Sociology
Notable Sociologists
Auguste Comte He is seen as the father of Sociology He coined the term Sociology in reference
to the new science of society
Terms
Sociology Behavioral science that studies human society and
social behavior.
Society Group of mutually interdependent people who have
organized in such a way as to share a common culture and feeling of unity
Social interaction How people relate to one another and influence
each other’s behavior
Terms
Culture The beliefs, values, behavior, and material objects
that constitute a peoples' way of life Socialization
Lifelong social experience by which individuals develop their human potential and learn patterns of their culture
Personality A person’s fairly consistent patterns of thinking,
feeling, and behaving Socialization has a strong influence on one’s
personality
Five Components of Culture
1. Physical objects – Artifacts Material culture
Automobiles, clothing, books, buildings, cooking utensils and computers
Non-material culture Language, ideas, beliefs, rules, skills, family
patterns, work practices, and political and economic systems
Five Components of Culture
2. Symbols Anything that stands for something else.
Five Components of Culture
3. Language The organization of written and spoken
symbols into a standardized system The way a society expresses ideas and
communicate with each other Includes non-verbal symbols
4. Values Shared beliefs about what is good or bad,
right or wrong, desirable or undesirable
Five Components of Culture
5. Norms Shared rules of conduct that tell people
how to act in specific situations Folkways – norms that do not have great
moral significance attached to them Informal ways of doing things Folkways do not endanger the society
Mores – norms that have great moral significance attached to them Violation of mores endangers the society Laws – written rules of conduct
Factors that Affect Personality
Is personality learned or are you born with it? There are three main factors that affect the
development of our personality Nature vs. Nurture Birth order Parental characteristics – education, religion,
economic status, cultural heritage occupation The cultural environment – U.S. competitiveness,
assertive, individualism, male vs. female, etc.
Agents of Socialization
Family Most important socializing agent, especially up to
age 5 or 6 Family based socialization is not all intentional.
(environment is important) Research shows attention is very important
Examples: physical contact, verbal, nonverbal School
Major socializing agent for ages 6-13 Hidden curriculum – activities that teach students
key cultural values Example: achievement, success, moral values
Agents of Socialization
Peers Major socializing agent for ages 13-20 This is a time of breaking away from direct adult
supervision. Peers develop social relationships on their own Develop a sense of identity apart from their
families During this time:
Peers may guide short-term goals such as dress and music
Parents still maintain greater influence over long-term goals such as educational aspirations
Agents of Socialization
Mass Media Impersonal communications directed at
large audiences. Examples:
TV – average household has a television on for 7 hours a day.
Music Books – content analysis Magazines Radio – DJs, talk show hosts
Top Related