An Introduction to Sociology

Presented by: Arnel O. RiveraBased on the presentation of Mr. K.

Brooks of Yorkland School

Man is a social animal. -Seneca, De Beneficiis (Roman Philosopher)

What does this mean?

What does this mean?

What is sociology? • Sociology is the study of social relation that

affects human behavior (Collins, 1965).

• The systematic study of human society and The systematic study of human society and social behavior (Taba, 1999).social behavior (Taba, 1999).

• The social science discipline that looks at the development and structure of human society and how it works (Transitions in Society, Challenge and Change)

• Sociology is the study of social life, social change, and the social causes and consequences of human behavior. (American Sociological Association)

What is a Society?

• Society can be defined as a group of humans who share a common interests, and culture.

• A society is a large number of people who live in the same area, see themselves as separate/different from others, and participate in a common culture.

UNDERSTANDING THE SOCIALIZATION PROCESS

• Socialization is a highly complex, lifelong learning process of social experience by which individuals develop their human potential and learn the patterns of their culture.

• It is highly dependent on the ability of man to communicate his feelings or ideas.

CLICHÉ

FACTS

IDEAS - OPINION

EMOTIONS

PEAK

LEVELS OF COMMUNICATION

CLICHÉ

• The “ hi and goodbye” type of communication. It is superficial, skin-deep and shallow. This level represents the weakest response to human dilemma and the lowest level of self-communication. In fact, there is no communication at all, unless by accident.

FACTS• This conversation is impersonal. It’s

like reading the newspaper. It’s all about things, events, situation and people around us. There is nothing personal involved in the conversation. We offer no personal, self-revelatory commentary on the facts, but simply report them.

IDEAS• This level is the beginning of intimacy.

There is something personal involved – judgment or point of view. It’s like reading the opinion page of the newspaper or watching the talk shows. It is at this level of idea that the opinions of people are expressed candidly and even blatantly on different relevant issues of the day.

FEELINGS• Feelings are our reaction to what we

perceive, and in turn color and define our perception of the world. Oftentimes, it is taken as a matter of fact. It is our reaction to a person, thing, event, situation or circumstance.

PEAK• It is the deepest level of intimacy. The

product of genuine openness and complete transparency. The complete emotional and personal communion.

The smile on your face lets me know that you need me

There’s a truth in you eyes saying you’ll never leave me

The touch of your hand says you’ll catch me whenever I fall

(But) You say it best, when you say nothing at all“You Say Nothing At All”

Standards of a Society•Hierarchy •Rules, norms and values•Deviance

Hierarchy• Hierarchy is the ranking system used in any

particular environment based on authority ot power

• Each position or role requires a certain type of expertise which is valued by society

• In order to distinguish between these roles people are expected to dress and act in a certain way

• On any given day we can play many different roles in society – eg. A parent can drive their kids to school and then go to work and teach their students

Rules, norms and values• Values – Society carries with it a system of

values. A particular set of values are assigned to each role. The practitioners of these roles are expected to accept and internalize these values.

• Norms – These are rules set out for a particular role that are considered standard behavior (eg. Catholic Priests are expected to be celibate)

• Rules – These are developed by cultures based on their system of values

Deviance• Deviance – Any behavior that is different

from the societal norm. It is deviant because we, as a society, do not accept it

• Deviance can range from simple eccentricities to behavior that harms society or is considered disreputable.

“We must not say that an action shocks the common conscience because it is criminal, but rather that it is criminal because it shocks the common conscience. We do not reprove (denounce) it because it is a crime, but it is a crime because we reprove it”

Emile Durkheim

PERSONALITY• Comes from the Latin

word persona meaning “mask”

• It is the sum-total of all traits and characteristics of a person that distinguished him/her from another person.

Determinants of Personality:

Biological Inheritance• The human infant comes into the world

equipped with biological structures, physiological processes, constitutional characteristics, reflexes, urges and capacity. The biological inheritances are significant in personality formation for they set limits to learning or enable the person to learn.

Determinants of Personality:Environmental• This refers to the location, climate,

topography and natural resources. The afternoon nap and the carefree attitude are usually associated with people living in the tropics, industry and frugality are traits associated with people in the temperate zones.

Agents of Personality:• Family• Education• Peer Group• Mass Media• Public Opinion

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