Discussion Post: Sociology
Part I
i. Explain what the viewpoint of a sociologist who is influenced by the structural-functional approach has in common with that of a sociologist influenced by the social-conflict approach. That is, how are they both sociological? At the same time, how does each represent a different assumption about the nature of the society?
ii. Examine and write about the differences among the three theoretical approaches by applying each to the concept of "the family". How can we understand thefamilyas an institution and its operation through each of our theoretical perspectives?
Part II
i. Why do you think the ASA crafted such a detailed set of ethical principles? What type of study could put human participants at risk? Think of some examples of studies that might be harmful. Do you think that, in the name of sociology, some researchers might be tempted to cross boundaries that threaten human rights? Why?
ii. What type of data do surveys gather? For what topics would surveys be the best research method? What drawbacks might you expect to encounter when using a survey? To explore further, ask a research question and write a hypothesis. Then create a survey of three or more questions relevant to the topic. Provide a rationale for your questions.
Part III
i. What is the difference between ideal culture and real culture? Where does ideal culture come from? How do we learn about ideal culture? What are some of the circumstances that might cause individual behavior to deviate from ideal culture? Provide a detailed example.
ii. Assess the idea that there is no single way of life that is "natural" for humanity, and what comes "naturally" to our species is the creation of culture, but not its content. How do cultural universals impact this idea?
Part IV
i. Explain Erving Goffman's theory of dramaturgy. From this point of view, explain how we engage in impression management. How do you engage in impression management in some of your interactions? Are you ever truly able to engage in what Goffman called backstage behavior?
ii. Think of how Marx theorized workers as being alienated through capitalist labor (specifically, from the product, the process, from other laborers, and from themselves). How can these four types of alienation be applied to students and their educations? In other words, how are you alienated from the product of your education, the process of your education, from other students, and from yourself as a student?
Part V
i. How is family central to the process of socialization? Provide a couple of examples. Is the family's role in socialization changing? If so, what parts of social learning are affected, and what other agents of socialization have stepped in to provide those elements of socialization (think daycare centers, schools, media, or religious organizations)?
ii. Consider a person who is going to college for the first time. How is the process the student goes through a form of socialization? What type of socialization is this, and how does it differ from the socialization we experience as children? What are some new norms a student must adapt to? What factors might make these new norms and values easier for a student to adjust to (or more difficult)?
Part VI
i. How has technology impacted your primary and secondary groups? Do you believe that someone, like Allison Levy, can have a true primary group made up of people she has never met? Why, or why not?Should we rethink the definitions of primary and secondary groups to account for online relationships?
ii. What does the research by Solomon Asch and Stanley Milgram show us about the ability of social groups to affect the opinions and behavior of group members? Assess these effects from two of our three major theoretical perspectives (Functionalism, Conflict, or Symbolic Interactionism).
The response must include a reference list. Using Times New Roman 12 pnt font, double-space, one-inch margins, and APA style of writing and citation.