unit 8 - lecture notes Flashcards
What is the central debate of sociology?
Agency versus structure
What is the argument of agency in regards to sociology?
People are free agents and able to choose their actions and interactions.
What is the argument of structure in regards to sociology?
People are constrained by social structure which removes the individual of their own agency.
What’s important to remember in regards to defining a situation?
The definition of any situation is only an interpretation. Your response is the consequence of your interpretation.
The definition of any given situation is not constructed but it is instead?
The definition of any situation is selected from previous situations.
What happens when your own definition of the situation is incorrect?
When social order is not continuous it must be negotiated; this includes bargaining or attempting to coordinate your activity in some way.
What kind of study was conducted by Glaser and Strauss in the 1960s?
Is a study exploring different awareness contexts.
ex. What I know about you and what I think you know about me.
How was the awareness context study conducted by Glaser and Strauss? What was discovered?
The study happened within the context of the complex interaction of a terminally ill patient and the nurses and doctors that attend to the patient.
Four different kinds of awareness contexts were observed:
1. Open
2. Closed
3. Suspicious
4. Pretence
Explain the four different kinds of awareness contexts as observed by Glaser and Strauss.
- Open - Each person knows the other’s identity.
- Closed - The nurse knows the patient is dying, but the patient does not know.
- Suspicious - One person suspects the true identity of the other or suspects the other’s view of their own identity.
- Pretence - Both parties know the patient is dying but pretend it’s not true.
What were the two conclusions made from the awareness context study conducted by Glaser and Strauss?
- Four different kinds of awareness contexts were observed.
- The awareness context of the situation is highly formative of the interaction itself.
Why does social order exist?
Social order exists because people
1. constantly construct it,
2. are constrained by it,
3. perform it,
4. and reproduce it.
What is the purpose of a social role in any situation?
In any situation, the social role, will provide normative expectations on how we behave and everyone else should behave.
In relation to social roles and identities, what is the macro structural approach?
It emphasizes structure and is passive; a top-down approach.
What are 7 types of social rules and identities within a macrostructural approach?
- Status
- Role
- Status set and role set
- Master status
- Role strain
- Role conflict
- Role exit
In relation to the macrostructural approach of social roles and identities, what is the relevance of status?
Status is the basic building block of society and social structure; it is who you are, not what you do.
In relation to the macrostructural approach of social roles and identities, what is the relevance of role?
Role includes both scripts and claims and can be described as either ascribed roles or achieved roles.
In relation to the macrostructural approach of social roles and identities, what is the relevance of a status set and a role set?
Every status position held in society has its own role ascribed to it.
In relation to the macrostructural approach of social roles and identities, how is a master status assigned?
It can be:
1. Ascribed
2. Achieved
3. Fixed
4. Fluid
In relation to the macrostructural approach of social roles and identities, how does role strain occur?
There can be three causes:
1. Role performance does NOT match expectation.
2. Too many expectations in a skill set.
3. Evaluation criteria is unclear.
When understanding the purpose of a status and role, how can it best be explained?
An individual holds a status, they perform a role.
In relation to social roles and identities, what is the microstructural approach?
It emphasizes agency; it is an active, bottom up approach. Argues that people construct their own reality, that roles are negotiated.
Social interaction consists of what?
- discourse
- appearance
- behaviour
- manner
In relation to social rules and identities within a microstructural approach, what are 4 notable concepts? Briefly explain.
- Role taking- happens unconsciously; more cognitive and empathetic.
- Altercasting- self fulfilling prophecy; forcing people to act or think a certain way.
- role making
- Self identity- the self is a social product; and outgrowth of interaction with other people.
What are 7 forms of communication?
- Impression management
- Disclaimers
- Accounts
- Motive Talk
- Teamwork
- Facial Expression
- Emotion Work
Regarding forms of communication, impression management can best be understood how?
- Impressions given are controlled and deliberate v. uncontrolled and done unwittingly.
- Front stage v. Backstage
Regarding forms of communication, what purpose do disclaimers serve?
Disclaimers convey that the individual is not willing to modify their behavior so instead they will give a plead at the beginning to attempt to get permission.
Regarding forms of communication, what are the two basic sub categories of accounts?
- Excuse
- Justification
Regarding forms of communication, How can motive talk be understood?
Motive talk inputs a motive to the actor without necessarily identifying the motivation.
Regarding forms of communication, what is the difference between motivation and a motive?
- Motivation is a stimulus that caused an individual to say or do something.
- Motive is the explanation for the action after the fact.
Regarding forms of communication, emotion work was first spoken about by whom? What are aspects of emotion work?
- First spoken out about by Arlie Hochschild.
- Emotion work includes “feeling rules” as well as “feeling work.”
In relation to emotion work, what are two aspects that are part of feeling work?
- Superficial impression management
- Deep manipulation of her own feelings to eliminate the “discrepancy”.
In relation to interaction and communication, what are two forms of interactions?
- Territorial
- Non-verbal communication
What are the two types of territoriality?
- defining types of territories
- managing personal space
In relation to territoriality, what are three different types of territories?
- Public
- Interactional
- Home
In relation to territoriality, what are the three ways an individual can manage personal space?
- Occupying personal space
- the dominate person has the most space. - Controlling personal space
- Encroachment
In relation to personal space, describe three types of encroachment.
- Violation - unwarranted use of another’s territory.
- Invasion - attempt to take over another’s territory.
- Contamination - defiling another’s territory.
What are some examples of nonverbal communication?
- gestures
- pitch of voice
- posture
- body language
- eye contact
