Sociology Scientific study of societies and how societies
interact with individuals
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Impression mgmt: the way you act to elicit a certain image with
others. Social Identity: the traits that others ascribe to you.
Social Self: the way you view yourself based on peoples reactions
to you. Microsociology: The study of the behavior of face to face
interactions
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a brief observation of others often provides a surprisingly
consistent view of a person. Students who observe a teacher,
without sound, for a couple of minutes rate them about the same 9
months later, after being in their class. #1stimpressionsmatter
Thin Slice observation
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Evolution presupposes that traits that aid survival are passed
on and those traits that harm us die out. Traits that aid survival
of the individual or the group are passed on, those that dont die
out. Evolutionary Psychology: study of psychological traits passed
on through evolution.
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Not being particularly strong or fast, organizing into
societies helped protect us. Our societies tend to be aggressive in
the search for resources and hierarchical in social structure.(what
Freud referred to as the Id, ego and superego). These fundamental
needs help explain why humans tend to be obedient and conforming.
Humans evolved to be social
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Having evolved from small tribal groups, we tend to like those
like ourselves and perceive strangers or strange situations to be
possible threats. This tendency explains the human need to conform
and obey those in authority. Evolved Society
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Sports LawsGovernment Religion (creation stories)Potty Training
Dancing Tool making Family eating (meat)Incest taboos Funeral
ceremoniesPersonal Names Gift Giving Medicines Music Property
rights Sociobiology: Societal behaviors common to all societies
that are passed on biological (genes)
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Humans tend to feel their own groups are better than other
peoples groups. Humans tend to suspicious of people who are
different than them. In Group and out Group bias
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Humans tend to assume members of out- groups to be the same in
their traits and dispositions, while their own in-group are made up
of many unique individuals, with varying dispositions, which change
depending on the situation. Attribution theory
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Think about when your friends speak of other groups, do you
assume theyre all alike, but believe your group members are all
different reacting to specific circumstances? The tendency to
assume people in other groups are all alike in their
traits/dispositions is committing a fundemental attribution error.
Fundamental Attribution Error
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Humans tend to think the world makes sense. When innocents die
with think there must have be a plan a reason. We think bad guys
will be caught. RANDOMNESS scares us. Think of 911 or the Snipers,
incontroled events. This tendency leads us to victim blaming:
assuming victims caused their own victimization: -Girls with short
skirts caused her rape or harassment. -Marginilized minorities
created their situation. Just World Phenomenon
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Often just labeling someone with a trait, will create the very
thing they are labeled, which they may not have had been before. If
you lable someone an angry person, it may cause them to be
frustrated and angry,when they werent angry before. Self-fulfilling
prophecies
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Stereotype threat is a well-documented and studied phenomenon.
Those who are marginalized in a society and then are reminded of
their group status (social identity), perform worse or better when
reminded of their status. Stereotype threat and self fulfilling
prophecies.
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If we assume members of out-groups have one trait or another
(greedy, laziness, aggressiveness, snobbery, whatever), we look for
that trait when we encounter a member of that group, we seek to
confirm our bias: Confirmation Bias Attitudes and behavior: the
Confirmation Bias.
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Once we have a belief (attitude) we cling to it, partially
because we seek confirming evidence and ignore evidence contrary to
our viewpoint. This dynamic leads to beliefs persisting, even
irrational beliefs. Belief perseverance
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After a group with similar beliefs forms, the members attitudes
tend to become more extreme, as they continually reinforce each
other views. # Group of environmentalist with moderate views become
a group, their views on the environment tend to grown more extreme.
Group Polarization
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Based on my attitudes and experiences, I make immediate
assumptions about new people I encounter. Remember: this system
evolved to make us safe, not fair. Therefore, the less I know the
more likely I am to make an unfair judgement or fundamental
attribution errors. Heuristics: mental shortcuts for making
decisions RAPIDLY
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Owner of 85 M. Spelling Manor, daughter of Russian
Oligarch
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Can be as simple as i before e except after c, it works mostly
or I got burned by fire once, so I wont touch this fire As to
people, stereotypes may be used to make that Heuristical decision.
Heuristics can be any shortcut
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So If I see a mean pitbull, Im far more likely to associate the
pitbull look with meanness. Reinforces stereotyping as biases are
confirmed, contrary evidence ignored. Heuristic decisions are
largely based on visual information and preexisting attitudes.
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So, if a Ferguson, Missouri policeman sees a big African
Amerian male, walking down the street, he thinks.... If Im an
African American male and I see a white policeman roll up on me, I
think.. ----But what do either REALLY know about each other. So if
I say______, you think_____
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Psychs call it thin slice decision making and it can be very
accurate, but never totally accurate: remember its to make you
safe, not fair. Essential to navigate a complex, fast moving world,
imagine if you always had to wait for evidence before deciding
about a new person you you encounter and whether or not theyre safe
or friendly or whatever. Heuristic happen in the blink of an
eye
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Middle East Timeline Circa 2000 B.C. Judaism established 0-33
Jesus Born crucified in Jerusalem 70 Romans expel Jews from
Palestine, diaspora begins. Christinaity gets a foothold in Roman
Empire. 300 Constantine makes Christianity ok, Roman moves to
Constantinople 400 Theodius makes Christianity of Roman/Byzantium
empire 300-600 Syria heart of Christian M.E.
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600 Islam established in Mecca 680Battle of Karbala,
Sunni/Shiite split Shiites (15%, dominent in Iran, Ayatollahs blood
descendents) followed Hussein, married to Mohammeds cousins
husband, Sunnis the Caliphs (85%) 610-700Islam Spread from Spain to
C. Asia
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Differences Because of the direct lineage of Ayatollahs to
Mohammed Shiites will worship at shrines to various martyrs and
Imams who have died. Conservative Sunnis see that as sacrilege as
they believe only God should be worshiped, therefore Shiites and
Alawhites are HERETICS.
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Shiites have Ayatollahs who are descendants of Ali Therefore
their Koranic interpretations are divine through Mohammed. Sunnis
have mullahs who are just learned layman. Ayatollah are religious
and political authorities,. Ayatollah Sistani in Iraq is probably
the most, at least one of the most, revered of the Ayatollahs and
may be keeping Shiites from responding to Sunni mosque attacks in
Iraq.
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Animosity Between the different sects have existed throughout
history, with Sunnis believing that Shiites were responsible for
allowing Mongols to invade the Arab world, and being
co-conspirators with the U.S. in occupying the holy places of Islam
Shiites have been the subject of persecution in the Muslim world.
The idea of conservative Sunnis connecting with Shiites (Iran) is
unlikely.
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Followers of Fatimah (Mohammeds daughter) and Ali Shiites
(Shia) about 15% of all Muslims, predominately in Iran and Iraq
where they are a majority population. Alawiites: small sect, makes
up 12% of Syrian population. They are the ethnic/religious power in
Syria, Assads power base.
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Jerusalem; the Center of the Universe
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Assura commemerotes battle of Karbala
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Mosque at Karbala
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Hezbollah: armed to the teeth with Iranian missles, on Israels
northern border and Syrias Eastern border
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The Arab world is not one group
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1000Christian Kings try to retake Jerusalem. Al Aqsa Massacre
of Muslims by Christian Crusaders 1300-1900 Ottoman Turks (capture)
capture entire Middle East rule from Istanbul (Constantinople) 1800
Britain begins the domination of entire world after invention of
the Steam Engine. 1800s Wahabbi uprising against Ottomans in Saudi
Arabi, still dominant sect there. 1880Capitulations: Britain begin
takeover Ottoman Middle East. Suez Canal built
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Topkapi Palace: Ottomans Palace in Istanbul
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Things to remember about WWI Britain promises Palestine to both
Arabs (Damascus Protocals, Mcmahon Letters) and Zionists (Balfour
declaration) 1918Britain renegs on promises, France and Britain
divide up Middle East. (Sykes Picot agreement) BP develops Iranian
Oil fields, proceeds all go to British companies.
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Losses of Ottoman Empire to Europeans, notice no nation
states
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After WWII, previously colonial possessions gain independence
1948Independence of Middle East begins, Israel established (Britain
again renegs on promises), dictators inserted 1952U.S. and Britain
orchestrates coup in Iran, deposes democratically elected Prime
Minister, inserts Shah and his abusive regime
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Europeans draw up the M.E.
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Middle East Reimagined
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To give you an example of ethnic complexity of region
(Pakistan)
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1967 Most important of several wars of Arab world against
Israel, Israel trounces them, annexes the West Bank and
Jerusalem
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1979 Most important year in current World History. Soviets
invade Afghanistan (beginning of end) Iran-Contra Scandal Sadam
Hussein takes power in Iraq Ayatollah Khomeni takes power in Iran
Iran Hostages taken Iran-Iraq War begins (1980) Civil Wars in
Central America rage (El Salvador Guatemala, Nicaragua) changing
the demographics of many American cities, including Arlington
Va.
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1990sGenocide in Rwanda, Serbia against Bosnians
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1992 First Gulf War: us invades Iraq to liberate Kuwait and
American oil. Troops left in Islamic Holy Land, with women,
infuriates Wahabbi extremists 19931 st World Trade Center bombing,
by blind Sheik 20012 nd World Trade Center bombing 2001U.S. invades
Afghanistan 2003U.S. invades Iraq again and deposes Sunni dictator,
Saddam Hussein.
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Many Muslims saw the Iraq invastions as massively humilitating
and an assault on Islamic values.
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Things Arabs and Persians (Iran) resent about the West Crusades
Capitulations: European Economic domination. Promises broken. (2)
BP oil in Iran Israel: imperial enclave Deposing of Mosadiq in Iran
Dictators of 60,70,80 Arab Israeli Wars (U.S. support for Israel)
Invasion of Iraq Pt 1 Invasion of Iraq Pt 2 Western Culture in
Genera l
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Bashir Al Assad
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Bashir and Asma al Assad
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Syrian Religious Groups Sunni 74% Shiites 2% * Alawaits 11% *
Christian 10% * Druze 3% *
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Nations that Support Assad Iran Russia Hezbollah: nation w/o a
state. Shiite militant group in Southern Lebanon, supported and
funded by Iran. What if they get chemical weapons?
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Bashir al Assad President-Dictator of Syria Wasnt suppose to
take over his bro was, but he died in car accident. He was an eye
doctor who trained in lived in Britain. He was originally hoped to
be a reformer. That lasted about a year.
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Sunni uprising against Assad, and Alawites and their Allies
Triggered by the Arab Spring Assads response to the peaceful
uprising led to the two year shooting war. About 50% of rebels are
Jihadists many of whom are foreign fighters.
Slide 66
Syrian Gassing Victims
Slide 67
After years of oppression by Assads Alawitte regime and their
Christian allies, the Sunni majority rose up in revolt, sparked by
the successes of the Arab Spring. Many radical groups joined the
revolt, but saw it as more of a Jihad against the West and the
control of Infidels in the Muslim, Christian and Jewish world.
Slide 68
Out of this hodgepodge of revolutionaries came the Al Qaeda
back Jihadists, from which arose ISIS a radical fundamentalist
organization who wishes to restore true Islam, meaning the Islam of
Muhammad in the 7th c. Anybody who resists is an infidel who needs
to be killed, including fellow Muslims who do not take their world
view.
Slide 69
Major Players to note: Bashir Al Assad: dictator or Syria, an
Alawitte whos family has controlled Syria since 60s. Alawites are
similar to Shiites (for our purposes) and he is supported by them
and the Christian minority. (see the slide on the religous and
ethnic breakdown of Syriam #62 or thereabouts.). Syrian Sunnis:
make up 78% of Syrian population and after the Arab Spring, they
rose up against Assad and his government who oppressed them. ISIS:
a fundamentalist Sunni organization who came from Al Qaeda and has
many foreign fighters. They want to establish a Caliphate accross
the Islamic world based on 7th c. Muslim values as set forth, in
their opinion, my Mohammed and his early followers. The Kurds:
Kurds are Sunnis, but not Arabs. They would prefer to stay with
themselves and have a strong ethnic identity. Because of that ISIS,
made up of mainly Arab Muslims, consider them enemies. In addition,
there is oil in the Kurdish region ISIS wishes to control.
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Sunni- Shiite Differences Sunnis evolved from the followers of
Mohammeds men, called the Caliphs and they established the
Caliphates that dominated the early Muslim world. They strongly
believe that no one but Allah should be worshiped, which why even
making portraits of humans is sacrileges, at least the most
conservative followers believe that. Sunnism does not have a
religous hierarchy with equivilents to Popes, Cardinals, Bishops or
Ayatollahs. To Sunnism, the major function of government is to make
the civil society safe for Islam, in many cases that has led to
repressive regimes. All the major Sunni countries are led by
Royalty or Dictators. Often these political enemies are important
because they keep different ethnic groups from attacking each
other, but they do it with oppression. Shiites evolved from the
followers of Hussein and his wife, the cousin of Mohammed. Because
they believe people who are descendents of Mohammed have special
relationships with the Prophet they feel comfortable with
theocracies, because Ayatollahs are descendents of Muhammad.
Shiites, which are minorities everywhere but Iran and Iraq, have
been oppressed and marginalized throughout the Arab world. In Iraq,
where they are a majority
Slide 71
but previously oppressed by the Sunni government, they have
gained control of the government and military, taking revenge on
the Sunnis. For that reason, Sunnis in Iraq now feel oppressed and
have seen ISIS as an ally in their hopes of regaining power. The
American government has forced the orginal Shiite leader from power
and he has been replace by another Shiite who says he will invite
more Sunnis and Kurds into positions of power.
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Culture The values (beliefs), norms (accepted behaviors) and
material goods (artifacts) that are characteristic of a set of
people.
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Ethnicity Ethnicity generally refers to people of similar
ancestry, who share a common sense of their history, culture
(including norms and styles of dress), religion and language-or
some mix of these. Often you ethnicity is where you feel you
belong. Situational ethnicity is when you show your ethnicity
during certain holidays or in certain situations, often showing
respect for background.
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Race: is a socially constructed classification of people based
on superficial physical traits. -Very powerful in societies.
Whether it is positive or negative to the group depends on the
stereotypes associated with the look. -Strong because it is visual
-Its strength is why is is listed on forms, to track attitudes
towards and changes in attitude in a society.
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Nationality: is associated with your nation- state. In the
modern, highly mobile world, it is the dominant grouping. In less
mobile places and much of the developing world, ethnicity trumps
nationality. For instance, Iraq, being Shiite or Sunni or Kurd is
often more important than being Iraqi.
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Ethnocentrism
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Not Really ISISs sort of people
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Syrian Religious Groups Sunni 74% Shiites 2% * Alawaits 11% *
Christian 10% * Druze 3% *
