L. Bean and Lands' End, Victoria's Secret, Christie's and Sotheby's, as well as used books." (Duneier, 1991, p.30)
According to the first chapter of Sociology: the Core by Michael Hughes and Carolyn J. Kroehler, symbolic interactionists like Duneier contend that society is possible because human beings have the ability to communicate with one another by means of symbols. They say that we act toward people, objects, and events on the basis of the meanings we impart to them. Symbolically, the books confer more status on Hasan, while the magazines are less prestigious. The 'lowest' sellers are the men who sometimes panhandle and sell illegally 'lifted' items. And all of the vendors have those in their service, such as the table watchers, placeholders who save the vendor's spots overnight on the street, the movers who transport the books and the all important storage providers who can store the printed material in safe…...
mlaWorks Cited
Duneier, Michael. Sidewalk. (1999) Farrar, Straus, Giroux.
Hughes, Michael & Carolyn J. Kroehler. (2001) Sociology: The Core. McGraw Hill.
Symbolic Interactions Perspective Media Analysis
Symbolic Interactions
Social inequality is different from economic inequality, though related to some extent. Economic inequality is typically caused by unequal accumulation of wealth, whereas social inequality has many different forms. Gender inequality, racial inequality, caste inequality, or age inequality are all types of social inequality that may exist in a society not merely due to differences in financial statuses of individuals. People from different social statuses often live in separate localities which may not be the case with people from different economic statuses. Classic example of such an issue is that of African-American class and the Jim Crow laws that were enacted in Northern United States between 1876 and 1965. The Jim Crow laws ordered racial segregation between the whites and blacks with many other laws like prohibition of intermarriages, separate public schools and many others. With United States' non-white president this issue seems to be…...
mlaBibliography
Bertrand, Marianne, and Sendhil Mullianathan. (2004). Are Emily and Greg More Employable than Lakisha and Jamal. Http://scholar.harvard.edu . N.p., 20 June 2004. Web. 4 Aug. 2012.
Jim Crow Laws - Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site. (2012). " U.S. National Park Service - Experience Your America. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Aug. 2012.
Media Analysis - Symbolic Interactionist Perspective
The title of the program I will discuss in this document is All in the Family. This was a television situation comedy that aired throughout the 1970's. It presented an alternative to the typical family situation comedy in the fact that the father and patriarch of the house, Archie Bunker, was categorized as a bigot. Archie's bigotry extended to people of racial minorities, gays, and to a definite proclivity for male chauvinism. As such, the social theme that this document will address is women's liberation.
There are a number of scenes in All in the Family in which Archie's treatment of his wife, Edith, is chauvinistic and indicative of the sort of behavior that women's liberation was developed to end. On a number of different occasions Archie refers to Edith as a dingbat. He would do so for laughs, of course, yet the fact remains that…...
mlaReferences
Archive of American Television. (2013). Jean Stapleton. www.emmytvlegends.org. Retrieved from http://www.emmytvlegends.org/interviews/people/jean-stapleton
Crowther, L. (2013). Jean Stapleton: no dingbat. www.legacy.com. Retrieved from http://www.legacy.com/news/legends-and-legacies/jean-stapleton-no-dingbat/1446/
Steinem, G. (1970). 'Women's liberation' aims too free men, too. The Washington Post. Retrieved from http://library.duke.edu/rubenstein/scriptorium/wlm/aims/
So that an adult who enjoys masturbating while watching a video of two other adults having sex and sees this activity as an acceptable and in fact healthy and joyous celebration of her or his sexuality will in most cases be horrified to see a video in which a child is being forced to have sex or anyone is being raped (Lauer & Lauer, 2007, p. 44).
Because an individual's reactions to pornography are directly and fundamentally related to that person's understanding of the meaning of sexuality, the symbolic interactionist approach seems to be the best fit of all of the major sociological perspectives. One of the additional strengths of this perspective is that it easily accommodates a range of different understanding of any phenomenon. It can explain why one individual sees pornography as one entirely acceptable aspect of sexuality while it can just as easily explain why others see…...
mlaReferences
Lauer, R. & Lauer, J. (2007). Social problems and the quality of life (11th ed.) New York: McGraw-Hill.
PSYCHOLOGY Psychology: Symbolic Interactionist Perspective on the Social Construction of IllnessHealth and illness are taken as social constructions, which is the essence of the interactionist approach. It means that society or its members cause circumstances and physical environmental conditions that mentally or physically disturb humans; they have no objective implications in reality. esearch has presented three categories of the social construction of health and illness: the cultural meaning of the two elements, the experience of the illness, and medical information about the illness (Conrad & Barker, 2010).Old-time scholars in this field have revealed that the deviance shown as a result of some social behavior causes social problems and directly affects health (Conrad & Barker, 2010). Nonconformity is observed within the social groups; social contexts are blurred, causing a discrepancy in the form of certain medical conditions. The symbolic interactionist perspective overlaps with this ideology as the scholars of this phenomenon…...
mlaReferencesConrad, P. & Barker, K.K. (2010). The social construction of illness: Key insights and policy implications. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 51(S), S67-S79. DOI: 10.1177/0022146510383495
Sociology
Symbolic interactionism is the theory suggesting human beings are best understood in "interactive relation to their environment," (University of Twente, 2014). The three core principles of symbolic interactionism including meaning, language, and thought. Meaning refers to the fact that people ascribe meaning to their relationships, institutions, and other social structures. This meaning is what guides human emotion and cognition. Language is the symbolic type of human communication. Like meaning, language also impacts human emotional and cognitive states. Thus, the third component of symbolic interactionism is thought. How a person perceives, judges, and interacts with the world is covered by symbolic interactionism. Symbolic interactionism also suggests that the self is a mirror for others, and vice-versa in what is known as the "looking glass self," ("The Symbolic Interactionist Perspective," n.d.). Symbolic interactionism is an ideal sociological lens through which to understand how social media has transformed the nature of human relationships…...
mlaReferences
Fernback, J. (2007). Beyond the diluted community concept. New Media and Society 9(1), 49-69.
Satell, G. (2014). If you doubt that social media has changed the world, take a look at Ukraine. Forbes. Retrieved online: http://www.forbes.com/sites/gregsatell/2014/01/18/if-you-doubt-that-social-media-has-changed-the-world-take-a-look-at-ukraine/
"The Symbolic Interactionist Perspective," (n.d.). Retrieved online: https://www.boundless.com/sociology/textbooks/boundless-sociology-textbook/sociology-1/the-theoretical-perspectives-in-sociology-24/the-symbolic-interactionist-perspective-157-3185/
University of Twente (2014). Symbolic interactionism.
theoretical paradigms: symbolic interaction approach, structural-function approach ( identifying manifest function, latent functions, social latent dysfunction) social-conflict approach analyzing euthanasia.
Euthanasia
There is presently much controversy regarding the topic of euthanasia as even though the process gathered many supporters, most of the general public continues to criticize it. It is difficult to determine the exact effect that euthanasia has on the patient, given that some might be unable to fully comprehend everything related to the medical procedure when they are the ones responsible for ordering it. Although some communities are likely to accept euthanasia as being moral, others are very probable to condemn it and relate to it as something that is particularly wrong. There are a series of factors influencing people's perspectives in regard to euthanasia, ranging from the cultural standards that they were accustomed with and until their social status. Examining euthanasia by using theoretical paradigms makes it easier…...
mlaWorks cited:
Hammersley, Martyn. The Dilemma of Qualitative Method: Herbert Blumer and the Chicago Tradition (London: Routledge, 1990)
Tucker, Robert C. Philosophy and Myth in Karl Marx (Cambridge, England: University Press, 1961)
Merton, Robert K. Broom, Leonard and Cottrell, Leonard S. eds., Sociology Today; Problems and Prospects (New York: Basic Books, 1959)
Rules America?' By G. illiam Domhoff
Does the book primarily rely on a structural, symbolic interactionist or conflict theoretical perspective to understand and explain the behavior or event it is studying.
Discuss what your book has to say about social inequality, whether social economic, gender, race, ethnicity or age.
If your book describes a social problem or an undesirable condition in society, discuss the a) discrepancy between the actual and the ideal, b) intended and unintended consequences, and c) "moral crusader."
Domhoff, G. illiam. ho Rules America? Power and Politics in the Year 2000.
illiam Domhoff's ho Rules America is an insightful look into the sociology of modern America. ritten from a conflict and structural functionalist perspective, the book largely feels that individual choices are determined by society. Dumhoff suggests that the root of most social inequalities comes from the existence of a power elite that control social and economic power in the United…...
mlaWorks Cited
Domhoff, G. William. Who Rules America? Mayfield Pub. Co., 2000.
To wit, power is a huge influence in any social interaction, and in a study reported by the University of California Press (est, 2008, p. 87), men often interrupt women during conversations because men are generally viewed as the power in any male-female interaction. "Physicians interrupt patients disproportionately" in doctor-patient interactions, est writes, "except when the doctor is a 'lady'; then, "patients interrupt as much or more than physicians, and their interruptions seem to subvert physicians' authority" (est, p. 87). In other words, the stratification of male doctors having the power to interrupt is reversed when a woman is the doctor.
orks Cited
Blumer, Herbert. (1986). Symbolic Interactionism: Perspective and Method. Berkeley:
Breen, Catherine M., Abernethy, Amy P., Abbott, Katherine H., and Tulsky, James a. (2007).
Conflict Associated with Decisions to Limit Life-Sustaining Treatment in Intensive Care
Units. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 16(5), 283-289.
Donovan, Jenny L., and Blake, David R. (2002). Patient non-compliance:…...
mlaWorks Cited
Blumer, Herbert. (1986). Symbolic Interactionism: Perspective and Method. Berkeley:
Breen, Catherine M., Abernethy, Amy P., Abbott, Katherine H., and Tulsky, James a. (2007).
Conflict Associated with Decisions to Limit Life-Sustaining Treatment in Intensive Care
Units. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 16(5), 283-289.
Town in Turmoil
A Town in Conflict
Every story can be told a number of different ways. Each person in a given narrative understands what went on from a particular perspective. Sometimes, if that person is especially perspicacious and especially curious, then she or he can see a particular event from the perspective or one or two other people. But the individual's perspective is always limited, and this is a good thing. If we cannot see the world from our own point-of-view then we have no hope of understanding our own virtues and vices, our own sense of cause and effect.
But it is also true that there is an important place in the world for understanding an event from a larger perspective. This is the role (or, at least, one of the roles) that scholarship plays in our lives. Scholarship provides that larger lens, that broader focus on the world that…...
mlaReferences
A town in turmoil. (2007). http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x1811248 .
Holmwood, J. (2005) Functionalism and its Critics in A. Harrington, A., (Ed.) Modern social theory: An introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Macionis, J.J. (2011). Society. (7th ed.). Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice Hall.
South Park and Communication Theory: Symbolic Interactionism
Introduction
In the first episode (“Stunning and Brave”) of the 19th season of South Park, a new principal has come to the town of South Park named PC Principal. PC Principal’s primary objective is to clean up the town of its bigotry, sexism and hateful speech. Halfway through the episode, other PC characters show up in a bar where the tired residents of South Park are attempting to relax away from all the stress of having to be PC all the time. PC Principal realizes there are others like him and they decide to “hang out” and start a PC frat house. The scene in the bar in which the PC characters come to meet one another is full of gestures and words that can be analyzed using the theory of Symbolic Interactionism.
The scene contains relevance as PC culture and social justice are very popular…...
Parental Rights and Children's Welfare
Sociological Analysis on Parental Rights vs. Children's Welfare: Structural-Functionalist, Conflict, and Symbolic Interactionist Perspectives
Studying the structure and dynamics of society entails not only analyzing the elements that comprise it, but also the general or 'bigger picture' of what society is -- that is, analysis of social structure and dynamics must be at the macro and micro levels. Indeed, sociological phenomena are analyzed and studied by social scientists using various theoretical perspectives formulated in order to provide researchers, as well as their audience, a look into the various interpretations that people give to explain specific events or realities experienced by the society and the individual. In the field of sociology, among these theoretical perspectives are the structural-functionalist, conflict, and symbolic interactionist traditions.
A particular example illustrating the discussion above is the analysis of parental rights and children's welfare, considered as an essential sociological phenomenon affecting the most basic…...
Stigma and Disability
The self-sufficiency of any person or group largely depends on the capacity to maintain a certain level of financial stability. As a group, people with disabilities are among those with the highest poverty rates and lowest educational levels despite typically having some of the highest out-of-pocket expenses of all other groups. Educational level is strongly related to financial status and independence in most of the studies performed on these variables. Despite regulations to attempt to provide an equal and fair education to students identified as having disabilities, the research indicates that the majority of these individuals do not reach the educational levels and financial status of their non-disabled peers. The limitations of a failed system of assistance for these individuals that creates a double-edged sword in the form of stigmatizing these students has resulted in it being next to impossible for this group to obtain even an "average"…...
mlaReferences
Artiles, A., Kozleski, E., Trent, S., Osher, D., & Ortiz, A. (2010). Justifying and explaining disproportionality, 1968-2008: A critique of underlying views of culture. Exceptional Children, 76, 279-299
Bjelland, M.J., Burkhauser, R.V., von Schrader, S., & Houtenville, A.J. (2011). 2010 progress report on the economic well-being of working-age people with disabilities. Retrieved on July 10, 2012 from ct&seiredir=1&referer=http%3A%2F%2Fscholar.google.com%2Fscholar%3Fhl%3Den %26q%3Ddisabilities%2Band%2Bpoverty%26as_sdt%3D0%252C23%26as_ylo%3D20 10%26as_vis%3D1#search=%22disabilities%20poverty%22.http://digitalcommons.ilr.cornell.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1284&context=edicolle
Brown v. Board of Education, 347 U.S. 483 (1954)"
Burkhauser, R.V. & Houtenville, A.J. (2006). A guide to disability statistics from the current population survey - annual social and economic supplement (March CPS). In Rehabilitation research and training center on disability demographics and statistics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. Retrieved on July 10, 2012 from http://digitalcommons.ilr.cornell.edu/edicollect/1233/
Restructuring within a large organization, or any organization, can be a very sensitive and often ambiguous process. One of the most important and vital aspects of restructuring is communication and how information throughout the entire process is relayed. It is also important for management or Human Resources to address all of the components pertaining to the restructuring and how it is going to affect all of the employees. Some of these components to be addressed may include a timeline of the restructuring; who it is going to effect and to what degree; are there going to be layoffs or demotions involved; changes in job descriptions; changes in higher management and direct reports; changes in benefits. If the basic aspects regarding the restructuring are not properly and accurately communicated, a sense of mistrust and disloyalty may develop.
In order to maintain this trust and loyalty to an organization, restructuring should be communicated…...
mlaAs a manager of change, I would take the time and extra caution in developing a proper strategy to inform my fellow colleagues of the restructuring and changes to come. I would evaluate the time-sensitivity of the information and how quickly it is expected to not only inform other employees but to also implement the changes, the size of the company and the number of people whom need to be informed. Based on that information, I would develop a strategy to both inform the employees and implement the strategies with the best source of media and highest level of richness possible. For example, if face-to-face communication was achievable due to several varying circumstances I would look at the next richest level, a telephone or conference call, and so on until an appropriate option was found.
Daft, R.L., Lengel, R.H., & Trevino, L.K. (1987). Message equivocality, media selection, and manager performance: Implications for information systems. MIS Quarterly, 11(3), 355-366. Retrieved March 23, 2011, from the JSTOR database
Daft, R.L., Lenger, R.H., & Trevino, L.K. (1987). Media Symbolism, Media Richness, and Media Choice in Organizations: A Symbolic Interactionist Perspective . Communication Research, 14, 553-574. Retrieved March 23, 2011, from http://crx.sagepub.com/content/14/5/553.full.pdf+html
Socio-Cultural Perspective
"The sociocultural perspective suggests that human behavior is influenced by social context, environmental cues, social pressures, and cultural influences." (Major Perspectives in Psychology) Things that happen in our life, the environment we grow up in, the type of people we live around, and the ideas and beliefs we grow up with all shape and influence our ideals and how we think and behave. For example, living in America is different than living in China or Africa, which involve different cultures and beliefs. eing raised in poor, working class, or wealthy families affects the way we learn to live. The religious beliefs we grow up with shape what we believe is right or wrong. Whether we grow up with strict parents or parents that are lazier faire, help shape the morals we learn.
Memory is the persistence to learning. Overtime, our memory encodes environmental information, stores it by retention, and retrieves…...
mlaBibliography
Major Perspectives in Psychology. n.d. Web. 8 May 2012.
Social Learning & Social Cognitive Perspectives on Personality. 23 Dec 2003. Web. 9 May 2012.
Social-Cultural perspective. n.d. Web. 8 May 2012.
Impact of Globalization on Social Structures and Norms: A Sociological Perspective
Globalization, characterized by the heightened interconnectedness and interdependence of societies, has had a profound impact on social structures and norms. Sociological perspectives offer illuminating insights into these transformations:
Functionalist Perspective:
Globalization has fostered increased specialization and division of labor across regions, leading to functional differentiation and a more complex social structure.
It has strengthened interdependence and created transnational networks, fostering cooperation and the emergence of global institutions.
However, globalization can also exacerbate social inequality by creating a divide between those who benefit from the flow of capital and technology and those....
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