Lesson 5: Socialization

The socialization process begins in infancy and takes off once a child begins to understand language. Socialization happens without our realization through our observations and interactions with others, and continues throughout our lifetime.

We each have personal, and unique identity that separates us from other people, and in sociology it is called the self. The idea that our self comes from the value we put into the opinions other people have of us is called the looking-glass self. 

Here a boy plays the role of a mechanic, a typical male dominated career. Roles are behaviors or functions expected of us to play from a particular status. 

Here two girls are taking on the role of leaders by reading the map while the rest of the group hangs out in the background, this is an example of what George Mead calls the generalized other. In simplest terms it is when we imagine what the group expects of us and act upon that role. In this case these girls are taking on the roles of leaders because that is what they think the group expects of them. 

 There is an unspoken agreement between all passengers on a metro to keep to yourself. This particular type of norm is called a feeling rule, it regulates acceptable displays of emotions in any given situation.  

Lesson 4: Culture

 The respect and patience that the younger Rabbi gives to his elder is a value deep-rooted in their symbolic culture. Symbolic culture are the ideas, beliefs, values, and norms associated with a cultural groups interactions and communication.  

Venetian style masks are a huge part of the material culture and identity that belong in Venice, Italy. Material culture is any physical object that we give social meaning and value.  

A sign is a gesture or a symbol that is used to convey a message that society has assigned it. Even though this sign is in a different language the message is clear. 

In Jerusalem it is a not abnormal for people to go to the Mt. of Olives with a white donkey and praise their God, but anywhere else they would definitely get strange looks. Norms are informal "rules", the unspoken understandings regarding appropriate and inappropriate behavior. The reason this is socially acceptable is because norms are specific to their culture, time period, and situation.    

A folkway is a loosely enforced norm that involves common customs, or practices that guarantee smooth social interaction. These droids aren't breaking any laws or strictly held traditions, they aren't hurting anybody, yet this scene seems a bit out of the ordinary. 

Turning your back on the Wailing Wall as you walk away would be violating a more (pronounced: more-ray) and is seen as highly disrespectful even though there are no laws or even signs informing you so. A more is a heavy-weight norm, it carries greater moral significance because it is closely related to the core values of a group.  

Lesson 3: Research Methods

 Quantitative research deals with measurable data; numbers, time, statistics, etc. Through quantitative research you could find the amount of bones, and how long they've been there. 

Quantitative research involves more abstract data that cannot easily be converted into numbers, like what kind of dreams this person once had. 

Ethnography is the method of studying people in their own environment to understand the meanings they attribute to their activities.

Participant observation is where the researcher studies the subjects while becoming a member in their social setting. From this point of view it feels as though you are in the grass next to the girls. 

Value-free sociology is an ideal where researchers identify facts completely unbiased. Here is a petrified person in Pompeii, if you were to study them completely objectively you would have to abandon all emotions because those cause bias. 

Lesson 2: Theories

A theory is an abstract proposition that both explains the social world, and makes predictions about future events. Theories change over time because they change with society, what may be unacceptable now may become acceptable in the future.  

Positivism is the idea that our sense of perceptions are the only valid source of knowledge. Even though you can't feel the sun warming you, and don't need to squint your eyes from the brightness, you can be certain it is the sun because you can still see it. 

Social Darwinism is the theory that we adapt throughout time to our changing environments. What once may have been perceived as dangerous is now interesting. 

Mechanical Solidarity: A type of social bond held together by social cohesion due to traditions and beliefs. Most clearly visible in places where upholding traditions and culture are of utmost importance. 

Here is a tourist, and a local beggar. What is being shown here is a case of class conflict; it is social inequality between members of higher and lower classes.

Lesson 1: Basics

Society: A group of people who shape their lives in an aggregated and patterned way that distinguishes their group from other groups. People who share a culture and a territory. 

Microsociology: Studyies face-to-face & small group interactions, in order to understand how they affect the larger patters of society. This woman is the owner of the small chocolate shop, and is very proud of her Austrian culture as you can see by her traditional attire. 

Macrosociology Studies large scale social structures and looks at how they affect the lives of groups & individuals.

Beginners mind: Approaching the world without preconceptions in order to see things a new way. 

e.g. How to hold a cat

Everyday Actor: A person who has enough common-sense to function in everyday life, but does not necessarily have scientific or technical knowledge of how things work. This boy knows that the helmet is meant to protect his head, but how it's made and what it's made out of is completely beyond him.