Social Institutions Flashcards
What is a social institution? /4
patterned relationships organized around a central activity or social need
exist to get things done
how they are organized and operate varies across societies
change over time
Why is sports a social institution? /6
seen as a social phenomenon
related to the social context and influencing that context, and the individuals that participate
found in almost all societies
part of a that society’s practices– social construct
important part of our social life
strongly connected with other social institutions
What are sports? /3
institutionalized competitive activities
involve rigorous exertion or the use of relatively complex physical skills
participants motivated by personal enjoyment and external rewards
How des functionalism view sports?
connected to and contributes to the overall system
How does conflict theory view sports? /5
controlled by those with money, power, and prestige;
used as spectator events to make money
distract the poor (sports (religion) are the opiate of the people)
promote capitalist values (competition and consumption)
reflect social inequalities.
How does the feminist theory view sports? /2
a a reflection of masculinity,
controlled by men for men
How does interaction symbolism view sports? /2
create a reality
influences our identity
What are media? /2
devices–the technologies
refer to companies that disseminate information on these devices, even the content of the messages
Why is media important? /5
pervasive
source of information
persuasive
entertainment
social cohesion
How is media pervasive?
it’s all around us
How is media a source of information?
we learn about the world around us
How is media entertaining? /2
all media have an entertainment component
compete for our attention
How is media persuasive? /3
people form opinions based on what they see or hear
advertisements
news
What are advertisements? /2
most obviously persuasive messages
persuade you to do something or to buy something
What is the news? /2
are assumed to be neutral and factual
contains inherent biases, from what stories are chosen to be shown, to how these stories are portrayed
How is media a social cohesion? /2
mass media creates shared experiences for large numbers of people
a base for a sense of community
What is media literacy? /3
understanding certain features of the media
asking key questions about the messages we receive
understanding media in our own lives
What is a media literacy feature? /6
all messages are constructed
use a creative language
follows its own rules
different people experience the same media message differently
embedded values and points of view
created to make money or gain power
What are the media literacy key questions? /5
who constructs the messages?
what creative techniques are used to get attention
how might others understand the message differently from me?
what values and opinions are represented in a particular message?
why is this message being sent?
How does functionalism view the media? /3
serves a function in society
create solidarity by transmitting standardized messages
viewed by mass audiences
How does the conflict theory view media? /3
reflection of class interests
tools in the hands of a dominant class
transmit messages that are in their own best interest
How does the feminist theory view media?
controlled by men and reflects their interests
How does symbolic interactionism view media?
interpreted by each individual according to their situation
What is music? /4
the science or art of ordering tones or sounds in succession, in combination, and in temporal relationships
produce a composition having unity and continuity
vocal, instrumental, or mechanical sounds having rhythm, melody, or harmony
an agreeable sound
What is a rhythm? /2
pattern
the beat
What is a melody? /2
sequence of notes
the tune
What is a harmony?
combinations of notes that sound good together
Why is music a social institution? /3
important part of our social life
ubiquitous - found in all societies
strongly connected with other social institutions
How does functionalism view music? /2
create solidarity
transmit cultural knowledge
How does the conflict theory view music?
music industry benefits certain people, but not everyone
How does the feminist theory view music?
music industry is controlled by men and reflects their interests
How does symbolic interactionism view music?
symbolic language which is interpreted by each individual according to their situation