Allan Johnson Flashcards
According to Johnson, what is sociology as a discipline concerned with?
Sociology is concerned with exploring relationships between individuals, groups, and social system
Adopts perspective we are always participating in something larger than ourselves
NOT INDIVIDUAL
Johnson says about trees and forest analogy
Individual trees, and individual trees make a forest
What is Allan Johnson’s basic argument in the chapters of The Forest and the Trees we read for class?
Systems are not individuals and individuals are not system
Sociology is more than individuals choice, but individuals participate in social system
Often take path of least resistance
What does Johnson say about the relationship between individuals and social systems?
Individualism does not work
Have to understand how individuals participate in social systems to create more just society
What does he say prevents us from effectively tackling injustice and inequality?
Individualism: tendency to adopt individualistic theories about social problems
People not looking at their own privilege and taking path of least resistance
How does a system that is based on individualism explain social problems?
Insufficient as individuals are different than the relationships they have with other people in society
People exist in relation to each other and must see how they participate in systems in society
People avoid topic to ignore that they are the problem
How does Johnson describe “individualism”?
belief that world can be best understood by seeing people as individuals
Social problems based on individual character
Ex. personalities, biographies, feelings
People aren’t _____ and _____ aren’t people
Systems
Why does Johnson say that privilege (white privilege, among others) is the biggest barrier to creating a more just society?
People are reluctant and avoid talking about privilege as individuals feel uncomfortable, guilty, defensive violent
Easier to think equal opportunity is available to everyone and live in equal society
Path of least resistance for those of us have privilege
Fear what would be required of us if we acknowledge our privilege
What is, according to Johnson, the “path of least resistance” when it comes to making decisions in society?
Path of least resistance is path that follows social norms and values of a society, not opposing them
Affects how we think, feel and behave
Johnson says that we can be in multiple social systems simultaneously. What are some social groups that shape our participation in social life?
We are all participating in multiple, intersecting social systems
Ex.
Microlevel (contained): families
Mesolevel (medium): communities, schools
MacroleveL; healthcare systems, law and legislation
How does one’s involvement in multiple systems shape experiences in healthcare or health outcomes? Could you apply these ideas to an example from lecture or readings?
Involvement in multiple systems can influence people’s experience as they participate in social life
Shapes experience with influence, connections, resources
Ex. access to healthcare, best treatments to disease
