CHAPTER 3 - Society and individuals

Question 1

Choice biography

Answer 1

Choice biography is the idea that modern individuals can make choices about their lives and construct their narratives.

Question 2

Cultural liberation

Answer 2

Cultural liberation is the concept of freeing oneself from oppressive cultural traditions and norms.

Question 3

Detraditionalisation

Answer 3

Detraditionalisation refers to the declining influence of traditional social norms, customs and values.

Question 4

Disembedding of social relations

Answer 4

Disembedding of social relations refers to the increasing ability of social institutions and networks to operate without regard for local contexts.

Question 5

Expert system

Answer 5

Expert system is the idea that complex institutional systems are increasingly governed by experts.

Question 6

Faceless relationships

Answer 6

Faceless relationships are social connections that lack depth and emotional engagement.

Question 7

Formability

Answer 7

Formability is the degree of structure and predictability in social interaction.

Question 8

Gemeinschaft

Answer 8

Gemeinschaft is a society characterized by close-knit, cohesive social bonds rooted in shared traditions and values.

Question 9

Gesselschaft

Answer 9

Gesellschaft is a society characterized by impersonal, instrumental social relationships.

Question 10

Individualisation

Answer 10

Individualisation is the process by which modern societies emphasize individual autonomy and freedom over group or collective identities.

Question 11

Informal norms

Answer 11

Informal norms are social expectations that are not explicitly stated but are widely understood.

Question 12

Inner-directed

Answer 12

Inner-directed individuals rely on their inner values and goals to guide their actions.

Question 13

Institutionalised individualisation

Answer 13

Institutionalized individualization is the process by which individualism becomes entrenched as a social norm.

Question 14

Nuclear family

Answer 14

A nuclear family refers to a family group consisting of parents and their children.

Question 15

Ontologising

Answer 15

Ontologising is the act of treating social phenomena as though they have an inherent or natural existence.

Question 16

Other-directed

Answer 16

Other-directed individuals shape their actions to fit the expectations and opinions of others.

Question 17

Potentiation

Answer 17

Potentiation refers to the increasing power of individuals to shape their social environments.

Question 18

Reflexivity

Answer 18

Reflexivity is the capacity to reflect on one’s own thoughts and actions.

Question 19

Risk society

Answer 19

Risk society describes modern societies with an increasing focus on risk management.

Question 20

Separation of time and space

Answer 20

Separation of time and space is the idea that social interactions can now take place across different geographic and temporal locations.

Question 21

Social character

Answer 21

Social character refers to the typical attitudes, behaviours and dispositions of a society’s members.

Question 22

Social mobility

Answer 22

Social mobility describes the ease with which individuals can move up or down the social ladder.

Question 23

Social pattern

Answer 23

Social pattern refers to how social structures shape social behaviour.

Question 24

Social structure

Answer 24

Social structure is the network of social relationships and institutions that organize society.

Question 25

Socialisation

Answer 25

Socialisation is the lifelong process of learning social norms and values.

Question 26

Society types (traditional, modern, late modern)

Answer 26

1. Traditional societies are characterized by the dominance of customs, traditions, and long-standing social hierarchies. Social roles are often determined by factors such as gender, birthright, and religion, rather than individual achievement or merit. Traditional societies also tend to be rural, with smaller and more tightly-knit communities. The nuclear family is the primary unit of social organization in traditional societies.
2. Modern societies emerged with the onset of industrialization and are characterized by a shift away from tradition and towards rationalization, secularization, and individualism. In modern societies, social roles are more fluid and are often based on individual achievement. These societies are urban, and people tend to be more mobile and less connected to tight-knit communities. The nuclear family remains important, but other forms of family and household arrangements are also common.
3. Late modern societies are characterized by globalization, post-industrialization, and an increasing focus on reflexivity. Reflexivity refers to the capacity to reflect on one’s own thoughts and actions, and it is becoming more and more central to social life. Late modern societies are characterized by rapid change, social fragmentation, and a blurring of traditional social boundaries. The family remains important, but its form is becoming more varied and fluid, with many people choosing to live outside of traditional family structures. Late modern societies also tend to be more diverse in terms of culture, religion, and personal identity.

Question 27

Subjectivisation

Answer 27

Subjectivisation is the process by which subjective experience becomes increasingly important in social identity.

Question 28

Tradition-directed

Answer 28

Tradition-directed individuals are guided by the customs and values of their culture.

Question 29

Urbanisation

Answer 29

Urbanisation is the process by which more and more people come to live and work in cities.

Question 30

What are the differences between types of society?

Answer 30

Giddens discusses three different types of societies - traditional, modern and late modern - and highlights their distinguishing features. Traditional societies are characterized by custom and long-standing social hierarchies, while modern societies are more individualistic and emphasize rationalization and secularization. Late modernity is characterized by globalization, rapid change, social fragmentation, blurring of traditional social boundaries, and a strong focus on reflexivity.

Question 31

What is the significance of society for identity?

Answer 31

Society is significant for identity because it provides the framework for the formation of social identities. Society shapes the meanings attached to social categories such as gender, race and class. The social context influences how individuals perceive themselves, as well as how others perceive them.

Question 32

Why does my identity resemble someone else’s identity?

Answer 32

Identity formation is influenced by social structures, such as family, culture, and community. Your identity may resemble someone else’s identity because you have been socialized within similar social structures and are therefore exposed to similar values, beliefs, and attitudes. Identity formation is not solely an individual process, but rather one that is influenced by social factors.

Question 33

What characterises late modernity?

Answer 33

Late modernity is characterized by globalization, post-industrialization, and an increasing focus on reflexivity. Reflexivity refers to the capacity to reflect on one’s own thoughts and actions, and it is becoming more central to social life. Late modern societies are characterized by rapid change, social fragmentation, and a blurring of traditional social boundaries. The family remains important, but its form is becoming more varied and fluid, with many people choosing to live outside of traditional family structures.

Question 34

Why can dangers/risks be associated with the individual identity
formation process?

Answer 34

Giddens argues that the individual identity formation process can be associated with dangers and risks. As individuals become more focused on consolidating their personal identity, they are often less guided by traditional norms and more influenced by the media and other “expert” systems. This increased focus on self-realization and individual autonomy can lead to fragmentation of social bonds and contribute to feelings of isolation and insecurity. People may feel overwhelmed by the choices and possibilities offered by the modern world, which can generate stress and anxiety. The risks associated with individual identity formation can therefore be experienced as a loss of social support and increased uncertainty.