M3. Explain why conformity and obedience are important in the public services, with reference to research studies. Conformity and obedience are forms of social influence which strongly affect our behaviour is social situations, from following fashions and unwritten social norms which organise our behaviour, to committing immoral acts because we are commanded to by someone who appears to be in a position of authority. This essay looks at the similarities and differences between the three, looking specifically at the factors that influence each two. Conformity within a group entails members changing their attitudes and beliefs in order to match those of others within the group.
The social needs are adaption, goal attainment, integration and pattern maintenance. Parsons calls these social prerequisites. Social equilibrium is the result of social institutions working effectively to meet these needs and produce social stability. Social institutions can also be studied in terms of the functions
Functionalists see society as a set of parts which work together to form a whole. Functionalism is also called a consensus theory. Marxism and functionalism are similar in that, they see the way society is structured as an important part in determining the way people have relationships and behave between themselves. This is known as structural perspective. Both functionalists and Marxists believe that people are portrayed as creature within the social system.
The phsycological dimensions of an individual affect the persons perception of the world that is around them in many differnet ways. An individuals psychological state determines how a person can function within the society and how they view their environment. The social dimensions of an individual affect how that individual interacts with other individuals in their environment. The few aspects work together to influence who a person is and grows in the world. Cultural competence is followed once we have learned about biopshycosocial behavior.
In the position as a student of sociology, I believe the Functionalist theory best describes society. The functionalist theory is viewed to sociologist as society to a living organism. Each part serves an important role in keeping society together. Many sociologist classify this theory as macro-level; large in scale. Including social institutions, a system of behavioral and relationship patterns, having specific roles to perform to make society.
There are two major aspects in regards to the sociological perspective, the first being interaction between social structure and an individual and the idea of two levels of analysis. When it comes to the interaction of social structure and the individual, sociologists tend to concentrate not so much on the characteristics of an individuals behavior but rather on the precedents that are collective amongst individuals in regards to society and groups around them. The key to grasping sociology comes from the inevitability and repetition, which are seen in customary social behaviors throughout society and individuals. Social structures are socially embodied in the actions, thoughts, beliefs, and long-lasting temperaments of individual human beings. The typical being often has a
Symbolic interactionism is considered a major framework of sociological theory. The perspective behind symbolic interactionism is that individuals rely heavily upon symbolic meanings in the process of social interactions. This theory analyzes society by addressing subjective meanings that people impose on objects, events and behaviors. Subjective meaning are given priority because many people behave based upon what they believe and what’s not objectively true. So in turn society is thought to be socially built based upon human interpretations.
Public Policy a.Define public policy. Public policy is both the written and unwritten laws of a society that suggest the moral, ethical and social behaviors of people (Capalli, 1997, p. 393). Some public policies are common understandings among a group of people that exist in a particular locale, while other public policies affect the whole of society within a certain nation. Public policies guide a society in the direction that the people believe that it should be headed. However, because economic and social factors are constantly changing within the social order, public policies change as well to meet the varying needs and goals of the people.
Assess the strengths and weaknesses of the functionalist approach to society...(33 marks) Functionalism is a macro, consensus theory. They see human behaviour as being influenced by social forces, because it is a macro-scale approach is therefore seen as a strength as it allows functionalist sociologists to observe society, and its institutions, as a whole. Functionalists argue that, individuals are socialised into a shared value which is also known as a value consensus to ensure conformity and social order. However, this functionalists approach is criticised by action theorists, as they argue that individuals create society through their interactions. Marxists may argue that these norms and beliefs are all in interest of the Bourgeoisie and they can prevent or make change by ideological manipulation or force.
Now you would feel left out and you wouldn’t hang out with those friends anymore and it comes to the point that you’d reconsider your stance of the matter to join them. Social influence takes a really big role in our modern society and it is one of the main factors on how we behave a certain way. It shows us in what way we are not fitting in to those around us including our family. Some of these influences might ruin your own personal behaviours, emotions or opinions regarding your personal life. Social influence involves/includes the study of conformity, compliance and it also involves a bit of obedience.