Spring 2009
Sociology 121 The Individual in Social Structure: Foundations of Sociological Social Psychology
Class Time: Tuesday/Thursday 3:15-4:30 pm
Instructor: Lynn Chin
Office:
Building 120, room 029
Hours:
Thursday, 4:30-6:00 pm
Phone:
(650) 721-6817 (office)
Email:
lynnchin@stanford.edu
Course Objectives & Description:
Social psychology is a unique discipline that crosses the boundary line between psychology and
sociology. While psychologists focus primarily on the mind and the inner lives of individuals,
sociologists are concerned with one’s social life and features of society. Social psychologists argue
that it is essential to examine how the individual and society interact with one another. Social
psychologists study the dynamics of the ties between individuals and how social structure both
constrains and enables those ties. In this course, we emphasize the relationship between the individual
and social structure, the relationship between the individual and her immediate social context, as well
as the relationships between individuals.
The course is organized around three dominant theoretical perspectives in sociological social
psychology: Social Structure and Personality, Structural Social Psychology and Symbolic
Interactionism. These perspectives share an interest in understanding how local situations and social
structure impinge on the individual as well as how the individual affects local situations and social
structure. However, the perspectives also differ from one another. They vary in how they
conceptualize social structure (stable versus changing) as well as how they conceptualize individuals
(simple or complicated). The perspectives also vary in the degree to which they prioritize social
structure over local context (and vice versa) in determining behavior. We review these three
perspectives, examining evidence and applications of the theories within them. These perspectives
have been used to shed light on a variety of topics including inequality and opportunity (or not) for
social mobility, which will be an underlying theme for the course tying all the perspectives together.
Course Requirements:
Students are expected to attend all class meetings. You are expected to complete the assigned readings
before you come to class to ensure active participation in class discussions and an understanding of
lectures. Class will often have small break out sections, where all students will be expected to
participate. To help aid you in this, all students should come prepared to give a brief synopsis of the
main points of all the reading. I will randomly pick students to answer questions in class. You are also
required to participate fully in all the section activities and discussion. Class participation will
constitute 20% of your grade.
All students are required to turn in 3 papers. Each paper covers a theoretical perspective (5-6 pages
maximum for Sociology 121. Maximum number of pages MUST be adhered to-any page past the
maximum will not be read. Title Covers and Works Cited are not included in page count, but foot/end
notes count). Sociology 121 students will take a comprehensive final exam. All papers must be
double-spaced) and in 12 point Times New Roman Font. Each student will turn in all your papers and
exams using their student ID Number and NOT their name.
Soc 121: Paper #1
Paper #2
Paper #3
Final Exam
Class Participation
20%
20%
20%
20%
20%
Course Readings:
The majority of our readings will not be found in a text book or course reader. Instead, course material
will be found online. Underneath the articles listed below in the Course Schedule, there is a stable
URL that will take you to the article. If you prefer, you can find the article yourself in JSTOR or
Proquest (Social Science Module), databases you can access through the library homepage
(http://www-sul.stanford.edu). There are several chapters, however, that you cannot access through the
databases. This material is available to you through coursework. You will need to register for this class
in coursework at http://coursework.stanford.edu. We will also read three books and watch two
movies outside of class. These are: Rivethead by Ben Hamper, Civil War by Mark Millar and Steve
McNiven, Mean Girls (2003), Lust, Caution (2007), and Factory Girls by Leslie T Chang. One book
is recommended reading: A Man Called White by Walter White.
Course Schedule and Readings:
Week 1:
3/31
I. Overview of Social Psychology
4/2
II. Levels of Analysis & the Role of Social Structure, Individuals, and Agency
James S. Coleman. 1986. “Social Theory, Social Research and a Theory of Action.” American
Journal of Sociology 91: 1309-35.
http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0002-9602%28198605%2991%3A6%3C1309%3ASTSRAA%3E2.0.CO%3B2-6
Week 2:
4/7
(Handouts/On Coursework)
Condensed Versions of:
William H. Sewell, Jr. 1992. “A Theory of Structure: Duality, Agency, and Transformation.”
American Journal of Sociology 98: 1-29.
(Full version, if you want a challenge, can be found here)
http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0002-9602%28199207%2998%3A1%3C1%3AATOSDA%3E2.0.CO%3B2-9
Randall Collins. 1981, “On Microfoundations of Macrosociology.” American Journal of Sociology
86: 984-1014.
(Full version, if you want a challenge, can be found here)
http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0002-9602%28198103%2986%3A5%3C984%3AOTMOM%3E2.0.CO%3B2-C
4/9
III. Social Structure and Personality
A. Review of Theoretical Perspective
Melvin L. Kohn. 1989. “Social Structure and Personality: A Quintessentially Sociological Approach
to Social Psychology.” Social Forces 68: 26-33.
http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0037-7732%28198909%2968%3A1%3C26%3ASSAPAQ%3E2.0.CO%3B2-Y
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Week 3: SSP #2 Continued
4/14
James S. House. 1981. “Social Structure and Personality.” Pp. 525-61 in Rosenberg and Turner’s
Social Psychology: Sociological Perspectives. New York: Basic Books.
B. Application of Paradigm
1. Health Outcomes
4/16
David R. Williams. 1990. ”Socioeconomic Differentials in Health: A Review and Redirection.” Social
Psychology Quarterly 53: 81-99.
http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0190-2725%28199006%2953%3A2%3C81%3ASDIHAR%3E2.0.CO%3B2-C
Serial Killer Profiles (On coursework)
Recommended Reading:
Ronald C. Kessler and Jane D. McLeod 1984. “Sex Differences in Vulnerability to Undesirable
Life Events.” American Sociological Review. 49: 620-631.
http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0003-1224%28198410%2949%3A5%3C620%3ASDIVTU%3E2.0.CO%3B2-S
Gregory L. Wiltfang and Mark Scarbecz. 1990. “Social Class and Adolescents’ Self-Esteem:
Another Look.” Social Psychology Quarterly 53: 174-183
http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0190-2725%28199006%2953%3A2%3C174%3ASCAASA%3E2.0.CO%3B2-Q
Week 4:
4/21
2. Class, Work , Values, Social Stratification, and Social Mobility
Melvin L. Kohn. 1976. “Occupational Structure and Alienation.” American Journal of Sociology
82: 111-130.
http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0002-9602%28197607%2982%3A1%3C111%3AOSAA%3E2.0.CO%3B2-U
Melvin L. Kohn. 1959. “Social Class and Parental Values.” American Journal of Sociology 64:
337-351.
http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0002-9602%28195901%2964%3A4%3C337%3ASCAPV%3E2.0.CO%3B2-G
Alan C. Kerckhoff. 1995. “Social Stratification and Mobility Processes: Interaction Between
Individuals and Social Structure.” Pp. 476-496 in Cook, Fine, and House’s Sociological
Perspectives in Social Psychology. Boston: Allyn and Bacon. (On Coursework)
Recommended Readings:
Karen Heimer. 1997. “Socioeconomic Status, Subcultural Definitions, and Violent Delinquency.”
Social Forces 75: 799-833.
http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0037-7732%28199703%2975%3A3%3C799%3ASSSDAV%3E2.0.CO%3B2-Q
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Melvin Kohn, et al. 1997. “Social Structure and Personality Under Conditions of Radical Social
Change: A Comparative Analysis of Poland and Ukraine.” American Sociological Review 62:
614-638.
http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0003-1224%28199708%2962%3A4%3C614%3ASSAPUC%3E2.0.CO%3B2-U
4/23
C. Putting it all together.
Alan C. Kerckhoff. 1995. “Social Stratification and Mobility Processes: Interaction Between
Individuals and Social Structure.” Pp. 476-496 in Cook, Fine, and House’s Sociological
Perspectives in Social Psychology. Boston: Allyn and Bacon. (On Coursework)
Ben Hamper. 1991. Rivethead: Tales from the Assembly Line. New York: Warner Books, Inc.
[Bring your book to class.]
Discussion Questions Handout (on coursework).
Week 5:
4/27 III. Structural Social Psychology
A: Overview of Theoretical Perspective:
Edward Lawler, Cecilia Ridgeway, and Barry Markovsky. 1993. “Structural Social Psychology
and Micro-Macro Problem.” Sociological Theory 11: 268-290.
http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0735-2751%28199311%2911%3A3%3C268%3ASSPATM%3E2.0.CO%3B2-L
4/30
Paper # 1 Due Start of Class: Structural Social Psychology
Week 6:
5/5
B. Social Exchange Theory (One Theoretical Research Program in Paradigm)
Linda Molm and Karen S. Cook. 1995. “Social Exchange and Exchange Networks.” Pp. 209-235 in
Cook, Fine, and House’s Sociological Perspectives in Social Psychology. Boston: Allyn and
Bacon.
5/7
1.
C. Theoretical Applications of Social Exchange Theory:
Risk, Commitment, and Trust
Peter Kollock. 1994. “The Emergence of Exchange Structures: An Experimental Study of
Uncertainty, Commitment, and Trust.” American Journal of Sociology 100: 313-345.
http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0002-9602%28199409%29100%3A2%3C313%3ATEOESA%3E2.0.CO%3B2-X
2. Commitment & Emotions
Edward J. Lawler and Jeongkoo Yoon. 1996. “Commitment in Exchange Relations.” American
Sociological Review 61:89-108.
http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0003-1224%28199602%2961%3A1%3C89%3ACIERTO%3E2.0.CO%3B2-J
Recommended Reading:
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3. Risk and Coercion:
Linda Molm. 1997. “Risk and Power Use: Constraints on the Use of Coercion in Exchange.”
American Sociological Review 62: 113-133.
http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0003-1224%28199702%2962%3A1%3C113%3ARAPUCO%3E2.0.CO%3B2-R
Recommended Reading:
D . Experimentation:
Barbara Foley Meeker and Robert K. Leik. 1995. “Experimentation in Sociological Social
Psychology.” Pp. 630-649 in Cook, Fine, and House’s Sociological Perspectives in Social Psychology.
Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
Elliot Aronson, Timothy D. Wilson, and Marilynn B. Brewer. 1998. “Experimentation in
social Psychology.” Pp. 99-142 in D.T. Gilbert, S.T. Fiske, and G. Lindzey’s Handbook of
Social Psychology. Boston: McGraw-Hill.
Week 7:
5/12 E. Putting it all Together:
Mark Millar and Steve McNiven. 2007. Civil War: A Marvel Comics Event. New York:
Marvel Publishing Inc.
Mean Girls (Movie)
[Bring your book and your notes about the movie to class.]
Discussion Questions Handout (on coursework).
5/14
IV. Symbolic Interactionism
A. Review of Theoretical Perspective
Sheldon Stryker. 1981. “Symbolic Interactionism: Themes and Variations.” Pp. 3-29 in Rosenberg
and Turner’s Social Psychology: Sociological Perspectives. New York: Basic Books.
Herbert Blumer. 1964. “The Methodological Position of Symbolic Interactionism.” Pp. 1-21 in
Blumer’s Symbolic Interactionism: Perspective and Method. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: PrenticeHall.
Week 8:
5/19
Paper #2 Due Start of Class: Structural Social Psychology
Continuing Review of Perspective.
Herbert Blumer. 1964. “The Methodological Position of Symbolic Interactionism.” Pp. 21-60 in
Blumer’s Symbolic Interactionism: Perspective and Method. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
5/21
B. Evidence and Applications
Jason B. Jimerson. 1999. “’Who has Next?’ The Symbolic, Rational and Methodological Use of
Norms in Pickup Basketball.” Social Psychology Quarterly 62: 136-156.
http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0190-2725%28199906%2962%3A2%3C136%3A%22HNTSR%3E2.0.CO%3B2-B
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Zachary W. Brewster. 2003. “Behavioral and Interactional Patterns of Strip Club Patrons:
Tipping Techniques and Club Attendance.” Deviant Behavior: An Interdisciplinary Journal
24: 221-243.
http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/routledg/udbh/2003/00000024/00000003/art00002
Week 9:
5/26
(To be taken out if need buffer space)
C. Self and Identity
1. Identity Theory
Sheldon Stryker. 1968. “Identity Salience and Role Performance: The Relevance of Symbolic
Interaction Theory for Family Research.” Journal of Marriage and the Family, 30: 558-564.
http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0022-2445%28196811%2930%3A4%3C558%3AISARPT%3E2.0.CO%3B2-U
Sheldon Stryker and Peter Burke. 2000. “The Past, Present, and Future of an Identity Theory.”
Social Psychology Quarterly 63: 284-297.
http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0190-2725%28200012%2963%3A4%3C284%3ATPPAFO%3E2.0.CO%3B2-G
Michael Carter. 2007. “Identity Control Theory” pp. 2223-2226 in Blackwell Encyclopedia of
Sociology, Edited by George Ritzer. Walden, MA: Blackwell Publishing.
5/28
(To be taken out if need buffer space)
2. Identity Control Theory
Peter Burke. 1991. Identity Processes and Social Stress. American Sociological
Review, 56(6), 836-849.
Peter Burke. 2007. “Identity Control Theory” pp. 2202-2207 in Blackwell Encyclopedia of Sociology,
Edited by George Ritzer. Walden, MA: Blackwell Publishing.
Week 10:
6/2
Paper #3 Due Due Start of Class: Symbolic Interactionism
3. Putting it all Together
Selections from: White, Walter. 1995. A Man Called White: the Autobiography of Walter White.
Athens: University of Georgia Press.
Lust, Caution (Movie)
[Bring your book and your notes about the movie to class.]
Discussion Questions Handout (on coursework).
6/5
Sociology 121 Final Examination Due 5:00 pm Based on Chang, Leslie T. 2007. 2008.
Factory Girls: From Village to City in a Changing China. New York: Spiegel & Grau.
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