Sociology
What Influences Our Social Behaviour.
Definition: the interaction among members of the same group responding to external (occur outside someone) and internal stimuli (occurs inside someone). Ex. eating at a restaurant
What influences our behaviour…
Family
Media
Culture
Family
It is the first force and it is the first group we interact with in our life, we learn and exhibit the values and acceptable behaviours. (a learning relationship) Parents teach their children so they know how to behave in their absence; social behaviours include interactions, customs, and rituals observed in the home.
Media
Creates new forms of human communications, and gives access to how others around the world live.
Culture
Cultural traditions may be simple or elaborate, involving complex symbols and values. Shaped by the history and laws of a country, what people watch or listen to. We view the rest of the world from our cultural perspective, and this can be influenced by more than one culture.
In order to thrive as members of society individuals must learn to think and act as others do in their society; this process by which a person learns the behavioural patterns, skills and values of their society called socialisation
This occurs in every culture; the values and norms of each society may differ but the process of socialization is the same
We must learn: Basic skills, social accepted goals, roles and behaviours
There are 4 categories of socialization:
Primary socialization
The process of learning the basic skills needed to survive in society. Examples being eating with utensils, hygiene, how to dress.
Secondary socialization
The process of learning how to behave appropriately. Example being at school or church.
Anticipatory socialization
The process of learning how to plan the way to behave in new situations. Example being using your prior knowledge about a certain social setting, you should be able to think ahead and anticipate what type of clothing, language or behaviour would be appropriate.
Resocialization
The process by which old behaviour, or negative is transformed into new or socially accepted behaviour. Example being a criminal released from prison is given the opportunity to practice new behaviour.
Abnormal socialization? If a child faces the wrong socialization process, they most likely will need to be resocialized.
Abnormal Socialization
Definition: Abnormal socialization refers to the process of learning and internalizing behaviors, beliefs, and norms that deviate significantly from societal expectations and cultural norms.
Causes:
Family Dynamics: Dysfunctional family environments, neglect, abuse, or overprotection can lead to abnormal socialization.
Peer Influence: Negative peer relationships, bullying, or social exclusion can impact socialization.
Media Influence: Exposure to violent or inappropriate content in media can distort socialization.
Effects:
Social Isolation: Difficulty in forming and maintaining relationships.
Behavioral Issues: Aggression, impulsivity, or antisocial behavior.
Mental Health Problems: Anxiety, depression, or personality disorders.
Interventions:
Therapy: Cognitive-behavioral therapy or family therapy can help address maladaptive socialization patterns.
Social Skills Training: Learning appropriate social behaviors and communication skills.
Support Groups: Providing a sense of community and understanding for individuals with abnormal socialization.
Prevention:
Early Intervention: Identifying and addressing socialization issues in childhood.
Promoting Healthy Relationships: Encouraging positive social interactions and role modeling healthy behaviors.
Education: Teaching empathy, conflict resolution, and emotional regulation skills.
Agents of Socialization
Definition: Agents or institutions that play a crucial role in shaping an individual's beliefs, values, behavior, and social identity.
Types:
Family: Primary agent, teaches norms, values, and social skills.
School: Teaches formal education, social norms, and interaction with peers.
Peers: Influence behavior, attitudes, and social activities.
Media: Shapes opinions, values, and perceptions through various forms of media.
Religion: Imparts beliefs, moral values, and practices.
Government: Influences through laws, policies, and civic duties.
Impact:
Identity Formation: Helps individuals develop a sense of self and belonging.
Socialization: Teaches societal norms, values, and expectations.
Behavioral Patterns: Shapes behavior, attitudes, and interactions.
Cultural Transmission: Passes on traditions, beliefs, and practices from one generation to another.
Challenges:
Social Inequality: Differential access to agents can lead to disparities in socialization.
Media Influence: Misinformation and biased representation can impact beliefs and values.
Changing Dynamics: Shifts in societal norms and technological advancements influence socialization processes.
Conclusion: Agents of socialization are essential in shaping individuals and society, highlighting the importance of understanding their roles and impacts for effective social development.
30-35% of people will say the wrong answer
Milgram Experiment
Stanley Milgram was a social psychologist who is best known for his experiment conducted on obedience in the 1960s
Influenced by the Holocaust and the trail of Adolf Eichmann, a Nazi official on trial for war crimes
During his trial when asked why he committed such atrocities against, he sued the excuse “because I was told to”
Milgram wanted to investigate if being told to do something by a higher authority would cause an individual to go against their own morality
Experiment Players:
(Confederate) The experimenter “pretending to be conducting an experiment on learner and punisher
(Confederate) The student/learner “who will receive ‘shocks’ for getting word pair questions incorrect
(Naive participant) The teacher ‘who will administer the shocks when the student is incorrect
Process:
Teacher would read out a word pair, if the student got it wrong they would administer a electric shock; though the moral status of the experiment seems clear, the participants kept shocking the student against their protest, and the simple reason for this is, because the experimenter, the one with a higher authority, told them to.
Solomon Asch & Line Experiment
Researcher: Solomon Asch, a Polish-American psychologist, conducted the Line Experiment in the 1950s.
Aim: To study conformity and the influence of group pressure on individual judgment.
Procedure: Participants were shown a line and asked to match it with three comparison lines. Confederates purposely gave incorrect answers.
Results: 75% of participants conformed at least once, giving the wrong answer to match the group.
Findings: Showed the power of conformity and the tendency of individuals to go along with the group, even if they knew the answer was incorrect.
Implications: Highlighted the importance of social influence and the impact of group pressure on decision-making.
Legacy: The study remains a classic in social psychology, influencing research on conformity, group dynamics, and decision-making.
Philip Zimbardo's Stanford Prison Experiment
Purpose: Conducted in 1971 to investigate the psychological effects of perceived power and authority in a simulated prison environment.
Method: Volunteers randomly assigned as guards or prisoners in a mock prison setting in the basement of Stanford University.
Findings:
Guards exhibited abusive behavior towards prisoners, leading to emotional distress and mental breakdowns.
Prisoners showed signs of extreme stress and helplessness, some even identifying with their roles.
Duration: Planned for two weeks but terminated after 6 days due to the escalating abuse and unethical conditions.
Ethical Concerns:
Lack of informed consent and protection of participants.
Zimbardo's role blurring the line between researcher and prison superintendent.
Impact:
Raised ethical concerns in psychology research.
Highlighted the power of situational factors in influencing behavior.
Criticism:
Lack of scientific rigor and generalizability.
Ethical violations and potential harm to participants.
Legacy:
Influenced understanding of obedience, authority, and the role of environment in shaping behavior.
Cautionary tale in research ethics and the importance of protecting participants.
Sociological School of Thought
Macro vs Micro
Macrosociology
An approach of sociology that analyse the social system & population on a larger scale
Concerned about studying society as a whole
Examine larger social institutions that individuals belong to, such as a country or place of worship
Microsociology
The study of small groups and individuals within a society
Interested in understanding the bases of social actions and interaction among individual members of society
Concerned with the role and interactions and individual or small group of people may have in society
STRUCTURAL FUNCTIONALISM - Herbert Spencer, Emile Durkhiem, Talcott Parson (macro theory)
States that a society is stable when social institutions (family, religion, education…) meet the needs of its citizens
All these institutions are interdependent and relate to the happiness and harmony of society
A change in one structure has a direct impact on other parts of society, to maintal balance individuals must be raised to play their role. That is the goal of institutions.
Essentially everyone has to work together to make society function, it must maintain an equilibrium
CONFLICT THEORY - Karl Marx (macro theory)
This is another major theory that looks at the role power plays in society and how it can be used to control others.
Key Ideas:
Society is organised into two groups of people, those with power and those without
Those with most/more power have the most wealth, prestige, access and privileges in society. And with these advantages they are able to limit those with less power, resulting in exploitation.
Society is constantly experiencing changes due to competition over (finite) resources. The best group is going to succeed.
Karl Marx believed concern over meeting survival needs is replaced by concern over making a profit, the hallmark of a capitalist system.
An example of this is minorities in society (whether it be race, gender, etc) that have been/are constantly oppressed which makes it difficult for them to elevate or change their circumstances.
SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM - Max Weber, Charles Cooley, George Mead, C Wright Mills (micro theory)
This is a micro theory that concentrates on how individuals attach meaning to situations and how it influences their behaviour.
Key Ideas:
Focuses on how the human mind intervenes between what we observe and how we act
The human mind is impacted by life experiences and personal events
Behaviour is based on people’s thoughts of themselves and other
We accept roles for ourselves in order to fit into the society we live
Early study - The Polish peasant in Europe and America by Thomas and Znaniecki (1918-1920) Followed new Polish immigrants to studied the personality and family pattern transformation from Poland to US
An example of this would be two people who respond differently to feedback that they receive (from a boss, friends, family). Or how two people in a relationship will argue on how to effectively discipline their child.
Feminist Theory
Examine gender inequality within areas such as jobs, finances, their bodies
Concluded that much of society is based on the male authority
Many female scholars were frustrated with the double standards they experience
Connection with the Women's Movement of the 1960’s - 70’s
Current research: gender in the context of race class, & sexuality
Major theorists: Dorthy Smith, Chandra Talpade Monhanry, Judith Stacey & MN Srinivas