psych, soc, anthro Flashcards
what do social scientists use
- Case studies
- Experiments
- Interviews
- Surveys
- Ethnographies
- Longitudinal studies
what are the types of quantitive data
- counter
- measure of physial objects
- sensory calculation
- projection of data
- quantifiion of qualiivey etities
what is psychology
social change refers to the transformation of a person’s attitudes, beliefs, and behaviours and the effect of these transformations on the whole group or society
Psychological Schools of Thought
- Psychoanalytic Theory
- Behaviorism (classical and operant conditioning)
- Social Learning Theory (Social Cognitive Theory)
for each theory of psych you should be able to
- Define the theory
- Theorist(s) involved
- Main ideas
- Application to human behaviour and social change
- Criticisms of theory
Psychoanalytic Theory
- The mind is divided into two parts: the conscious mind, and the subconscious mind
- We are aware of our conscious mind, but generally speaking, NOT our subconscious mind
- Psychoanalysts suggest that our subconscious mind determines much of our personality and our behaviours
Sigmund Freud 1856 -1939
- Suggested our early childhood experiences - especially with parents and family - are stored in our unconscious mind
- Unresolved issues (eg: trauma) can be disproportionately influential
PSYCHOANALYTIC theory
the conscious
the small amount of mental activiey we know about
the subconsious
things we could be aware of if we wanted or tried
the unconious
things we are unaware of and can not become aware of
id
the part of the unconsious mind and compreiss of the two instricts eros and thanos
II. Behaviorism Theory
john b Watson
- Behaviorists believe that human behavior can be predicted, measured, and ultimately influenced by environmental factors
- These factors are often referred to as conditions (conditioning)
Classical Conditioning
Classical conditioning occurs when the strength of a behavior is modified by reinforcement or punishment
INVOLUNTARTRY
ringing the bell for the dog when eatting, dog slobbres, ring bell, dog slobbers
who is the founding father of classicall conditioning
Ivan Pavlov, 1849-1936
Operant Conditioning
- Operant conditioning is a type of associative learning process through which the strength of a behavior is also modified by reinforcement or punishment
( rewards for good grades lead to studying more)
VOLUNTARY
who is the founding father of operant conditioning
B.F.Skinner, 1904-1990
Skinner Operant Condtioning Behaviour Modification
Positive punishment = if you do something society disapproves of, society will punish you
Positive reinforcement = rewards for good behaviour
Social Learning Theory
- Social learning theorists believe that people learn new behaviors and information by observing those around them
- Jean Jacques Rousseau suggested that in our natural state, humans are born good, but that society corrupts us
Who is the founding father of social learning theory
Albert Bandura 1925 -2021
Most behaviour is learned through
observation, imitation, and modelled behaviours
PSYCH SUMM:
understanding unconscious desires and internal motivations (Psychoanalytic theory)
using reinforcement and punishment (Behaviorism Theory)
learning through observation (Social Learning Theory)
Sociological approach to Social Change
- Study interactions and conflicts within groups to determine how society functions;
- They theorize on the nature of changes that bring about social order and social stability;
- They determine whether changes in society are predictable or unpredictable, whether they are gradual or sudden, and whether changes occur spontaneously or follow a specific course.
Sociological Schools of Thought
- Structural-Functionalism
- Neo-Marxism
- Symbolic Interactionism
- Feminist Theory
- Inclusionism
Functionalism
- Functionalism analyzes how society functions by studying the roles and relationships of social institutions.
- A macro level theory that suggest societies are complex structures and that all the institutions within it work together to help it be successful and stable
- The whole structure of society is interconnected and accountable to the stability of society
Who is the father of functionalism
Émile Durkheim, 1858 -1917
social struccture
- faith
- ritual
- econmy
- eductaion
- family
are all tied together with stablity
Conflict Theories
- Conflict theory views society as composed of groups with unequal power and conflicting values and interests.
- A macro level group of theories that suggest the elements of society are in constant conflict with each other for limited resources
- are materialistic ( money, resources, power, etc.)
- critique existing social arrangements
- promote/endorse political reform/revolution/change
- focus on power struggles between the elements of society
Conflict Theory - Neo-Marxism
- Economic power is the basis of political power, so wealth is the key to understanding society
- bourgeoisie (super rich) or proletariat (working class)
Social change comes from economic change
who is the father of neo marxism
Karl Marx, 1818 -1883
Feminist Theory
- Feminist theory considers power in relation to gender and analyzes how gender informs both microinteractions and the macro social system.
- Most of the world’s social structures were made by men, for men, and have greatly undervalued the role of women
- Institutions must recognize their sexist nature to generate change
who is the mother of feminist theory
Mary Wollstonecraft, 1759 -1797
Symbolic Interaction Theory
- Symbolic interactionists argue that interactions between individuals create rules and meanings that then influence and structure their interactions
- A micro level theory that investigates how people interact
- Humans impart meaning to all manner of symbols and that determines how they interact with society (kiss, bow, shake)
- Individual behavior is formed through interaction with others, shaped by shared meanings, orientations, and assumptions
- The human brain intervenes between what we observe and how we act
Inclusionism
- Inclusionists recognize that conflict takes place in society between ethnic, racial, and religious groups in a society.
- All differing ethnic experiences must be considered
- Judging society through the eyes of the majority leads to misunderstanding
ANTHROPOLOGY
is the scientific study of humanity, concerned with human behavior, human biology, cultures, societies, and linguistics, in both the present and past (including past human species).
Anthropological approach to Social Change
- investigate what internal and external factors are most significant in leading to cultural change
- evaluate what causes shifts in the values and norms of a culture’s members
- question how important technological change is as a factor in an observed cultural change
- consider how changes to the environment result in changes to the culture
Anthropology Schools of Thought
- Physical Anthropology
- Cultural Anthropology
- Archaeology
- Linguistic Anthropology
Physical Anthropology
- studying evolution
human adaptability and variation
the fossil record of human evolution
genetic inheritance
primatology (apes)
forensics - studying evolution
- human adaptability and variation
-the fossil record of human evolution - genetic inheritance
- primatology (apes)
- forensics
Cultural Anthropology
- Cultural anthropology is the study of human cultures around the world.
- cultural development
- ethnocentrism
- communication and survival
- economic patterns
- family patterns or kinship
- sex & marriage
- social control, political organization, class
- ethnicity, gender, religion and cultural change
Archaeology
- Archaeology is the study of the material remains of human cultures around the world.
- early history of cultures around the world
- major trends in cultural evolution
- techniques for finding, excavating, dating, and analyzing material remains of past societies
IV. Linguistic Anthropology
- Linguistic anthropology is the study of human languages.
- studies the role of language in community
- national and cross cultural interactions
- it is concerned with the social and cultural factors that underlie people’s use of language to share information and shape cultures and community life
Anthropological Schools of Thought, Functionalism
a theory stressing the importance of interdependence among all behavior patterns and institutions within a social system to its long-term survival.
- all cultures develop to deal with the same problems that human groups around the world face by meeting physical or psychological needs
- every custom or practice in a culture serves a purpose or function
Anthropological Schools of Thought, Cultural Materialism:
Cultural materialism promotes the idea that ”material realities” (such as technological, economic and reproductive (demographic) factors) mold and influence culture.
- takes the viewpoint that the best way to understand human culture is to examine its most basic material conditions - climate + geography = food supply
- it is based on the simple idea that human social life is a response to the practical problems of earthly existence.
Anthropological Schools of Thought,
Cultural Materialism understanding:
Infrastructure: Technological, economic and demographic features of a culture - how people attend to basic needs
Structure: Organizational features of a culture - distribution of wealth /laws /political systems/demographics, kinship, etc.
Superstructure: Ideological features of a culture - what they value and believe, religions, etc.
Anthropology and Social Change
*Anthropologists investigate what internal or external factors were most significant in leading to cultural change.
Internal = invention
An invention can be a new product, idea, or social pattern that affects the way large groups conduct their daily lives.
External = diffusion and acculturation
Diffusion refers to the spread of a cultural trait from one society to another through social contact. When different cultural groups come into contact with one another, whether through trade, migration, or war, traits of one group will spread to the other.
Acculturation
the process of contact, exposure and exchange of ideas between different cultures resulting in adaptations and changes to both groups.
What is Culture?
Culture is “that complex whole which includes knowledge, beliefs, art, laws, morals, custom, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society.” Sir E. B. Tylor (1871)
how are ways that society functions
- culture
- gender
- social relationships
- social phenomenon
particiapant observation
the careful watching of a group; in some cases living with its members and practicing in their culture
qualitative data
subjective information expressed in words or actions
e.g interviews, observations
quantitative data
information that is measured numerically
e.g surveys, lab-based observations
ANTHRO: acculturation
the process of contact of ideas between different cultures that result in adaption and changes to both groups
ANTHRO: diffusion
the spread of a cultural trait from one society to another through social contact
ANTHRO: superstructure
the ideology of a culture, its beliefs and values, such as religion
ANTHRO: structure
structure is how the culture is organized such a political systems, laws, and families
ANTHRO: Infrastructure
the technological, economic, and demographic factors of a culture. Infrastructure is how people attend to their basic needs of survival and reproduction. Changes to a demographic or economics will change the organization and ideology of a culture
ANTHRO: cultural materialism
- the physical materials, conditions, and economic activity of an environment determine how the ideas and ideology of a culture develop
- cultural change occurs within a framework of 3 levels: infrastructure, structure, and superstructure
father of cultural materialism
Marvin Harris, (1927-2001)
ANTHRO: functionalism
- the function of beleifs and instutiuions ina society is to meet the needs of the majority of its members
- change occurs by consensus, based on shared values and norms
who is the father of functionalism
Bronislaw Malinowski (1884-1942)
mircosociology
the study of social encounters, experiences, roles, and interactions of individuals and small groups in society
the study of small groups and individuals within a society
cognitive consistency
the tendency of individuals to seek out stimuli that are consistent with your thoughts, attitudes and behaviours and limit exposure to those that are inconsistent
cognitive dissonance
the state of having inconsistent thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes
how do you change your dissonance?
change behaviour or to amke it consistent with your attitude or change your attitude
macrosociology
a sociological approach that analyzes social systems on a large scale
social paradigm shift
when a new set of ideals, beliefs and values become strong enough to affect and change the way individuals see and perceive reality
paradigm father
thomas kuhn (1922-1996)
confiermation bias
the tendency among people to favour information the confirms their beliefs and perceptions about an issue regardless of whether the information is accurate or valid
external factors influencing change: physical environment
climate, weather vegetation, animal populations and humans all affect the physical environment.
e.g natural disasters, pollution, global warming.
tsunamis wiping out towns and destabilizing social institutions
external factors influencing change: population changes
Immigration and emigration have important implications for society and social change. creating diverse cites and challenging the social systems.
e.g jobs, employment
external factors influencing change: proximity
proximity of a cultural group to other distinct cultural groups affects how that society changes. societies located near each other tend to change and develop more rapidly than those located in isolated areas
intercultural contact
exchanges between different cultures
collectivist society
a society in which individual are dependent on the group and person needs are secondary to the group needs
individual society
a society that values autonomy, freedom and competition as well as personal rights and freedoms
ethnocentrism
the belief that one’s own culture, nation or ethic group is superior to all others
external factors influencing change: social environment, culture, and social values
collectivist society and individual societies
external factors influencing change: technology
the development and use of technology in society has wide-reaching implications on a cultures social institutions, customs and values.
theories of change: evolutionary theroy of change
all societies evolve from simple beginnings and over time become more complex. the notion is progress. societies primary goal should be its evolution from simple to sophisticated
theories of change: cyclical theory of change
change in society is much like changing seasons. each distance season has different conditions. trends, traditions, beliefs and values in society are cyclical coming into fashion nin one period an falling out of favour in another .l
the challenge and response theory of change
Arnold Toynbee, the ability to respond successfully to threats, will determine a society’s fate. careful not to make the same mistakes
the functionalist theory of change
Auguste Comte. Many aspects of social life could be understood by the social statics and the social dynamics they produced.
society is affected by social institutions
the conflict theory of change
groups with opposing interests conflict. the struggle does not result soely from the conflict between the rich and the poor, but the strain between those with authority (command class) and those without (obey class) forced to follow
malcom gladwell
- the law of the few
- relies on the talent of a small group of motivated individuals
- 20% of the pop who do 80% of the work
connectors: special talent to connect with others and bring people together
mavens: ability to acquire and share info “word of mouth”
salesmen: popular charismatic people with the power to persuade and negation with others
- stickiness factor
- presentation of ideas that the audience remembers and understands the content - the power of context
- linked to the conditions and circumstances of the time and place they occur
