The study of human beings in social groups * Understanding the
problems that face individuals by exploring the ways in which the
structure of society and its institutions create and reinforce
those the problems.
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This unit focuses on some of the most important sociological
concepts. We will look at how human beings are raised to become
part of their society... ...We will also look at some of the
biggest social influences that create and reinforce the identities
of people and that make individuals and groups behave in particular
ways.
Slide 5
A form of organisation... ...And also, the ways in which the
behaviours of members of the organisation are regulated. This
involves co-operation between individuals in order to produce the
things they need to survive.
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Individually: List a minimum of five animals, other than human
beings, that live in organised societies. Ext: - What is the
benefit of living in a social group for these animals?
Slide 7
How do social animals know what part to play in their society?
Is there any difference between the behaviour of the species below
in different geographical locations?
Slide 8
We can develop an understanding of human behaviour by examining
non-human societies. These can show how a society can be organised
on the basis of instinct. However, human societies are not
organised purely by instinct. We can see this, as the behaviour of
human beings is very different in different societies...
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Slide 10
Also known as biological determinism versus social determinism.
What does this mean?
Slide 11
Discuss in Pairs: Identify five aspects of a person that are
genetically determined, and five aspects that are socially
determined. Ext: - To what extent can some of these things be
both?
Slide 12
Will and Jaden Smith Will Smith, star of Bad Boys 2 is the
greatest actor the world has ever seen. His son Jaden Smith, star
of the remake of The Karate Kid is increasingly considered to be
the second best actor the world has ever seen. To what extent is
Jadens acting ability the result of nature or nurture?
Slide 13
Jaden and Will both have similar personalities and behavioural
traits that have enabled them to become incredible actors. They are
both confident, eloquent, intelligent, charismatic etc. Since
genetic factors determine abilities and personalities, Jaden must
have inherited these traits from his father. By this logic, even if
Jaden had been adopted by someone else as a baby and never known
Will, he would still have had a good chance of becoming a
successful actor.
Slide 14
Jaden was raised in a household where acting was valued and his
fathers job and status was considered the norm. The
behavioural/personality traits associated with acting would have
been actively encouraged by his parents. It is often socially
expected that boys follow in their fathers footsteps. Jaden had
access to money and contacts through his family that enabled him to
launch an acting career. Jaden got media attention that boosted his
celebrity status because of who his father is. By this logic, if
Jaden had been adopted as a baby (by someone who wasnt a celebrity)
and never known Will, it is unlikely he would have become an actor,
let alone a successful one.
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1. Cesare Lombroso The potential to be criminal is innate. You
are either born with the potential to do evil or you are not.
Criminals can in fact be identified by certain physical features
(e.g. fleshy lips, bald heads, long arms...). Why might this be a
dangerous view?
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2. Simon Baron-Cohen Males and females have different brains;
this difference means men are more likely to be good at working
with computers and women more likely to be good at working with
people. Why might this be a dangerous view?
Slide 17
The biological determinist view can be a dangerous one. It has
and still sometimes is used to justify inequality, discrimination
and ill-treatment......In extreme cases, it has been used to
justify slavery and genocide.
Slide 18
This view is preferred by sociologists. Genes have little or no
effect on behaviour. Institutions such as family, friends,
religion, education and mass media etc. make you who you are,
through the processes of socialisation. Most if not all
sociologists are therefore social determinists.
Slide 19
In groups, read through the case studies. Decide which elements
of the individuals in the studies are biologically determined and
which are socially determined. Which can be attributed to both?
Explain why.
Slide 20
It is impossible to say for certain; various experiments may be
able to shed some light on the truth: 1. Twin Studies 2. Adoption
Studies 3. The Forbidden Experiment But there are too many
variables to come to a solid conclusion and so any answer is
usually a compromise.
Slide 21
Feral children can also give an insight into the importance of
culture and socialisation. Feral children studied lacked things
like: A sense of humour/ability to laugh; toilet training; table
manners; sense of decorum; sense of music/ability to sing; ability
to show affection and empathy. These things are not instinctive;
they are cultural products, learned through socialisation. (We know
they are cultural products because all of the above are done very
differently by different cultures).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STn3bpTTU6c
Slide 22
Write a short essay or blog (500-1000 words) describing how you
think your life might be different if you had been raised outside
of society... Incorporate as many of the concepts used so far as
you can! Due: Next Lesson
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Slide 24
Complete the activity comparing an alien culture to that of our
own. A vital tool in sociology is the ability to compare cultures;
to understand that what is familiar in one culture can be
completely bizarre to another and why this is!
Slide 25
[In 1952, Kroeber and Kluckholm uncovered 200 definitions of
the word culture!!!] Culture is a way of life. (Raymond Williams;
1983) Culture is the learned, shared behaviour of members of a
society. Culture included the beliefs of a society and the creative
activities engaged in by social groups.
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Features of a Culture Symbols Language /accent Beliefs (Values)
Attitudes to life Forms of Behaviour (Norms)
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What symbols, languages, accents, beliefs, attitudes and
behaviours would you associate with British culture? 5 mins : Then
Feedback...
Slide 28
There may or may not be an overriding British culture that
unites British society.....Within British society, there are
innumerable smaller cultures, which could be: National cultures
(e.g. English, Welsh, Chinese) Religious groups (e.g. Buddhists,
Hindus, Quakers) Local/regional cultures (e.g. Geordies,
travellers, Cornish)
Slide 29
In addition, there are seven key types of culture found within
the UK that you need to be familiar with for this course. High
Culture Popular Culture Consumer Culture Global Culture Subculture
Cultural Diversity Multiculturalism
Slide 30
Studied by Leavis in the 1930s. The elite, upper-class in
society; those who have an ascribed status. Some argue high culture
operates a system of social closure: Not permitting access to
outsiders in order to maintain its exclusive position. What things
do you associated with high culture?
Slide 31
Some sociologists argue that high culture no longer exists. It
has traditionally been associated with the rich, but in the 21 st
Century, do all rich British people take part in high culture?
Slide 32
Popular culture is the opposite of high culture, because it is
for everyone. Shallow activities enjoyed by the masses The media
have created popular culture in the contemporary UK (Strinati;
1995) Popular culture unites people from all backgrounds into one
common culture.
Slide 33
The key feature of popular culture is that it is accessible to
everyone. With this in mind, in pairs, identify three pop culture
examples for each of the following: Newspapers TV Programmes
Holiday Destinations Sports
Slide 34
Increasingly, popular culture borrows ideas from high culture
and popularises it e.g. Golf Burberry check Il Divo Can you think
of any further examples? Popular culture also increasingly borrows
from subcultures (e.g. Leona Lewis covering Nine Inch Nails).
Slide 35
Many sociologists believe it is good, as it brings together
people from a wide range of backgrounds. Others, like Theodor
Adorno believe(d) that popular culture is a trick, that keeps the
masses focused on trivial matters, diverting their attention from
the things that really matter...
Slide 36
A culture within a culture. Subcultures have their own norms
and values (ways of behaving and thinking) that may be different
from those of wider society... ...Although usually, subcultures
still fit in to wider society. In pairs, identify a minimum of FIVE
subcultures found in the contemporary UK... Ext: - Identify TWO OR
MORE historic subcultures.
Slide 37
Subcultures can include youth movements, some religious groups
and any other groups that think/behave/look different. The vast
majority are linked to young people. Prior to the 1950s, there were
no real subcultures. Since then, there have been many and they have
changed over time, reflecting changes in society.
Slide 38
Pairs: Discuss (5 mins) 1. Are there a wide range of consumer
goods available (beyond the necessities)? 2. Is shopping considered
a leisure pursuit? 3. Are there lots of different types of shopping
available? 4. Is being in debt accepted as normal? 5. Is the
promotion and packaging of goods a large-scale business?
Slide 39
Celia Lury (1996) believed that a society in which these things
were true could be considered to have a consumer culture. This
basically means that the societys identity (and the identities of
its people) are partly portrayed through the goods that are bought
and sold. Generally, a consumer culture can only fully arise in an
economically strong society.
Slide 40
This means the world has become a smaller place; a global
village (McLury; 1989). Globalisation means that nations are no
longer isolated countries. What happens in one society can impact
another thousands of miles away... A global culture has formed
through the media as well as through travel/migration, education
etc. Some argue that globalisation basically means Americanisation.
https://www.youtube.com/wa tch?v=IUJbCcopv-E
Slide 41
Pairs (5 mins): Identify a minimum of five global companies
(companies/corporations that operate all over the world). Ext:- Can
you guess what the ten biggest companies in the world are?
Slide 42
http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/glo
bal500/2013/full_list/index.html?iid=G500_l p_toprr Discuss (small
groups): Think of three positive things and three negative things
about having a global culture.
Slide 43
Different ethnic groups living side by side in a society. In
the UK, around 11% of people are of BME (black and ethnic minority)
background. (ONS). This means the UK is probably a multicultural
society... ...However, multiculturalism is also about celebrating
the differences between groups and every group sharing the same
status.
Slide 44
There is debate about whether or not multiculturalism has been
a good thing or a bad thing for UK society. David Cameron fuelled
this debate further in 2011 when he claimed multiculturalism had
failed in the UK. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9s5zmO uVmc
Slide 45
Parekh (2006) sees cultural diversity as similar to
multiculturalism... ...However, cultural diversity is not just
about ethnicity. There are three forms: 1. Groups with distinct
ways of life who still serve the dominant culture (e.g. Gay people)
2. Groups who rebel against society (e.g. Reclaim the Streets) 3.
Ethnic groups with long established communities.
Slide 46
Outline and explain the concept of popular culture [8] Outline
and explain two ways in which the UK can be said to have a consumer
culture [16] (30 mins)