Sociology: DS2 Part 1
The first theme selected for this discussion is social construction of reality. This theme is related to a theory with assumption that reality is relative to the socio- cultural environment where people live and interact. It consists of one’s country, religious affiliation; city, education among a few other variables (Korgen, 52). From my personal point of view this theory contains inconsistencies because reality is relative to one’s personal experience. As such, it was my proposal to investigate this occurrence by conducting a brief survey asking a small sample of respondents to explain their views of reality. The questions posed were:-
- Where were you born?b. If you were not born in the US, how long have you been here?c. What is your highest level of education?d. What is your religion?e. What race or ethnicity do you say you are?f. Are you straight, bisexual, or gay?g. How old are you?
h. What do think about public displays of affection? Holding hands, kissing, sitting
on someone’s lap, hugging? (Word Count= 172) My expectations are that most people will not answer questions D, E, F, and G because they are private and even though their names are not required it is highly likely to voluntarily give such information about themselves. This relates to people the living in the United States of America. People born outside of the United States may express affection differently (Word Count= 61).
My expectations were met or not met because the most of the respondents did not answere questions to the D, E, F, and G. They offered excuses such as it was not necessary to give that information about there. This relates to the theory in the sense that reality is relative. Also, social construction is created based on a person’s experiences with the external as well as internal environment (Word count = 69) It was an interesting learning experience for me. The interaction demonstrated how someone’s environment can be very important in expressing personal attributes. It can also influence the way people interact with each other publicly. These respondents did not know me. Therefore, the information give was based on their knowledge of me. This was their understanding of reality in their perception of whom I appear to be in their context (word count = 72).
The second theme relates basic elements of culture. This theory proposes that some basic elements of culture are artifacts or material people consider valuable (Ritze, 26). It is true that these materials consist mainly of language, social identity formed by society along with family influence on social life. In my evaluation a family of four was interviewed asking questions a about their way of life. My expectations were that they would relate the most important aspects of their culture (word count = 78).
My expectations were met because the family expressed their cultural heritage, spoke in their native language; communicated elements of dress and religious affiliations. From this experience I learnt that culture pertains to a group as well as indidivials. It also forms a distinct social identity that is passed on through generations (word count = 78).
The third theme selected for this discussion is scientific method. Scientific method is the process of conducting research using an hypothesis or research questions, gathering a sample, applying a theoretical frame work, collection of data or information and analyzing the information adapting a qualitative or quantitative approach. In my point of view this sis important in forming accurate conclusions (Korgen, 50) (word count = 62).
As such, using this approach a mini application of the scientific method was conducted investigating attitudes of students to teachers in a sample high school. A small sample of students was taken; a questionnaire developed and administered; the responses were collected and analyzed using a qualitative approach. My expectation was to ascertain accuracy of the outcome (word count = 55).
The expectation was met because a total of 24 questionnaires were returned and the daya recorded and interpreted. A conclusion was drawn which could be considered accurate based on responses. From this demonstration the scientific method was employed. The demonstration was a superb learning experience because it provided evidence that could be proven by student’s responses (word count = 56)
Works cited
Korgen, Kathleen Odell. Contemporary Readings in Sociology. Sage, 2008. Print
Ritzer, George. Introduction to Sociology: Second Edition. Sage, 2015. Print
Part 11: Questions 1, 2, 6, 7, 9, and 10 Pages 138 and 139 Ritzer
Question 6: counter culture/ Sub culture
Counter culture is a behavior that is unacceptable and detrimental to persons in the society but is practice for the benefit of a few. Besides computer hackers a classic counterculture can be illegal immigration. In United States of America there are 11 million illegal immigrants living along side Americans. These numbers seem to be increasing every. A sub culture exists alongside a establishe4d culture norm. For example, the4b emergences of gay marriages have become a sud culture to traditional marriages.
Question 7: Assimilation and multiculturalism
Assimilation refers to a cultural process whereby members of various cultural groups enter a society and adapt to their culture without distinctly infiltrating their own foreign cultural forms. Eventually, the original cultural forms begin to resemble those of the new environment. Multiculturism occurs when these same groups enter the new society and practice their cukt6ure alongside the new culture, ultimately mixing the foreign with new new as if an inbreeding process occurs practicing. This appears to be the ideal cultural form describing US society.
Question 8: High and low culture
High culture could be described as the predominant culture. For example, getting married is the high culture in most societies. However, living together is a popular low culture practice among many couples. When these two aspects of the culure is compared it can be concluded that marriages are becoming unpopular especially since they do not last very long anymore. Divorcee is quickly gaining momentum and eroding the traditional marriage culture expectations.
Question 9: Global culture
Global culture exists when people can connect through a common bound irrespective of ethnicity, part of the world one exists, language spoken and educational background. Music is a strong global culture because it expresses sentiments beyond language and social boundaries. Facebook to an extent can be considered a global culture. However, the limitation can be that friends communicate mainly in certain languages, which limits interaction to territories with those languages. When this has been illuminated people without internet access cannot engage in Facebook activities.
Question 10: Consumer culture
Information technology is considered a consumer culture the same as celebrity wearing celebrity type clothing and eating their diet. Consequently, Coolness it can be concluded that me and my friends indulge in consumer culture once we have cell phones, laptops, computers and receive or send information on the web. For example, if someone does not have an email address or Facebook account he/she is considered out of touch with developments in the society. These modern devices can also see viewed as status symbols (Ritzer, 137).
Question 1: Coolness
This concept differs from the twentieth century because of technological changes impinging on modernization and social change. Essentially, the classification has it impact on the clothes people wear , music they listen to and activities they engage in. A cool person is one who can integrate and fits in without feeling awkward due to their cultural differences. In the twentieth century for example, a cool person is one who spoke American or English fluently. In the twenty first century it is acceptable to speak Spanish in public and be not mocked.
Question 2: American democracy and Iran/Afghanistan
American value of democracy has created tensions in Iran and Afghanistan because their polecat culture is not really consistent with the brand of democracy advocated by American policies. For example free and fair elections have not been upheld. While practicing democracy still people do not have the right to vote and elect leaders as in America. Models of dictatorship still undermine their electoral system (Ritzer, 137)
Question 3: Smartphones
Definitely, Smartphones have become a status symbol as brand name cares, clothes or accessories. As part of the material value of culture acquisition of a Smartphone denotes participating in a in-group phenomenon. As such, in boosting self esteem many people carry a smart phone even if they do not know how to use it. This could be a subculture intiself whereby people carry smart phones not for its function, but for their personal ego boosting.
Question 4: New terminology on internet
New terminology being used on the internet is gaining momentum in modern culture. However, it poses difficulty to people who or not computer literature enough to understand these changes.
Question 2: Multiple science paradigm page 103 Ritzer
Sociology is considered a multiple paradigm science because there are various points of view embraced when research a social issue. Also, various research methods could be explored in explaining a single social phenomenon.
Works cited
Ritzer, George. Introduction to Sociology: Second Edition. Sage, 2015. Print
