Evaluate a micro and macro sociological perspective in relationship to the study of society. Use examples to make your point.
David Jacob 12D 04/10/2012 Evaluate a micro and macro sociological perspective in relationship to the study of society. Use examples to make your point. A perspective is simply a way of looking at something. Sociological perspectives are as set of theories, which present a way of looking at society; many of these have opposing views and as a result, look upon society in completely different ways to one another. A Marxist perspective of society revolves around the theory that the economic system heavily influences society, because of the ruling classes -who Marxists refer to as the Bourgeoisie-controlling the means of production; they strive to exploit the workers, also known as the Proletariat for the greatest profit. Marx believed that one day the Proletariat would realise this false consciousness and rise up against the Bourgeoisie. The Bourgeoisie, through the power of the dominant ideology, keeps these workers, the Proletariat, in a state of false consciousness meaning that there is very little social mobility. In previous instances in history, Religion was referred to as the “opiate of the people” and in some instances, I think this has been replaced with the education system. Because the ruling classes are in control of what schools teach, (mainly due to society being in many ways meritocratic) the school syllabus is modified to indoctrinate the new
Examine the sociological theories and patterns and trends in healthcare.
Jessica Bascombe Unit 7: Sociological Perspectives for Health & Social Care P1: Explain the principal sociological perspectives Functionalism: Perspectives view illness as a form of deviance and ill people are seen as performing a social role (sick role) if people are declared ill specific right and responsibility comes with this new role the rights associated with the sick role include: * Too be exempt from normal social obligation * To be cared for * Taking all steps to get better * Co-operating with medical staff to get better The concept of the sick role was created by sociologist theorist Parson (1951) he had argued that individuals can adopt the “sick role” professionals such as Doctors are a key role in diagnosing illness and then defining if an individual is truly “sick” the sick has a right/obligations essentials e.g.: the sick individual has the right to not go to work, school, college or any social duties although they have the obligation to seek medical professional help and advice to then return to normal full health asap this is the way functionalist view of dealing with ill health in society it ensures the functioning of society. Parsons (1951) had also argued he saw a family as a pivotal in society that their basic functions are: * The primary socialisation if children * Stabilisation of adult personalities such as looking after the male
The essay will attempt to evaluate and assess how the various theoretical perspectives within sociology have contributed to our understanding of the deviant, individual act of 'suicide'. This will be achieved by defining and evaluating 'functionalism',
''How has Sociology contributed to our understanding of 'Suicide'"? Introduction The essay will attempt to evaluate and assess how the various theoretical perspectives within sociology have contributed to our understanding of the deviant, individual act of 'suicide'. This will be achieved by defining and evaluating 'functionalism', a 'macro perspective' and the application of this functionalistic approach formulated by Emile Durkheim, to the social phenomenon of 'suicide'. Criticisms in relation to Durkheims's study will also be evaluated, drawing upon other 'Positivist' theories and contrasting, 'Interpretive' theories of 'suicide', such as 'Symbolic Interactionism', a 'micro perspective'; who's principles were originally formulated by Max Weber. Sociology The development of 'sociology' as a discipline occurred during the 19th century, in an attempt to develop a science of society whose methodological principles shared similarities with that of the natural sciences. The term "sociology" was accredited to Auguste Comte (1838), one of the original initiators of the subject, which he believed could encompass all sciences into a cohesive whole. Sociology defines society as an object, which exists, can be studied and for which laws can be formulated. Therefore, sociology must be able to account for social phenomenon. This led to the development of a variety of 'sociological
The links between school bullying and mugging and there affects on individuals lives.Is it possible that school bullying and mugging are closely linked? If so, can they have permanent side - effects on an individual's life?
The links between school bullying and mugging and there affects on individuals lives. Is it possible that school bullying and mugging are closely linked? If so, can they have permanent side - effects on an individual's life? Too tall, too short, too fat, too thin....I hate my hair...I need a better car...I can't wear that dress as I wore it last week....these are the questions I faced the other morning, the silly thing is that I am confident that millions of other people are waking up and lobbying mini arguments within their minds of similar matters. But why are these matters so important? A very open question, yet in all generalisation can be linked to the word SOCIETY. Blumer (1969) identifies this as noted below: "Basically human behaviour is not determined by social forces. Rather, people are simply self - conscious beings..." He states that due to ones self consciousnesses, questions similar to the ones asked above arise. The self consciousness of an individual is induced by those labels attached to us through the sub cultures in which we exist. These are closely linked to our childhood educational experiences. Control theory implies that social services will decrease levels of deviant behaviour by strengthening the bond between the adolescent and society. Labelling theory implies the reverse, that the process of formal adjudication through the juvenile court
Introduction to Sociology - questions and answers
Introduction to Sociology Unit One Assessment Section One . Describe in full what Sociology is. Sociology is a critical study of society and the social world we live in, It is a study of Me, You, People and Institutions. It investigates and analysis things such as social problems, social behaviour, culture, culture differences, human behaviour as groups and also on larger more predominant behaviour as a society on a whole. This study uses a lot of different methods in order to investigate the way society works and why humans do the things they do as a society. 2. Identify and explain one difference between Sociology and Common sense. Common sense is not based on fact, it is almost a set of beliefs learnt from experience and other peoples. Sociology is based upon research and scientific evidence. 3. Identify two differences Sociology and Psychology. Sociology looks at society on a large scale, where Psychology studies an individual. Psychology can be said to be a science that deals with individual mental behavior. Sociology on the other hand a science that deals with the development of human society. 4. Describe one similarity between Sociology and Psychology. Both Psychology and Sociology study human behavior, which is how they are similar. Having said that, Psychology goes a little deeper and tends to defines behavior as normal or abnormal. 5. Sociology is a
Critically evaluate the contribution that the Labelling theory has made to our understanding of the nature of Crime and Deviance.
Critically evaluate the contribution that the Labelling theory has made to our understanding of the nature of Crime and Deviance. Most approaches to the understanding of crime and deviance, (except Marxism) accept there is a difference between those who offend and those who don't. However, one group of sociologists, influenced by symbolic interactionism, have questioned this approach, arguing that the approach is mistaken in the assumption that lawbreakers are different from the law-abiding. The Labelling theory is greatly influenced by symbolic interactionism and instead suggests that most people commit deviant or criminal acts, but only some people are caught and stigmatised for it. This approach to the understanding of crime and deviance is an opinion dividing one, facing many criticisms. It is unique in that, unlike other theories on crime and deviance, it argues that it is pointless trying to search for the differences between deviants and non-deviants and instead, suggests the stress should be upon understanding the reaction to, and definition of, deviance rather than on the causes of the initial act. Howard Becker made, arguably, one of the most important contributions to understanding crime and deviance through the development of labelling theory. Becker states that no act is criminal or deviant until it has been labelled as such by others, or "deviant behaviour is
Descartes(TM) view of the mind and how it relates to the human being
Ruby Yee 3193687 PHIL2206: Philosophy of Mind Essay 1 Explain Descartes' view of the mind and how it relates to the human being. Find Descartes correspondence with Princess Elisabeth of Bohemia. Assess his responses to her questions. Through time, one of the ever-prevailing issues has been the mind-body problem and whether or not the two are inter-related. These assumptions both attempt to solve the age-old question of how the mind and the body interact with one another. The main problem in this is that it is a theoretical problem, and any metaphysical body is unable to be properly measured or tried. Both stances have drawn many followers through history, but both sides of the argument remain ambiguous, vague and often overlap the other. Human perception, thoughts, intentions and anxieties directly affect the body and the way humans behave. States of the nervous system and brain are able to generate states of the mind. Unfortunately this logic involves a contradiction. The nervous system and brain were constructed under the laws of sciences and is part of the physical world. Thoughts, feelings and other states of the mind are a component of the abstract world. Using logic it is impractical for the brain to generate mind or the mind to affect the brain. The mind is composed of abstract and non-conscious components involved in early brain processing of stimuli or in emotions
Individual Vs Society
The Individual and Society Principles, motivations and conflicts in the relationship between individual rights on the one hand, and government and law on the other are central to the study of sociology. Analysis of the relationship between the individual and society long predates the development of sociology dating back to the 17th century. The focus is on the respective claims of the individual and society and in particular the extent to which the state can limit individual freedom to achieve social order. Society is a population of humans characterised by patterns of relationships between individuals that may have distinctive culture and institutions, or, more broadly, an economic, social and industrial infrastructure in which a varied multitude of people or people are a part. The macro view of society in structures is the foundation for many sociological standpoints including Maxism and functionalism. From this view therefore, it is believed that the society controls the individual. The micro approach, on the other hand, believes that social situations begin with the individual. This essay will explore some of the main arguments for and against each side. It may be argued that the individual is able to control society. This would be favourable for macro perspectives such as Marxism and functionalism. Positivism is the belief that the social world can be studied with the
Questionnaires and Structured Interviews
Questionnaires and Structured Interviews Sociologists are interested in many aspects of human behaviour that are the result of the social context in which we live. Sociologists have developed many theories and arguments to explain human behaviour. Although they often disagree with each other's theories, they all agree that theories and arguments should all be based on sound evidence, and that to collect this evidence, empirical research needs to be carried out. Thus, scientific research is the only valid form of research. The structural view of society dominated early sociology, and according to this view society is made up of structures that determine how humans behave. The structures are not dependent on particular individuals but have an existence of their own. The structures that make up society are its norms (expected ways of behaving) and its values (expected ways of thinking). Sociologists have developed a wide range of techniques, or methods, for collecting evidence about human behaviour. The different methods produce different types of evidence. Many Sociologists debate about the value of different types of data and their interpretation of human behaviour. A questionnaire is a list of questions, by which there can be multiple choice answers or space for opinions. A structured interview is a sequence of questions asked to a person face-to-face designed to
Who are you? Discuss and evaluate how the development of self is affected by factors other than the individual.
Who are you? Discuss and evaluate how the development of self is affected by factors other than the individual. The question who are you? Pertains to answer how an individual interacts and is perceived by themselves. According to Burns (1980), the self is the set of attitudes a person holds towards himself. Psychologists observing individual thoughts, feelings and reactions to the environment from a variety of paradigms derive the summation of these perceptions. This essay will focus on a social psychological viewpoint and will look at how the self-concept is constructed and factors relevant to the development of self- esteem. According to Mead the development of the self is rooted in childhood through symbolic interactionism. Symbolic interactionism is when an individual is able to look at the world from another's viewpoint. Mead explains how humans act towards others in terms of their meanings. Interacting through communication, primarily language enables the opportunity for transference of another's meanings to be learnt, hence the process of the development of the self. Initially the self-development process is through remembered parental reaction towards an action, which the child often categorizes as good or bad. The next developmental stage of the self is the child's participation of role play, where by acting out as mummy, daddy etc, the child is understanding and
