Socioeconomic class along with stratification have meaning only because of social psychology within the individual (Schaefer, 2011) and when motivating a group that surrounds an individual this is called conformity (kowalski & Westen. 2011) One might take part in the social strategy of blaming the victim when justifying an action. When considering conformity this can backfire if the out-group vises impose upon a person who is seeking to fit into a group. An example of this type of conformity happens considering bigoted lines of religion or race. However, one must assume that the environment is diverse then one will seek a group to join or follow a model.
Many sociologists have studied the role of education and argued that the education helps its members in ways such as language and academic skills. Emile Durkheim the founder of functionalist sociology identified two main functions of education. These were the role of social solidarity and how schools teach specialist skills. Firstly Durkheim argued the role of social solidarity this is that the individual members must feel themselves part of a single body or community. He argues that without social solidarity, social life would be impossible as everyone would pursue their own selfish desires and not work together to get what they want out of life.
Assess the impact of state policies and laws on family life. Initially, the government’s aim of state policies and laws was to help and support family life, especially those families who are struggling the most. Some sociologists like functionalists argue that state policies and laws are good as they help the family perform its functions. Others like Marxists and Feminists say that state policies and laws are a bad impact on family life because they help a bad society develop. The New Right also believe that they only encourage diversity in family types and therefore are bad for society.
Theories and Perspectives in Sociology, Understanding sociological Theory In the study of how society works, sociologists use theories, to help explain human behaviour. Within sociology, there are several theories and perspectives used to do this. These are divided into three main theories structural functional, Conflict and social action theory. The social action theory is micro a study of society, this theory looks at individual’s behaviour and how individuals interact with each other. As stated in Giddens, sociologists who support this theory see individuals as not created by society but as the creators of society.
Using materials from item 2B and elsewhere, assess sociological views of the impact of government policies and laws on family life. Social policies are laws and actions taken on my other governing bodies, such as welfare systems or schools, which gives societies its rules and structure. It is true that these social policies must have an impact on aspects of life including family life for members of that society however sociologists often disagree on what this impact is. Therefore by looking at a range of different sociological views we can get a picture of how social policies and their effect on society are perceived differently and which opinions hold most relevance to family life today. As we can see in item 2B a feminist sociological thinker believes that ‘social policies assume the ideal family is the patriarchal nuclear family’ and this sort of family is favoured by government policies and laws.
The Promise C. WRIGHT MILLS People are often quick to blame others for their misfortunes. However, C. Wright Mills argues that the only way to truly understand people’s behavior is to examine the social context in which the behavior occurs. In other words, Mills believes that we need a quality of mind that he calls the sociological imagination. By using sociological imagination, we learn how social, historical, cultural, economic, and political factors influence the choices that people make and the ways in which they live their lives. As you read this article, think about how the larger social context has shaped your own choices over the course of your life.
Sociology 331 notes January 25, 2014 * Why study social movements? * Sociology tries to account for social change and maintence of social order. * Social movements strives to change society ( or resist change) * Social movements can give insight into human motivation and the possibilities and limits of cooperation. * Social movements include religion, political as well as many others. Helps understand the history of the world and how it changes.
How do selected sociological ideas help to explain social inequality? Since the beginning of time individuals have labelled and categorised one another spawning prejudices and social divisions. The social stigma associated with ‘lesser’ communities has robbed many of its individuals of the freedom, rights and opportunities that others experience. Gender, ethnicity, education and religion are only a fraction of a multitude of factors that have fuelled this social inequity. It is important, however, to note that social equity is not about achieving equal ways of living but about ensuring that people have equal opportunities.
The Labeling Theory Why do some adolescents act the way they do? Were we taught by our role models to do as they do or did we just earn a title and become what we never expected to be? Some sociologists such as, Howard S. Becker, have viewed the sides of the rule-breaker, rule-maker, and the rule-abiders. Becker has his own opinions and theories along with all the research and studies he has accomplished to back up his ideas. There are other sociologists and parents who have an opinion on people getting labeled.
Karl Marx was a social theorist from the twentieth century, and he alleges that cause and effect are one of the most social actions that motivate us. He believed that research would help with the explanation of social phenomenon, and so could the non-empirical methods. He also believed that “society could be studied through the meaning and purpose that people attach to actions” (Vissing, 2011, p. 1.3). Karl Marx, in 1818-1883, developed the conflict theory and “argued that it is tension and conflict that motivate us to think and act differently” (Vissing, 2011, p. 1.3). Karl Marx.