary's apples together. If Mary originally had 13 apples, how many apples does she have now?" How does this relate to the idea of the Hidden Curriculum of Education?

The Hidden Curriculum of Education is the idea that the Education System is more than about just learning information. It is there to Socialize us and teach us things about the world such as manners, morals, and how to make friends. This practice problem doesn't just teach math but it has a hidden curriculum of teaching kids about being kind and forgiving.

By the way, Mary now has 6 apples left

How might Expectation Theory apply to a child that failed his most recent math test?

Perhaps this child failed the math test because his teacher did not believe he would succeed on this test; thus, the child was simply living up to the teacher's expectations.

Another possibility is that the child's previous teacher did not push the children very hard and gave them easy A's, resulting in their unpreparedness for this next grade level.

Why do schools in rich neighborhoods have better schools than those in poor neighborhoods if all public schools are owned by the government?

This is due to the fact that funding for public schools comes from property taxes, which are directly related to the affluence of a neighborhood.

Fred lives with his cat Janice. Can Fred and Janice be considered a family?

Not likely, because sociology defines a family as "a group of PEOPLE related to one another by bonds of blood, sexual mating, or legal ties."

Jack says that he is a Christian, but he doesn't go to church very often and doesn't really follow the teachings of his religion. He thinks of himself as spiritual, however, as he engages in meditation, yoga, and even tai chi. How would you describe the Religiosity of Jack?

Jack has a low amount of Religiosity because religion plays a small role in his life and he is not very engaged with his religion.

His spirituality is unrelated to his engagement with religion.

What is the difference between a Sect and a Cult?

A Sect is a breakaway or a revival of an established church. For example, Lutherans may be considered a sect as they broke away from Catholicism to form their own unique sect.

A Cult is a radical group (compared to a more established religious group) that is often led by a charismatic leader. These groups often only last for a short period of time. For instance, Heaven's Gate had very unique beliefs and they were led by a charismatic leader named Marshall Applewhite

CRB True or false? A society is Secularizing if they are moving Towards religion and historical practices and moving Away from rationality and scientific thinking.

False. A society is Secularizing if they are moving Away From religion and historical practices and moving Towards from rationality and scientific thinking.

CRB Opposing secularization is a strict adherence to religious codes, often seen by the most devout communities within a religion. Which of the following terms best describes this strict adherence?

(A) Religiosity

(B) Fundamentalism

(C) Spirituality

(D) Dedication

(B) Fundamentalism

Fundamentalism is best described as maintaining strict religious practices and standards.

Mark belongs to a community in which everyone shares property and profits. His community most closely resembles which type of government?

(A) Democracy

(B) Dictatorship

(C) Communism

(D) Monarchy

(C) Communism

Mark's community is like a communist government in which profits and property are shared.

What is the difference between a Dictatorship and a Monarchy?

A Dictatorship entails rule by a single powerful and often ruthless ruler.

A Monarchy entails rule by a royal figure or family, but it entails more organization beyond that such as having a ruling clergy or a parliament.

Why is China's economy viewed as being Socialistic in nature while the United State's economy is viewed as a form of capitalism?

China economy is likely focused on what is best for the group as a whole and features group ownership of production. The government is very involved in controlling the economy.

The United States economy is more focused on profits, has private ownership of production, and the government has a less involved role.

David lives in a rural community. He has a hard time focusing in school and finds that he is sad sometimes when his friends don't want to play. If the healthcare system in David's small community underwent Medicalization, how do you think David's life might be impacted?

David would likely be given medications to deal with his problems as his problems would now be seen as illnesses. He would likely be given ADD medication for his inability to focus and Depression medication for his sadness episodes.

Match the following theories with their respective theorist:

(A) Emile Durkheim

(B) George Herbert Mead

(C) Karl Marx

(1) Functionalism

(2) Conflict Theory

(3) Symbolic Interactionism

(A) Emile Durkheim -> (1) Functionalism

(B) George Herbert Mead -> (3) Symbolic Interactionism

(C) Karl Marx -> (2) Conflict Theory

CRB True or false? Part of how Marx saw Class Conflict was through Socioeconomic Status (SES) Differences.

True. Part of how Marx saw Class Conflict was through Socioeconomic Status (SES) Differences.

CRB Fill in the blanks: In Marxist theory, there are two main groups. The ___________ are the have-nots and can overthrow the _____________ by developing Class Consciousness.

(A) Poor, Rich

(B) Nuevo Riche, Old Money

(C) Proletariat, Bourgeoisie

(D) Bourgeoisie, Proletariat

(C) Proletariat, Bourgeoisie

In Marxist theory, there are two main groups. The Proletariat are the have-nots and can overthrow the Bourgeoisie by developing Class Consciousness.

CRB Compare Class Consciousness and False Consciousness.

Class Consciousness is the organization of the working class, and is built around common goals and recognizing the need for political action.

False Consciousness is created by Societal Institutions and various material goods to prevent the working class from perceiving their true situation.

Describe the basic premise of Functionalism and how it relates to the idea of Homeostasis.

Functionalism views society like an organism. When something is wrong with part of the Society, homeostasis is lost, throwing the society out of equilibrium. It sees all aspects of Society as having a function and as necessary for the survival of the Society.

CRB Emile Durkheim used another term (not Homeostasis) to describe this balance. Which term would Durkheim have used?

(A) Dynamic Equilibrium

(B) Restorative Balance

(C) Social Facts

(D) Latent Equilibrium

(A) Dynamic Equilibrium

Dynamic Equilibrium refers to how the many interdependent parts work together to achieve stability.

Describe how religion might be viewed as a Social Fact.

Social facts originate in an institution or culture and have an influence on individuals. We only notice it is there when we push against it, and it remains there despite people being born and dying.

In this context, religion is clearly a social fact because of how it affects behaviors and attitudes of individuals.

What might be a Latent Function of Apple as a company? What about a Manifest Function?

Latent Functions may include providing employees with a sense of purpose, health insurance, or even friendships with others. These are the purposes of a company that are hidden under the service and not directly related to their core purpose.

Manifest Functions may include making profit, innovation, and contributing to the technology of the world. These are the obvious and stated purposes of a Social Institution.

CRB After filming the newest box-office hit in Wakanda, there is a severe income gap between the regular citizens and the actors in Wakanda. Filming the movie there actually ended up destabilizing their society. What would this process best be defined as?

(A) Social Inequality

(B) Social Facts

(C) Latent Functions

(D) Social Dysfunction

(D) Social Dysfunction

Social Dysfunction is a process that has undesirable consequences and can destabilize a society. Based on the description of Wakanda after filming, making the movie there was a Social Dysfunction.

What is the main factor that causes a society to change from one in which individuals are independent and self-sufficient to one in which individuals work together and divide labor?

Population growth within a small space leads to issues that must be reconciled by working together.

Put the following stages of a society in order according to Karl Marx's Conflict Theory:

I. Capitalism

II. Socialism

III. Feudalism

(A) III > I > II

(B) III > II > I

(C) I > II > III

(D) II > I > III

(A) III > I > II

The order of a society's development is as follows according to Karl Marx: Feudalism > Capitalism > Socialism

CRB Match the following Conflict Theory thinkers with their main contributions.

I. Karl Marx

II. Max Weber

III. Ludwig Gumplowicz

(A) Society is shaped by war and cultural/ethnic conflicts lead to some groups dominating others.

(B) Inequalities in capitalism lead to conflict, but capitalism collapsing is not inevitable based off of this alone.

(C). The economic conflicts between social classes will lead to self-destruction of capitalism.

I. Karl Marx - (C). The economic conflicts between social classes will lead to self-destruction of capitalism.

II. Max Weber - (B) Inequalities in capitalism lead to conflict, but capitalism collapsing is not inevitable based off of this alone.

III. Ludwig Gumplowicz - (A) Society is shaped by war and cultural/ethnic conflicts lead to some groups dominating others.

CRB True or false? Power refers to some form of influence over people, and these power differentials are the basis of Marxist Conflict Theory.

True. Power refers to some form of influence over people, and these power differentials are the basis of Marxist Conflict Theory.

Which of the following best exemplifies Class Consciousness?

(A) Jim is in school learning about social class. He realizes for the first time in his life that he is part of the middle class.

(B) Mary is playing with her friend Sarah. Sarah says she won't play with Mary because she is fat, increasing Mary's sensitivity to her weight.

(C) Sam works at the only lemonade stand in the town. After talking to his buddy from a neighboring town, he realizes that he and his fellow citizens are being ripped off, so he incites his fellow citizens to demand change.

(D) Thomas is applying to college when he realizes that he is unable to afford enrolling in all the needed classes. He feels jealous of wealthier students.

(C) Sam works at the only lemonade stand in the town. After talking to his buddy from a neighboring town, he realizes that he and his fellow citizens are being ripped off, so he incites his fellow citizens to demand change.

Class Consciousness occurs when the oppressed class realizes that they are being taken advantage of and join together based on this understanding.

Describe the relationship of the Bourgeoisie and the Proletariat according to Karl Marx's Conflict Theory.

Bourgeoisie own the means of production such as a factory. The Proletariat are the workers that do the producing such as being factory workers. The Proletariat are dependent upon the Bourgeoisie for their livelihood.

As stated before, Sam works at the only lemonade stand in the town. After talking to his buddy from a neighboring town, he realizes that he and his fellow citizens are being ripped off, so he incites his fellow citizens to demand change. What is the Thesis in Sam's town? What about the Antithesis? What might be the Synthesis?

The Thesis is the idea that the lemonade stand owner (the Bourgeoisie) is in charge and can set whatever wages he wants for his workers.

The Antithesis is the idea that the lemonade stand workers (the Proletariat workers) have to overthrow the lemonade stand owner.

Because the Thesis and the Antithesis cannot coexist, they will eventually result in a Synthesis. Perhaps in this case, the lemonade stand workers form a union, which results in a legal right to higher wages.

True or False? An Antithesis may come from the Bourgeoisie.

True. The Antithesis can come from any source. What makes it an Antithesis is that it opposed the accepted status quo (the Thesis).

Describe how money can be an example of a Social Construct through the lens of Social Constructionism.

Money is just paper. It has no real value in and of itself. It is really good for nothing without the meaning we attach to it. It only has value in as much as the entire community agrees that it represents value and can be used to buy things. You might say that the value of money is socially constructed.

Is the saying, "what goes up must come down" a Brute Fact or an Institutional Fact?

This saying is an Institutional Fact because it is based upon other facts such as gravity, which is based on mass, which is based on atomic structure, and so on. A Brute Fact is a fact that cannot be explained by any other facts. It can stand on its own.

How does Weak versus Strong Social Constructionism view Brute and Institutional Facts?

Weak Social Constructionism believes that Brute Facts exist while Strong Social Constructionism believes that Brute Facts do not exist and that, instead, everything is Socially Constructed.

True or False? Symbolic Interactionism would say that two people cannot look at the same image and see two different things.

False. Symbolic Interactionism is based on the idea that two people can look at the same image and see two different things. To one person, a cross might symbolize death. To another it might symbolize healthcare. It is dependent upon their perspective.

Herbert Blumer came up with the three tenets of Symbolic Interactionism. Which of the following is/are not some of his tenants?

I. Our actions are dependent upon the meaning we attach to things.

II. People learn the meanings of things from others.

III. The meaning we attach to things are stable over time.

(A) I Only

(B) II Only

(C) I and II Only

(D) II and III Only

(D) II and III Only

People learn the meanings of things from others (II), and the meaning we attach to things are stable over time (III) are NOT tenets of Symbolic Interactionism. The three tenets of Symbolic Interactionism are as follows:

I. Our actions are dependent upon the meaning we attach to things.

II. Different people attach different meanings to things.

III. The meaning we attach to things CAN change over time.

Mark's Professor reads Mark's research article. His professor states that the paper does not account for the individual people that make up the society examined and that it does not take into account wide-scale changes that may occur. Mark most likely used which perspective in writing his paper?

(A) Conflict Theory

(B) Symbolic Interactionism

(C) Functionalism

(D) Social Constructionism

(C) Functionalism

Mark looked at society as a whole and failed to account for wide-scale changes that might come from conflict. This implies that Mark was relying on the Functionalist perspective.

Which of the following would be most intriguing to a sociologist that specializes in Feminism?

(A) Jill asks Jack to trade sandwiches at lunch time.

(B) Sam tells Alyssa that he likes her.

(C) Jenny receives a smaller allowance than her twin brother Dewey.

(D) At recess, Mary taunts Harold, saying, "men go to Jupiter to get more Stupider."

(C) Jenny receives a smaller allowance than her twin brother Dewey.

Feminists are interested in Gender inequalities. This example shows a distinct inequality in which a girl is treated differently than a boy in a way that would be seen as unfair.

Women are shown naked in movies 3 times more often than men are. This most closely illustrates which term of interest to Feminists?

(A) Discrimination

(B) Objectification

(C) Oppression

(D) Gender Roles

(B) Objectification

Objectification is the treating of someone like an object to be looked at rather than respected, as is the case with pornography or pornographic media, which in this example illustrates that women are more commonly the victim of objectification.

CRB Prior to World War II in the United States, many middle- and upper-class women were expected to stay at home to be caretakers for the children and home, whereas the men would work and earn the money needed to support the family. This most closely illustrates which term of interest to Feminists?

(A) Discrimination

(B) Objectification

(C) Oppression

(D) Gender Roles

(D) Gender Roles

Gender Roles Refer to behaviors expected from specific genders, as seen between the men and women between the Industrial Revolution and World War II.

CRB Feminists are also closely associated with the "Glass Ceiling". Think of an example of the Glass Ceiling involving Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC).

At KFC, there may be many team members that are women. However, the Glass Ceiling suggests that these women would be promoted to managers and higher positions less frequently, and it is unlikely that they would rise to the highest administrative positions, like taking over for the Colonel when sold the company in 1964.

How might a feminist view the use of the term "policeman"?

They may see it as structural oppression, which puts women in a box that says they can't be a police officer.

True or False. Rational Theory is based on the idea that the best choices are made by individuals who are thinking rationally.

False. Rational Theory is based on the idea that the every choice we make is rational and based on a cost-benefit analysis in which we try and maximize our personal gain.

There are three main underlying premises of the Rational Choice Theory. Describe each of the following premises in terms of choosing between options A, B, and C:

1. Completeness

2. Transitivity

3. Independence of Irrelevant Alternatives

1. Completeness -

A, B, C have different values and can thus be ranked as follows: A > B > C

2. Transitivity - If A > B > C then A must also be > than C

3. Independence of Irrelevant Alternatives - If you add in option Z then this new option will not change anything and is not preferable to A, B, nor C.

CRB True or false? Based on these previous descriptions, Rational Choice Theory could be compared to a mental Pros and Cons list.

True. Based on these previous descriptions, Rational Choice Theory could be compared to a mental Pros and Cons list.

CRB Which of the following best describe the goal of Rational Choice Theory?

(A) Choosing the course of action that does the least harm.

(B) Choosing the most altruistic path of action.

(C) Choosing the course of action that will maximize personal benefit.

(D) Choosing the simplest path of action to achieve one's goals.

(C) Choosing the course of action that will maximize personal benefit.

The goal of Rational Choice Theory is to choose the course of action that will maximize personal benefit.

CRB True or false? Since both of the following are focused on maximizing personal benefit from choices, Rational Choice Theory and Game Theory can be considered similar.

True. Since both of the following are focused on maximizing personal benefit from choices, Rational Choice Theory and Game Theory can be considered similar.

How does Rational Choice Theory relate to Exchange Theory?

Exchange Theory is Rational Choice Theory as applied to social interactions. It is the idea that if actions receive social approval, they are more likely to be repeated.

Which of the following theories assume that we have the information we need to make rational choices?

I. Game Theory

II. Rational Choice Theory

III. Exchange Theory

(A) I Only

(B) I and II Only

(C) II and III Only

(D) I, II, and III

(C) II and III Only

Both Rational Choice and Exchange Theory assume that we have the information we need to make a rational choice.

How might Exchange Theory relate to Altruism?

Exchange Theory would say that truly Altruistic Acts do not happen since they do not logically result in the greatest gain for the individual deciding to act altruistically.