Ethnocentrism is the way an individual look at the world from his/her own beliefs in their culture. They feel that their culture, race, or ethnic group is more significant and that their culture is more superior than any other culture of other groups. In feeling this way the individuals will judge other groups, such as their behavior, the language in which they use, religion. How it could be detrimental to society is that it could lead to false speculation about the differences in cultures. It leads to society making premature judgments about other cultures, not knowing all the facts about another culture.
Merton’s approach explains how both normal and deviant behaviour can stem from the same goals, however it clearly ignores the power of the ruling class to make and enforce laws, and is too deterministic as not all working class people deviate. A.K Cohen alternatively disagrees with the majority of the strain theory as he states deviance is an individual not group response to strain, and believes Merton only focuses on utilitarian crimes and not crimes with no economic motives. Cohen suggests working class boys are the anomie in the middle class education system, and as they lack the skills to achieve they develop status frustration and therefore group together with those of a similar mind-set which creates a subculture. A.K Cohens view overall does not support the suggestion that crime and deviance are
Living in a society (the United States) where the opposite happens puts your mind in very different type of perspective. The film showed that western views on economics and wealth have created a society of strangers. The Weyewa and Gabra created economies where there is dependency on the stranger. Here social relationships are most important during all interactions. Although these ideas are in contrast to the capitalist society, I think much can be learned from both methods.
122 As a process, gender creates the social differences that define “woman” and “man.” In social interaction throughout their lives, individuals learn what is expected, see what is expected, act and react in expected ways, and thus simultaneously construct and maintain the gender order pg. 123 As part of a stratification system, gender ranks men above women of the same race and class pg. 123 The dominant categories are the hegemonic ideals, taken so for granted as the way things should be that white is not ordinarily thought of as race, middle class or men as a gender. The characteristics of these categories define the Other as that which lacks the valuable qualities the dominants exhibit. Pg.
The association between appearance and social acceptance is already apparent in our lives. In order to achieve societal norm we wish to look and act like our peers, and as a result censorship in appearance has become a common example of submission today. In Fahrenheit 451, Montag realizes that a major part of being socially accepted as a fireman is to conform through appearance. Montag observes this fact while there are countless examples of conformity through appearance in our society. The belief that physical beauty is more valuable than intelligence is a very common habit throughout the world especially in
King notes, “Any law that uplifts human personality is just. Any law that degrades human personality is unjust. All segregation statutes are unjust because segregation distorts the soul and damages the personality” (King 8). Basically, King is saying that there are two types of laws that society use. One law is considered just because it favors the human beings personality and elevates him morally, while the other law is considered unjust because it demeans human personality.
Brooks is correct when he writes diversity begins within the individual. America has become synonym with diversity, but Diversity is the America’s strength. People from all over the world come here because they see a nation where anyone can exist and live peacefully. The beliefs, customs, and morals they bring with them influence our nation to change for the better and help create a better world. As Brooks mention in his essay, the segmentation of the society divide the country.
It is important to keep a balance of the important things in one’s life otherwise, weaknesses can be developed that shadows over a person’s natural strength to prioritize. A balance of the important things in one’s life is what allows personal success to be achieved. Successfulness is the ability to seize new opportunities and explore new paths in life. Balance is the key to success because when there is balance in one’s life there is a cut back of stress, which makes room for the ability to thrive; and a person’s ability to thrive is what carries them to their personal success. To be successful is to understand what is important to you, to recognize your weaknesses without hiding behind them, to strive for balance as well as open new doors in life.
Affirmative action also gives preferential treatment to minorities because they are discriminated against by the normal operations of a society. The social system of today’s society is designed to keep the rich up and the poor down. “This covert act committed collectively against an entire group is called
They also wore the same gowns - Zimbardo says: being in a large group lessens our awareness of our individuality. You’re faceless and you feel reduced guilt. - He also says: Individual behaviour is rational and conforms to social norms. Deindividuated behaviour is based on primitive urges and doesn’t care about social norms. - Any aggression must have been due to deindividuation.