If a member of the group fails to conform to the groups needs, he/she would lose credibility with the rest of the group. Conformity is a change in an individuals behaviour according to certain accepted standards within society as well as the influence of others whether this be a real or imaginary influence. There are 2 key concepts of conformity, acceptance or
Cecile Rhodes believes the reason for imperialism is the different races. He believes that the Britons must inhabit the world, and that it would be better for the human race. This is racism in the sense that Rhodes believes the Britons are better than everybody else. Document 7 also refers to racism because, The President,
Both types of social control are effective in controlling the behavior of individuals. I believe that formal social control keeps society together. The legal system gives people boundaries and creates a system of what is wrong and what is right. Moreover, Tribunal provides a means of checking whether those laws reflect the majority of society. Therefore the law exists to maintain social unity.
Considering the opinions of others can be used as a tool to assess the accuracy of our own conclusions. We conform because we consider that others may have correct data. Normative social influence can also cause conformity. When we are exposed to this type of social influence we mirror the conduct of others in the same situation because it is believed to be the proper normal behavior. Human beings in general do not like standing out from a crowd or feelings of rejection; so, although we logically consider the circumstance, we also are motivated to behave a
Why do people conform? Explanations(theories of conformity) There are two type of social influence. One of it is normative social influence, it is based on our desire to be liked. We conform because we want to be appear ‘normal’ and we think that others will approve of and accept us. Going against the majority might lead to exclusion or rejection from the group.
Emile Durkheim a sociologist from France was the most influential functionalist of his time. In the twentieth century the theory was developed further in America by sociologists such as Talcott Parsons. During the 1940’s and 1950’s this theory was the most dominant perspective on how societies function, but was to lose its validity from the 1960’s onward, when it was criticised as being not general to the majority populous. Also at this time there were competing perspectives emerging that seemed to provide superior explanations on society. When functionalists describe society, they will often liken it to the human body, where all of the parts need to work in unison to ensure well being.
These reactions, whether positive or negative, lead us to make decisions that are more conformed to those in our environment, show us right from wrong, give us a standard to live by. Formal social controls are the rules, regulations and laws that are set and enforced by the criminal justice system. Laws are set in place so that as a whole, the society has structure. When a man drives his vehicle away from his home, he is conforming
The cultural aspect of the sociological imagination involves the “learned ideas, values, knowledge, rules and customs shared by members of a collectivity” (Holmes et al, 2003, pg 11). Culture in the sociological imagination allows the comprehension of why people hold certain ideas and values, and follows certain rules and customs. The critical aspect of the sociological imagination stipulates the initiative to analyze. Although it is, by human nature, to assume the meaning of actions carried out by people, C. Wright Mills claims that assumptions are not enough. Through assumptions, many things are taken for granted and the true meaning is not revealed.
Functionalists believe that society is held together by social consensus or cohesion, in which members of the society agree upon, and work together to achieve what is best for the community as a whole. In education, the functionalist view proves that society’s values and expectations are reflected in the system, and social norms are simply learned through interaction with teachers and peers. Functionalism has received criticism for neglecting the negative functions of an event such as divorce. Critics also claim that the perspective justifies the status quo and complacency on the part of society's members. Functionalism does not encourage people to take an active role in changing their social environment, even when such change may benefit them.
[11] 5-8 Answers that are limited solely or mainly to a sound account of the functionalist theory of socialisation would merit the lower part of this band. Higher in the band other theories of socialisation may feature alongside or in place of the functionalist theory. Answers may tend to assume that socialisation is a key factor in shaping human behaviour rather than attempting to demonstrate this point explicitly and/or to challenge it in some way. If there is any explicit assessment, it may be carried through a simple account of the cases of so-called feral children.