SOC201 Case Study: Module 2 – Socialization

764 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Symbolic interactionism

Symbolic Interactionism If humans were to follow in the patterns of behavior and decision making of other creatures roaming the earth, or choices would be different than what they are today, at least according to the theories of symbolic interactionism. This theoretical approach suggests that the decisions that humans make are often skewed by the individual perception of the possible response of other individuals to those decisions. Using the purchase of a new car, for example, most people’s needs dictate an affordable vehicle that will get the highest fuel efficiency available. However, vehicles such as the Ford Raptor (starting MSRP of $ 44,415 and average of 13 miles per gallon fuel economy), are still highly esteemed among consumers. While this doesn’t make sense from a standpoint of practicality, it may when looking at the decision through the lens of symbolic interactionism. According to a survey conducted by Insure.com, 32% of women responded that attractive men drive pickup trucks (2013). Considering that the Ford Raptor has less towing capacity than the standard F-150 equipped with the same engine (8000 lbs vice 9600 lbs in the case of a standard 4x4 F-150), the Raptor is no more capable of towing than a standard vehicle, but costs over $10,000 more than the standard option. Obviously, there are other factors at play here. The argument behind symbolic interactionism is that cognition can, and usually does, interfere with human decision making based on practicality alone. And the results of the previously mentioned survey validate the understanding of the “generalized other” played out in the minds of those men deciding on purchasing a big, black Ford Raptor. Role Theory Role theory posits that all people make deci... ... middle of paper ... ...hese theories presents a point of view based on differing classification of sociological concepts, they all focus on the role of the decisions of the individual resulting in how society functions and evolves. Works Cited Ford Motor Company, F-150 SVT Raptor, 2014. Retrieved from: http://www.ford.com/trucks/f150/trim/raptor/ Ford Motor Company, F-150 Engine Specifications, 2014. Retrieved from: http://www.ford.com/trucks/f150/specifications/engine/ Steele, Jeffrey, Cars that attract the ladies (and guys), Insure.com, 2014. Retrieved from: http://www.insure.com/car-insurance/cars-that-attract-ladies.html Ford Motor Company, F-150 Towing Specifications, 2014. Retrieved from: http://www.ford.com/trucks/f150/specifications/towing/ Sigmund Freud, Civilization and its Discontents, 1931. Retrieved from: http://www.freud.org.uk/education/topic/10573/subtopic/40005/

Show More
Related

  • sociology

    1877 Words  | 4 Pages

    Sociology cannot be clearly explained as there are many different theories and theorists; so far none of them have been defined as a correct answer. Although with all this information of theories and theorists sociology is relatively explained as agreed philosophies that delivers a reason for human society. Sociological theories are like most other theories, they are selective, and there is no quantity of theory to explain everything or define the infinite amount of information that exist or comprehend the methods of observing reality. Sociological theories vary and can be linked to each other according to various criteria. The two main perspectives of sociology are the micro sociological approach and the macro sociological approach. The micro sociological approach is based more on the persons being capable of their own independent thoughts feelings and behaviour; therefor society is built through their interactions amongst each other and the significances they attach to them. This approach is defined using Social Action Theory and Symbolic Interactionism. The Macro Sociological approach is on a much bigger scale and consists of a person being born into a current society which will then shape their behaviour. It centres on the organisations, values and the culture of that particular society and how it impacts an individual and their role in life. This approach is made clearer using Functionalism, Feminist and Conflict Theories.

    Read More

  • Macro Level Theories In Sociology

    1262 Words  | 3 Pages

    Sociology is the study of society and the interactions that occur within society itself. There are numerous methods of analyzing societies and the way the function, nonetheless, most methods fall in micro and macro level theories. Micro level theories allow sociologist to study smaller relationships such as individual or compact groups of people. On the other hand, macro level studies permit for larger scale investigations to take place. With both of these theories there are three theoretical perspectives used in sociology. Micro level theories include symbolic interactionism which focuses in interactions done with language and gestures and the means which allow such interactions to take place. Macro level theories include structural functionalism

    Read More

  • The Globalisation of Obesity

    3548 Words  | 8 Pages

    There are some human phenomena, which seem to be the result of individual actions and personal decisions. Yet, these phenomena are often - on closer inspection – as much a result of social factors as of psychological ones.

    Read More

  • Comparison of the Social Exchange Theory and the Symbolic Interaction Theory

    1971 Words  | 4 Pages

    The theory I originally chose to critique was the Social Exchange and Rational Choice framework from our class book. I chose this theory because when we talked about it in class it made a lot of sense to me. Its propositions and foundations are very applicable to many situations, and I felt like I had a good grasp of its concepts and structure. However, in doing research for this paper, I discovered that contrary to what our book led me to believe, Social Exchange is a theory entirely separate from Rational Choice theory. So, in keeping with this discovery and despite my better judgment, I will do my best to relay and critique the information I find on either one or both theories and then compare only Social Exchange theory to the Symbolic Interaction framework. Although I will try to get the same information for both theories, there are not many resources which describe Social Exchange theory, and there are far more for Rational Choice theory, so the critique and discussion may be a little lopsided.

    Read More

  • The Cycle Of Socialization Analysis

    1665 Words  | 4 Pages

    Bobbie Harro states in “The cycle of socialization” (2000), “No one brings us a survey, in the womb, inquiring which gender, class, religion, sexual orientation, cultural group, ability status, or age we might want to be born. These identities are ascribed to us at birth through no effort or decision or choice of our own” (p.16). I was born into a system, just like everyone else, where I was judged and labeled due to the social categories that I identify with. What I have experienced throughout my schooling has shaped and molded my sense of self and the way that I view myself in terms of my gender and race/ethnicity. I live in a world where I have been both praised and ridiculed for these differing characteristics that seem to define me, but

    Read More

  • Symbolic Interactionism: The Causes Of Homelessness In Today's Society

    758 Words  | 2 Pages

    Symbolic interactionism perspective is defined as “the study of how people negotiate the meanings of social life during their interactions with others” (Rohall, Milkie, and Lucas, 2014, p.27). It asserts that “we construct meaning about things that are important in our own lives and in our society” (Rohall, Milkie, and Lucas, 2014, p.28). These meanings derive from social interactions among individuals which

    Read More

  • Major Sociological Perspective Essay

    752 Words  | 2 Pages

    Social theories provide us with a new perspective in the social world. With new perspectives, new opinions can be made. also, they can provide answers or explain a specific social spectacle. Social theories can help clarify and predict the way the social world works. The three major sociological perspectives are functionalism, the conflict theory, and the symbolic interaction theory. Each theory is different and can help answer many questions about human behavior in a social world.

    Read More

  • The Power of Media Framing

    2632 Words  | 6 Pages

    Tversky, A., & Kahneman, D. (1981). The framing of decisions and the psychology of choice. Science, 211(4481), 453–458.

    Read More

  • Perception In The Perception Process

    1043 Words  | 3 Pages

    Perception is defined as how someone views the world, and is normally affected by who the person is (Adler and Proctor II, 105). Perception is what brings us in contact with people, objects, and places in the environment (Robert, 2014). Selection, organization, interpretation, and negotiation are the four steps in the perception process (Adler and Proctor II, 105). Selection is a stimuli that attracts our attention (Adler and Proctor II, 105). Organization is divided into different categories such as appearance, social role, and interaction style (Adler and Proctor II, 106). Interpretation is when we attach meaning to the information given (Adler and Proctor II, 109), and lastly negotiation is when two or more parties try to achieve a shared

    Read More

  • Social Institution: Education

    410 Words  | 1 Pages

    In the textbook Sociology chapter one talks about three sociological theories: functionalist, conflict, and interactionism. All three sociological theories have something to do with each social institution. Functionalist perspective is a sociological approach that emphasizes the way of which the parts of a society are structured to maintain its stability (Schaefer, 24). Functionalist applies to the education sociological institution by teaching knowledge and skills, cultural transmission, social control, and some agents of structured change. All of these are important in making sure that education is structured to maintain its stability. The conflict perspective is a sociological approach that assumes that social behavior is best understood in terms of tension between groups over power or the allocation of resources, including housing, money, access to services, and political representation (Schaefer, 24). Conflict applies to the education sociological institution by reproducing social order, using hidden curriculum, intolerance and inequality, credentialism, and status. Using hidden curriculum refers to standards of behavior that are deemed proper y society and are taught subtly in schools (Schaefer, 315). Status refers to standardized testing, tracking, public/private, gender, class, and role. And then there is the interactionism perspective. Interactionism perspective is a sociological approach that generalizes about everyday forms of social interaction in order to explain society as a whole (Schaefer, 24).

    Read More

  • Sociological Perspective On Teen Depression And Suicide

    716 Words  | 2 Pages

    There are three main types of sociological perspectives in which you can perceive different sociological issues and concepts; structural-functional, symbolic-interaction, and social conflict. Structural-functional looks at society as a whole and how it works together. Symbolic-interaction is how different symbols spark particular thoughts and emotions by examining the meanings that people impose on objects, events and behaviors. Social conflict studies how power and coercion affect social order. Based off these types of perspectives, an analysis on teen depression and suicide can be evaluated from a sociological standpoint.

    Read More

  • Structural Functionalism Research Paper

    579 Words  | 2 Pages

    Theories in sociology sometime provide us with the different perspectives with which to view our social...

    Read More

  • Economic Decision Making

    569 Words  | 2 Pages

    Individuals make economic decision based on a variety of reasons. The rational is based on each individual’s need or desire for a commodity. People go through several decision-making processes before making the final decision and are often not conscious of the process. Obviously, decision- making covers a wide area, involving virtually the whole of human action. Often people are not conscious of the process.

    Read More

  • Socialization Bibliography Of Socialization

    753 Words  | 2 Pages

    Socialization interested me as I learned about society and how to view society using the sociological perspective. As expected socialization is a very open topic and returned many results in my search for credible material. I decided to begin by defining socialization with the help of the book Handbook of Socialization (Grusec & Hastings, 2016), which discussed various concepts of socialization and the process.

    Read More

  • The Importance Of Socialization

    1087 Words  | 3 Pages

    Socialization is the process of passing down norms, customs, and ideologies that are important to the society by the previous generations to the younger generations. The school system is a social agency that was created to enhance the processes of socialization through education. The importance of school as an agent of socialization can be best explained by the amount of time students spend in school and in activities happen around school. The manifest functions of school are to educate students the social norms, and the knowledge and skills that help them become economically productive in order to benefit the society. But students not only learn from the academic curriculum but they also benefit from socialize with their teachers and peers.

    Read More

More about SOC201 Case Study: Module 2 – Socialization

Open Document