What is sociology???
Sociology is the social science that studies human
society and social behavior.
Social Science – Disciplines that study human social
behavior or institutions and functions of human
society in a scientific manner
Social Interaction – How people relate to one another
and influence each other’s behavior
Social Phenomena – Observable facts or events that
involve human society
How is sociology different?
Anthropology – Comparing past/present cultures
Psychology – Behavior and thinking
Economics – Production/Consumption of goods
and services
Political Science – Operation of government
History – Study of past events
What Is Culture?
Culture – all the shared
products of a human group
Material Culture
Nonmaterial Culture
Material Culture
Automobiles
Books
Buildings
Clothing
Computers
More Material Culture!
Nonmaterial Culture
Beliefs
Family Patterns
Ideas
Language
Political System
Economic System
Components of Culture
Technology
Symbols
Language
Values
Shared beliefs of good/bad and right/wrong
Norms
Norms – Shared rules of conduct that tell people
how to act in specific situations
What social norms can you think of that exist in
our society?
Mores – Norms that are widely observed and
have great moral significance
Laws
Examining Culture
Cultural Trait – an individual tool, act, or belief
that is related to a particular situation or need.
What are some cultural traits?
Examples
Using forks, knives, and spoons
Specific greetings (Boss, Teacher, Friend, Mom)
Culture Complexes
Individual cultural traits combine to form the
next level…cultural complexes.
Cultural complexes – a cluster of interrelated
traits.
Football is a culture complex that involves a
variety or traits.
Football, a Culture Complex
Material Traits:
Helmets
Pads
First Aid Kits
Benches
Football, a Culture Complex
Specific Acts:
Passing
Catching
Running
Tackling
Football, a Culture Complex
Specific Beliefs:
Certain Rules Should Be Followed
Penalties Should Be Given
What Do We Have In Common?
Cultural Universals – features that are common
to all cultures
Family
Funeral Ceremonies
Shelter
Dancing
More Cultural Universals
Religion
Sports
Myths and Folklore
Gift Giving
Body Adornment
Variations in Cultures
Ethnocentrism – the tendency to view one’s own
culture and group as superior
Cultural Relativism – the belief that cultures
should be judged by their own standards rather
than applying the standards of another culture
In other words…KEEP AN OPEN MIND!
Countercultures
Counterculture – reject
society’s norms and replaces
them with their own
Hippies
Organized Crime Families
Anarchists
Traditional American Values
Although Americans are extremely different, for
the most part we all share certain values
Sociologist Robin M. Williams analyzed
American values and came up with a list of 15
What do you think of when someone says
“traditional American values”?
Traditional American Values
Personal Achievement
Achievement often measured by power or wealth
Individualism
Individual effort is the key to personal achievement
Can be negative…failure = that person is to blame
Work
Americans value hard work
Traditional American Values
Morality and Humanitarianism
Helping those less fortunate (Haiti, Syria)
Efficiency and Practicality
Judge new technology on its usefulness
Progress and Material Comfort
Technology + Science = A more comfortable world
Traditional American Values
Equality and Democracy
“We hold these truths to be self-evident…”
Civil Rights Movement
Freedom
Freedom of religion, speech, bear arms
Patriotism
Pledge of allegiance, national holidays, 9/11
Our Changing Values
Choose one or more of the traditional American
values we covered in class on Friday.
Why do you consider these values to be
important?
Explain how this value does or does not differ
from those of your elders? (Parent, Guardian,
Teacher, Coach)
Our Changing Values
Self-fulfillment – a commitment to the full
development of one’s personality, talents, and
potential…think, self-help seminars
Leisure
Physical Fitness
Youthfulness
Does television, radio, and advertisements
demonstrate and reflect these values?
More Changing Values
Narcissism – Extreme selfcenteredness
Is this a bad thing?
List the pros and cons
A rapidly changing
American value
Environmental Protection
Internalization of Norms
Think back to last week…what are norms?
Norms – Shared rules of conduct that tell people
how to act in specific situations
Societies develop norms that reflect the cultural
values its members consider important
Enforced in two ways…internalization &
sanctions
Internalization
Internalization is the process by
which a norm becomes part of
an individual’s personality
What do you do as soon as you
sit down to eat at a restaurant?
What do you do as soon as the
traffic signal turns red?
What are sanctions?
Sanctions - Rewards or punishments used to
enforce conformity to norms
Positive Sanctions
Negative Sanctions
Formal Sanctions
Informal Sanctions
Positive Sanctions
Positive Sanction – An action that rewards a
specific type of behavior
What are some examples of positive sanctions?
Good Grades
Pay Raises
Cheers
Negative Sanctions
Negative Sanction – Punishment or the threat of
punishment used to enforce conformity
Is the threat usually enough to deter behavior?
What are some examples of negative sanctions?
Ridicule
Frowns
Imprisonment
Formal Sanctions
Formal Sanctions – Reward or punishment given
by a organization or agency
Positive
Diploma, Pay Raise, Award
Negative
Low Grades, Suspension, Job Termination
Informal Sanctions
Informal Sanction – A spontaneous expression
of approval or disapproval by an individual or
group
Positive
Standing ovation, compliments, pat on the back
Negative
Frowns, insults, exclusion from a group
Example 1
Example 2
Example 3
Example 4
Example 5
Example 6
Example 7
Example 8
Example 9
Example 10
Social Control
Social Control - the enforcing of norms through
either internal or external means
Internalization is the best form of social control
Social Control Agencies:
Police & Courts
Religion
Family