basic concepts of sociology

Basic Concepts of Sociology : 

Basic Concepts of Sociology

What is sociology? : 

What is sociology? Sociology: The scientific study of human social systems Purpose: Use theories & methods of science to help people create groups, organizations, and societies that are: Safe Efficient Offer equal access to all resources

Culture : 

Culture Culture: Material & nonmaterial aspects of a way of life It is shared among members of a social system Refers to: Manners and images Speech Dress Customs Laws Value systems Everyday behavior

Slide 5: 

What are some examples that distinguish American culture from other cultures throughout the world? What are some examples of Minnesotan culture that distinguish it from other Americans? What are some examples that distinguish teenage culture from other age groups?

Socialization : 

Socialization Socialization: The process in which an individual’s personality is shaped Your personality is flexible, and can go through significant changes throughout your life Childhood Socialization: Has great impact on our values and behaviors as adults As adults we can alter ourselves to fit: New environments Demands of growing older Filling new roles Changing our beliefs

Slide 7: 

What are some important ways your parents or guardians have influenced the way you think and behave today? Have there been some significant events in your life that have had a big impact on your personality?

Role, Status, Social Class : 

Role, Status, Social Class Role: A pattern of social behavior associated with a status Status: A distinctive social position of an individual or group relative to others in society Social Class: An abstract category of persons typically arranged in hierarchical levels according to: Power Prestige Wealth The sociological perspective defines people individuals with respect to the positions they hold in a social system, tasks associated with these positions, and the opportunities for mobility within the social arrangement

Ascribed & Achieved Characteristics : 

Ascribed & Achieved Characteristics Ascribed Characteristics: Personal traits that we are born with Achieved Characteristics: Personal traits acquired through your own effort

Slide 11: 

What are four statuses you occupy? What are the roles you enact as a person who holds each of these statuses? Have your ascribed characteristics affected the statuses you hold now? Will they affect your efforts for upward mobility? How are you changing your achieved characteristics?

Groups & Organizations : 

Groups & Organizations Group: Collection of people in communication with each other, together geographically, with common goals Primary Groups: Small in size, informal nature, face to face relationships (your family) Secondary Groups: Large in size, formal in nature, impersonal relationships (Vikings fans)

Organizations : 

Organizations Organizations: Collections of people bound together by common interests and goals Traits of organizations Formal rules of authority Rely on formal and informal communication Individuals can be defined with respect to their memberships in groups and organizations