SOCI 411

Page 1: Exam 2 Attitudes: Article Analysis

Ethical Issues in the Past

• Robbers Cave Experiment: Conducted by Muzafer Sherif.

  • Lack of real consent from participants.

  • Participants were not allowed to leave the study.

  • Experimenter intervention influenced outcomes.

  • Confirmation bias present.

  • Mistreatment of participants cited.

  • Prior failed attempts were not reported.

  • Supports Realistic Conflict Theory.

Ethical Dilemmas Today

• Covert Research: Involves undercover research, raising issues around deception for research purposes.

  • Importance of cover story and disclosure.

  • Conflicts of Interest: Questioning the motivations driving research, including political influences.

Article Analysis

Summary of Studies

1. Study 1: Conducted via telephone survey.

   • Self-reports regarding motivations for energy conservation.

   • Factors influencing motivations: environmental protection, societal benefits, personal savings, and social influence.

   • Findings: Beliefs about neighbors conserving energy influenced self-reported conservation behaviors.

2. Study 2: Targeted households in California with door hangers containing information about energy conservation.

   • Key themes: environmental protection, community conservation norms, and financial savings.

   • Interventions: Encouraged practices like:

     • Shorter showers.

     • Turning off lights.

     • Switching off AC at night.

     • Using fans instead of AC.

   • Survey Findings: Descriptive norms rated least influential, while environmental and social motivations were higher.

   • Measure of actual energy use showed lower usage in the descriptive norm group.

Page 2: Energy Conservation Hypothesis and Data Analysis

Hypothesis

• Perspective informed by Symbolic Interaction, Social Structure and Personality, and Group Processes.

• Potential for listing specific theories related to findings.

Data Details

• Sample: Over 800 surveys collected from California homeowners.

• Methods:

  • Data collection through surveys.

  • Data analysis methodologies to be summarized further:

    • Evaluation of results.

    • Conviction or doubt over study results.

    • Discussion of alternative study setups and applications of similar research questions.

Theoretical Frameworks

• Thomas Theorem: "If men define situations as real, they are real in their consequences." Examines the social constructs.

• Examples include countries, state borders, and social constructs like weekends.

Page 3: Symbolic Interactionism and Identity Theory

Herbert George Blumer's Contribution

• Coined term symbolic interactionism in 1937.

• Defined three principles:

  1. Shared nature distinguished by social differences; secured through language and self-awareness.

  2. Social conformity in behavior.

  3. Self-regulation in human conduct.

Principle Analysis

1. Human Nature: Mind allows manipulation of symbols; importance of language.

   • Example: Absence of symbols in isolation leads to lack of self-concept.

2. Social Order: Self-interest influences behavior; social interaction guides orderly conduct.

3. Self-Regulation: Sense of self arises from social interactions; symbols carry meaning cross-culturally.

Learning through Interaction

• Looking Glass Self: Self-evaluation based on perceptions of others’ reactions.

Page 4: Role-Taking and Interaction

Importance of Role-Taking

• Understanding behaviors and emotions through others' perspectives; essential for societal function.

• Distinction between Play (individual expectations) and Game (group expectations).

• Engagement of Generalized Other to navigate societal norms.

Structural Symbolic Interactionism

• Examines how social structures, like class and race, shape identity and interactions.

• Identity Theory: Explores management of identities and shared meanings.

Page 5: Identity Dynamics and Stress

Identity Complexity

• Multiple Identities: Can create stress when conflicting demands arise.

• Identity Verification: Aligning how others perceive us with our self-perception influences emotional well-being.

Responses to Identity Non-Verification

• Cognitive Responses: Include selective perception and devaluing feedback.

• Behavioral Responses: Adjusting behavior based on verification feedback; applying neutralization techniques.

• Emotional Responses: Verification leads to positive emotions; non-verification linked to negative emotions.

Page 6: Exploring Deviance and Labeling Theory

Nature of Deviance

• Definition: Deviance involves actions against social norms.

• Social Construction: Deviance is not inherent but defined through societal reactions and perceptions.

Labeling Theory

• Consequences of being labeled as deviant impact self-concept and opportunities.

• Master Status: A label that dominates personal identity and societal perception.

Social Constructs of Deviance

• Deviance varies by interactions; societal feedback leads to labeling and further marginalized behaviors.

Page 7+: Continuity of Themes and Additional Analysis

• Further exploration on topics of role theory, intersectionality within criminalization, and methodologies for studying deviant behavior.

• Examination of larger societal trends in relation to deviance and mental health—specifically, impacts stemming from COVID-19.