SOC 170 Notes

SOC 170 Humanities

• Definition: The non-scientific study of the human experience.

  • Non-scientific implies that aspects cannot be proven or disproven as they are opinion-based.

  • Rooted in human aspects.

• Subjects Considered Humanities: Art, Music, Philosophy, Drama, Literature, Poetry.

  • Importance of studying humanities: Enrich life experience.

  • Quote: "The unexamined life is not worth living." - Socrates.

  • Suggestion: Appreciate art by visiting world-class museums in Manhattan.

Pre-Science Authority Figures

• Sources for Answers Before Science:

  1. The Church/Religion: Connection to a higher power.

  2. Elders: Wisdom gained through experience.

  3. Tradition: Following historical practices.

Scientific Revolution

• Scientific Method Formation: Provides a structured approach to study.

• Natural Sciences:

  • Definition: Orderly examination of the natural world using the scientific method.

  • Subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Physical Sciences, Lab Sciences.

  • Characteristics:

    1. Laws

    2. Causation

• Comte's Contribution: Adapted the scientific method for the social world thereby initiating Social Sciences.

Social Sciences

• Definition: Orderly examination of the social world through scientific methods.

• Subjects: Sociology, Psychology, Anthropology, Criminology, History, Political Science.

• Characteristics:

  1. Theory

  2. Correlation (connection)

• Applied Sociology Example: Broken Windows Theory by Kelling & Wilson led to campaigns that significantly reduced crime rates.

Natural Sciences vs. Social Sciences

• Case Study: Joel Rifkin

  • Notorious serial killer from Nassau County.

  • Arrested due to traffic violation; received 203-year sentence.

  • Contributes to science, noting high IQ and underdeveloped frontal lobe linked to impulse control.

  • Discussion on his victim selection and comparison to other killers like Son of Sam.

• Importance of Both Sciences: Understanding Rifkin requires both biological and social contexts, including environmental influences.

• Recommended Resource: New York Times Science Section published every Tuesday.

Science and the Scientific Method

• Key Features of Scientific Studies:

  1. Replication: Ability to repeat a study.

  2. Verification: Confirm results through studies.

• Contrast with Humanities: Humanities lack replication and verification, which underscores science's unique contributions to knowledge.

Purpose of Sociology Education

• Introduction to Sociology: Skills development beyond just facts.

• C. Wright Mills & Sociological Imagination: Enables understanding of interconnected societal aspects and the notion that nothing occurs in isolation.

New York State Department of Corrections Study

• Study Outcome: 75% of inmates belong to 7 NYC areas: Harlem, Lower East Side, South Jamaica, South Bronx, Brownsville, East New York, Bed Stuy.

• Sociological Imagination Application: Connects this data to other societal institutions like schools and families for a holistic view.

Ethics in Sociology

• Necessity of Ethical Standards: Essential in scientific practices to prevent misconduct.

• Known Bad Studies Due to Ethical Lapses:

  1. The Prison Study by Zimbardo

  2. The Obedience to Authority Study by Milgram

  3. Blue Eyes Brown Eyes Study by Jane Elliot

  4. The Tearoom Trade Study by Humphrey

  5. Tuskegee Syphilis Study

  6. Nazi Era Concentration Camps

• Good Studies: Examples of ethical studies that benefited society.

Prominent Studies in Sociology

1. Battered Woman's Syndrome (BWS) by Walker:

   • Mindset of victims: "Learned Helplessness" and cyclical abusive relationships.

2. Kitty Genovese Story:

   • Illustrates the bystander effect and societal apathy.

   • Promoted "If You See Something, Say Something" slogan post 9/11.

3. Baby Doll Study by the Clarks:

   • Demonstrated psychological effects of segregation on children.

   • Influential in Brown v. Board of Education case.

Overview of Sociology

• Definition: Scientific study of society, focusing on group behavior and human behavior within groups.

• Scientific Method in Sociology: Crucial for replicability and verification of results.

• Sociology vs. Natural Sciences:

  • Sociology employs theories instead of laws.

  • Two Categories of Sociology Theories:

    1. Mainstream Theories (e.g., Structural Functionalism by Parsons, Symbolic Interaction by Mead)

    2. Non-Mainstream Theories (e.g., Conflict Theory by Marx)

Studying Society

Theoretical Perspectives

1. Structural Functionalism Theory by Parsons: Society organizes around institutions providing specific functions (Family, Religion, Education, Government, Economy).

2. Symbolic Interaction Theory by Mead: Society interacts through shared symbols.

3. Conflict Theory by Marx: Society is characterized by conflicts over resources.

• Study Approaches:

  • Macro: Large-scale studies.

  • Micro: Individual or small-scale studies.

Socialization Process

• Definition: Lifelong process involving:

  1. Learning roles

  2. Developing a unique personality

  3. Building group culture

• Example: Socialization into gender roles.

Agents of Gender Socialization

1. Family

2. Schools

3. Religion

4. Media

5. Peer groups

• Impact of Toys on Gender Identity: e.g., Allegorical implications of dolls and cooking sets, promoting traditional roles.

Socio-Economic Status and Socialization

1. Travel Experience Differences:

   • Wealthy: Private jet travel.

   • Middle Class: Budget airlines.

   • Working Class: Bus travel.

2. Dining Experiences:

   • Wealthy: Focus on food appearance.

   • Middle Class: Emphasis on taste.

   • Lower Class: Concern for ample portions.

• Re-socialization: Adapting to new social environments (e.g., Military training).

• Reverse Socialization: Younger generations teaching older individuals new technologies.

Norms and Deviance in Society

• Norms: Informal rules guiding behavior in society. Examples include:

  • Opening doors for others.

  • Acknowledging drivers’ courtesy.

  • Eating pizza by hand.

• Mores: Informal moral rules; examples include past attitudes towards divorce or cohabitation.

• Laws: Formalized rules with enforcement mechanisms.

• Deviance: Examination of social norms violations and explanations thereof.

  • Early biological perspectives viewed deviance as inherent deficiencies (Lombroso's Atavistic Theories).

  • Psychological perspectives (Freud) suggest internal conflicts with ID, Ego, and Superego.

Theories of Deviance in Sociology

1. Differential Association Theory by Sutherland: Deviance learned through association with deviant groups.

2. Labeling Theory by Becker: The impact of societal labeling leading to further deviance.

3. Anomie Theory by Merton: Deviance as a response to inability to achieve societal goals like the American Dream.