BASIC SOCIOLOGY 101

Posted on December 8, 2017 by joelsnell99

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SOCIOLOGY 101

Posted on October 22, 2017 by joelsnell99

A PRIMER OF BASIC SOCIOLOGY

Abstract

This discussion of the field of sociology is probably over simplified. Most only have a

vague idea of what constitutes the discipline. Thus it is subject to controversy. The

author’s response is this is a place to begin. So sociology is the study of the

interaction within a group from two actors to the entire society.

Founders

Although areas like sociology go back to very early times, it became more important

during the 19th century. Comte named the field. Marx contributed a left wing version

and Spencer a right of center version.

Theories

There are three major theories. They are: functionalism (society is like an organism)

conflict (people struggle for power and privilege) interactionism ( members of the

society prefer or fight for one meaning over another.)

Basics

A group of two that are not or not strangers are the beginning of a group. The group

continues upward and outward until there is an entire society that is analyzed.

Small groups

Socialization means that as an individual comes into a society, it is painful vaginal

entry and then the individual is taught through verbal and non-verbal communication

there place in a small group and then larger groups. The individual is not passive and

may sometime change a society considerably alone and with others.

Status is the name for a position in a group. Status inconsistency is that actor holds

two or more positions of which both positions create a situation that comprises the

individual. Ascribed status is the position that one becomes a member into the group.

Achieved status is that which one earns later in the history of the group. Master status

means that this is the most important statuses of the many one holds .From a related

field Alpha is the leader. Beta is the followers. Omega or the Stigmatized Other has

been pushed down from power or pushed out.

Role is the behavior attached to a position expected of an actor. Role Overload is that

a person has too many responsibilities. Role strain means that an individual cannot

fulfill successfully that which is expected. Role Conflict the individual have demands

made of them and responsibilities which conflict with each other. Role Ambiguity

means that the individual does not understand the limits and rewards of the behavior

in that group.

Norms are the rules of the group. There are various levels of rules and some are

tolerated and others are considered criminal. Culture is the beliefs (where one starts)

and values (what is right and wrong.) Subcultures emerge that vary from what might

be the overall vales of the widest point of the culture. Thus the whole on balance is

thought to be greater than the sum of the parts.

Society

Means of production

Individuals join a group of groups. The earliest form is hunting of which males and

non-pregnant females search for animals other females and children gather nonpoisonous

wild plants and animals. Hoe culture is based on hoeing small gardens to

grow non-poisonous plants .Plow culture means that big animals are socialized

(domesticated). These bigger animals plow larger plots to grow food. The agricultural

society indicates that farming is the most important activity. Goods become mass

produced and make the industrial society generally into one society. Post industrial

global society goods and services are produced by a compilation of countries

Social Structure

A country made up of towns and villages is a “community” nation and those of cities,

suburbs and corporate farms is called “association/urban” country. The countries are

connected by air, water, and rail along with communications system.

The established rich have at least three generations of money and power. The new

rich have made a great deal in their own life time. The upper middle class is generally

made up of professions. The lower middle class have inside and clerical work. The

blue collar does outside work and essentially builds the society. The cyclical working

poor are poor only during bad economic times. The structural non-working poor are

power regardless of the economic times.

As the society emerges many individuals form families. This is an informal

association, in that emotional bonds are formed. Informal association is generally for

non-contractual and voluntary efforts. Formal associations are corporations, and

other business relationships. Written contracts are generally used.

Most societies at this time are not democracies. Authoritarian and totalitarian

predominate.

Social Change

Change appears to be ongoing. Social change comes from both social and

technological changes. When tension mounts riots, unrest, and related appear. Civil

wars can happen and other changes actually improve with social change.

Sociology

The field often works with others to study or make changes in a society. There are

two that really seem promising. Social psychology and social neuroscience. The first

brings together sociology and psychology and the second the first two join with

biology’biochemistry.

We have only just begun.

Prof. Joel C. Snell

Kirkwood College