1. An Introduction to Sociology

2. What is sociology???
Sociology is the social science that studies human society and social behavior.
Social Science – Disciplines that study human social behavior or institutions and functions of human society in a scientific manner
Social Interaction – How people relate to one another and influence each other’s behavior
Social Phenomena – Observable facts or events that involve human society

3. How is sociology different?
Anthropology – Comparing past/present cultures
Psychology – Behavior and thinking
Economics – Production/Consumption of goods and services
Political Science – Operation of government
History – Study of past events

4. What Is Culture? Culture – all the shared products of a human group
Material Culture
Nonmaterial Culture

5. Material Culture
Automobiles
Books
Buildings
Clothing
Computers

6. More Material Culture!

7. Nonmaterial Culture Beliefs Family Patterns Ideas Language
Political System
Economic System

8. Components of Culture Technology Symbols Language Values
Shared beliefs of good/bad and right/wrong

9. Norms
Norms – Shared rules of conduct that tell people how to act in specific situations
What social norms can you think of that exist in our society?
Mores – Norms that are widely observed and have great moral significance
Laws

10. Examining Culture
Cultural Trait – an individual tool, act, or belief that is related to a particular situation or need.
What are some cultural traits?
Examples
Using forks, knives, and spoons
Specific greetings (Boss, Teacher, Friend, Mom)

11. Culture Complexes
Individual cultural traits combine to form the next level…cultural complexes.
Cultural complexes – a cluster of interrelated traits.
Football is a culture complex that involves a variety or traits.

12. Football, a Culture Complex
Material Traits:
Helmets
Pads
First Aid Kits
Benches

13. Football, a Culture Complex
Specific Acts:
Passing
Catching
Running
Tackling

14. Football, a Culture Complex
Specific Beliefs:
Certain Rules Should Be Followed
Penalties Should Be Given

15. What Do We Have In Common?
Cultural Universals – features that are common to all cultures
Family
Funeral Ceremonies
Shelter
Dancing

16. More Cultural Universals
Religion
Sports
Myths and Folklore
Gift Giving
Body Adornment

17. Variations in Cultures
Ethnocentrism – the tendency to view one’s own culture and group as superior
Cultural Relativism – the belief that cultures should be judged by their own standards rather than applying the standards of another culture
In other words…KEEP AN OPEN MIND!

18. Countercultures
Counterculture – reject society’s norms and replaces them with their own
Hippies
Organized Crime Families
Anarchists

19. Traditional American Values
Although Americans are extremely different, for the most part we all share certain values
Sociologist Robin M. Williams analyzed American values and came up with a list of 15
What do you think of when someone says “traditional American values”?

20. Traditional American Values
Personal Achievement
Achievement often measured by power or wealth
Individualism
Individual effort is the key to personal achievement
Can be negative…failure = that person is to blame
Work
Americans value hard work

21. Traditional American Values
Morality and Humanitarianism
Helping those less fortunate (Haiti, Syria)
Efficiency and Practicality
Judge new technology on its usefulness
Progress and Material Comfort
Technology + Science = A more comfortable world

22. Traditional American Values
Equality and Democracy
“We hold these truths to be self-evident…”
Civil Rights Movement
Freedom
Freedom of religion, speech, bear arms
Patriotism
Pledge of allegiance, national holidays, 9/11

23. Our Changing Values
Choose one or more of the traditional American values we covered in class on Friday.
Why do you consider these values to be important?
Explain how this value does or does not differ from those of your elders? (Parent, Guardian, Teacher, Coach)

24. Our Changing Values
Self-fulfillment – a commitment to the full development of one’s personality, talents, and potential…think, self-help seminars
Leisure
Physical Fitness
Youthfulness
Does television, radio, and advertisements demonstrate and reflect these values?

25. More Changing Values Narcissism – Extreme self- centeredness
Is this a bad thing?
List the pros and cons
A rapidly changing American value
Environmental Protection

26. Internalization of Norms
Think back to last week…what are norms?
Norms – Shared rules of conduct that tell people how to act in specific situations
Societies develop norms that reflect the cultural values its members consider important
Enforced in two ways…internalization & sanctions

27. Internalization
Internalization is the process by which a norm becomes part of an individual’s personality
What do you do as soon as you sit down to eat at a restaurant?
What do you do as soon as the traffic signal turns red?

28. What are sanctions?
Sanctions - Rewards or punishments used to enforce conformity to norms
Positive Sanctions
Negative Sanctions
Formal Sanctions
Informal Sanctions

29. Positive Sanctions
Positive Sanction – An action that rewards a specific type of behavior
What are some examples of positive sanctions?
Good Grades
Pay Raises
Cheers

30. Negative Sanctions
Negative Sanction – Punishment or the threat of punishment used to enforce conformity
Is the threat usually enough to deter behavior?
What are some examples of negative sanctions?
Ridicule
Frowns
Imprisonment

31. Formal Sanctions
Formal Sanctions – Reward or punishment given by a organization or agency
Positive
Diploma, Pay Raise, Award
Negative
Low Grades, Suspension, Job Termination

32. Informal Sanctions
Informal Sanction – A spontaneous expression of approval or disapproval by an individual or group
Positive
Standing ovation, compliments, pat on the back
Negative
Frowns, insults, exclusion from a group

33. Example 1

34. Example 2

35. Example 3

36. Example 4

37. Example 5

38. Example 6

39. Example 7

40. Example 8

41. Example 9

42. Example 10

43. Social Control
Social Control - the enforcing of norms through either internal or external means
Internalization is the best form of social control
Social Control Agencies:
Police & Courts
Religion
Family