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Sociological Imagination Activity 1
Introduction to sociology
Sociology is the study of human relationships, society, and values. Sociology has two different levels. Micro-level and macro-level. Micro-level sociology pays attention to small-scale interaction while macro-level sociology looks at large scale social processes, e.g., socio stability. Compte Auguste first used sociology in the 1830s. His central idea was to propose a synthetic science that units all understanding about human activities. Sociology becomes a separate disciple of academics by its establishment of the European department of sociology in 1985 at Bordeaux. A theory is social interaction; therefore, Sociology theory was used to explain social interaction, patterns, and social events. Studying sociology has benefits for both society and individuals.
Groups and Bureaucracy
There are two types of sociological grouping primary groups: a small group whose members share a personal, close, and enduring relationship. A secondary group is a large group whose relationship is goal oriented. The primary group has an in-group while the second group has an out-group as a subtype. In case one does not fit in a group, he/she can use conformity, which helps change the belief of someone to fit in a group. However, in the grouping, we have leadership with four types of leadership styles, i.e., direct, coach, support, and delegate. There are three types of organization, i.e., practical, coercive, and normative. The organization can be inefficient when it has a bureaucracy that is opposing and inefficient.
Race and Ethnicity
The race is linked with hair or skin color’s biology and physical characteristics, while ethnicity is linked with identification and cultural expression. Race/ethnicity, age, and sex/gender are defined as the dominant group, while minority groups are subordinate and lack power in society. However, the human race and ethnics face discrimination of age, language, race, religion, and caste. To counter discrimination, sociologists have developed three major sociological perspectives: interactionism, conflict theory, and functionalism. Because society is diverse, the intergroup hostility can arise due to a feeling of discrimination and prejudice.
Sex and Gender
Sex are characteristics that are biologically defined, while gender is a socially constructed features. Gender identity is a personal conception as a male or female. On gender, there are special cases where people are transgender, transsexual, and homosexual. The conception is intimately related to gender roles. On the same note, society can influence socialization as far as gender roles are concerned, i.e., It occurs through major agents’ family, peer groups, mass media, and education. Our society is facing gender inequality, where men and women are not given equal chances. Based on gender and sexuality, sociologists developed theoretical perspectives that study how sexuality plays a crucial role today.
Media
Technological evolution is a radical transformation of technological development in society. Technology has provided an upper hand in its advertisement role; People can create awareness of their products through radios, newspapers, and television. However, theoretical perspectives on technology and media; they are based on functionality, which contains commercial functions, entertainment function, and social norm function. Media plays many roles in society.
Social Movements.
There are three primary forms of collective behavior, i.e., crowd, the mass, and public; besides, there are different types of crowds distinguished by scholars, i.e., casual crowd, conventional crowd, expressive crowd, and acting crowds. People can locomote from one place to another; however, there are different movements based on how much a movement is advocating. The social movement can be formative, revolutionary redemptive, or reformative. Besides, a movement can be radical or reform
Scientific Methods and Study types
Scientific methods are procedures, observation, and experiments that are done systematically. For a scientific method to be valid and reliable, it must evaluate the quality of research. Other research uses different methods; however, the research methods are used by people to understand the effectiveness of a study.
Evolution of Societies.
In modern society, technology affects the way people learn, think, and communicate. Technology helps people to engage with better materials that they can learn. Based on Durkheim’s functionality, he says the society sometimes happens to flow the system or disrupt the order.
Culture and its components
Culture represents the practice and beliefs of a group, whereas society shares people’s beliefs and practices. The society has values which provide general guidelines and norms, which are specific. However, we have other types of culture like pop culture, which helps understand globalization in cultural change and the role of cultural lag.
Government and Politics
The government has three legitimate authority, i.e., rational-legal authority, traditional authority, and charismatic authority. However, people in authority are elected or appointed by the people through direct democracy. People directly decide on policy and indirect democracy, which elected leader decides on behalf of other people.
Where do we get our ideas?
Sociological theories focus on factors outside an individual, while psychological theories concern with looking for answers within an individual. In as much as we talk about sociological and psychological theories, it’s important to understand socialization both for society and individuals. Besides, we should learn the roles and peer groups and families as far as socialization is concerned.