Unit 1 Flashcards
Define Marginized
treat (a person, group, or concept) as insignificant or peripheral.
Define Sociology
The word "sociology" is a term coined by Auguste Comte in the 1800's who considered it "the study of human social life". Perhaps the best view of sociology, or how it is best understood is not so much as a body of knowledge, but rather a way of thinking and especially of asking questions about different aspects of social life. Social life is broad and encompassing, few fields have such scope. Sociology's subject matter ranges from the intimate family setting to the hostile mob. From crime to religion. From divisions of race and social class to shared beliefs of a common culture. From the "sociology of work" to the...sociology of sport. MacPherson (1989) suggests that sociology is "the science that describes and conducts theories to explain the social relationships that make up society". Ok, so is sociology a science? Sociology borrows the same concept of science that has meaning for physicists and biologists. Science is the careful description of the real world and construction and validation of theories about the real world. So sociology has the same goal as all other science based studies: to describe and explain through the testing of theories.
Explain Theory
A tentative explanation of observable reality which forms the basis for predicting future events.
Just to differentiate between what sociologists do as compared to what psychologists do…psychologists study what goes on (behaviour, attributes, processes) inside people. For example, a psychologist would look at how people respond to stress. Sociologists focus on the reality outside and around individuals. For example, which situations around people creates stress?
Define Social relationships
This is how people’s social actions affect others. This is what binds people together. Sociology then looks at the social bonds that connect individuals in groups and societies.
Define society
A collection of social relationships. The reality is that we do not live in social isolation, the social contact that we have with a myriad of people throughout our lifespan shapes not only who we are but what we do. Our interpretation of a situation is greatly influenced by our social circle. Ever go to a movie with a group of friends and come away saying how great it was, having seen the movie previously on your own when you thought it…well, sucked?! In other words our social relationships or the society around us influences our social action
Name three factors that could effect our social actions?
1) our social environment
2) our social relationships
3) our social dynamics- e.g. significant individuals in our life who influences our social action…these individuals may change throughout our life cycle.
Define cultural content
we should make a distinction between “society” and “culture”. Society focuses on the interactions among groups of people. Culture emphasizes the appropriateness of actions and behaviours shared by members of the group
Define culture
A design for living that consists of objects, values, behaviours, norms and other characteristics shared by individuals who assume a role as members of society (Bryant, 1997). Culture refers to the symbols, social institutions, values, language and technology that make up our world. It’s how we define who we are (Claire, 2000).
Components of Culture
1) Symbols
2) Social and Economic institutions
3) Normative Behavior
4) Language
5) Technology
Define Symbols
objects have a greater significance beyond their mere existence. For example the Canadian flag, a wedding ring, the Stanley Cup, the Olympic ovals..
Define Social and Economic institutions
These are the social organizations and structures that facilitate the normal processes of human life. The hospital you were born in would be one of these social structures. The university you are presently attending qualifies, as does the church you may or may not attend…you get the picture. Some social institutions are more important than others depending on the society. For example, government and the structures affiliated with government are very important in Canadian culture. In some cultures, religious institutions figure prominently, less so in other cultures.
Define: Normative Behaviour
We usually behave in the way other people “expect” us to behave. When we behave in a way the violates accepted norms, (we’re caught going 110 km/hr in a 50 km. zone…) then there are sanctions to penalize us.
Define: Language
How we communicate is an essential part of culture. Think about how the way you communicate with those in your culture which acts as a way to connect you with that group. It can also be a way of distinguishing you as separate from the mainstream culture. Several years ago, my son Bryce took up skateboarding or “skating”. I had to learn the inner workings of the skater’s dialogue to understand what he was trying to say. Words like “ollie”, “trucks”, “kick-flip”, “pop shuv-it” and “busting some knarly moves” became part of his conversations. Language also shapes how we view the world. It can also be emotional, think how just one word can evoke so much emotion! When we relate language to sport, just think about how many turns of phrase we use that we have borrowed from sport jargon.
Ok, here’s a few…how many more can you think of?
Some sport sociologists have observed that sport language tends to be “male dominated”…ok, I can think of more crude examples of sport jargon dialogue…The reality is that if you change the language, you can also change perceptions!
Define Technology
does technology have an impact on culture? You bet. Think how cultures have changed and are continuing to change with the advent of the automobile, air travel, television, the Internet, Smartphones, androids and tablets…online courses, online degrees….
Define Sport
This comes from the Middle English word, “disport” meaning that the activity provided amusement, diversion and fun (LeClaire,1999)
