Download Intro To Sociology and Social Change

Sociology +
Social Change
What is Sociology?
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Sociology studies interactions and conflicts
within groups to determine how society
functions
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Norms and predictable behaviours are
important if a society is to maintain social
order and stability
Sociologists determine whether changes in
society are predictable or unpredictable
Sociologists examine previous conditions
that brought up change in first place
Helps sociologists predict future trends and
changes
Sociology Subject Matter:
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All human behaviour is social so the subject matter of
sociology ranges from
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The family
Mob behaviour
organized crime
religious cults
race, gender and social class
Deviance
Culture
Impact of technology
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To understand the whole
picture, it is important to
understand the individual
components
Microsociology is the
study of social
encounters, experiences,
roles and interactions of
individuals
Emphasizes how changes
occur in one’s life
depending on social and
environmental stimuli
that surround person
It looks at all the parts
that influence a person
microsociology
General Example:
 What occurrences/experiences
have occurred to have a
stereotype generated and
solidified in a person’s mind
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Individual Behavioural Processes
Cognitive consistency
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Preventative action to stop feelings of
segregation/unhappiness
Seek out people that are just like you, so
that you aren’t “deviant” (going against
the norm)
You consciously seek out things (stimuli)
that is consistent with your thoughts,
behaviour and attitudes
You avoid conflict through the choices
that you make
The goal is balance– at any cost!
2 types of microsociology
2 types of microsociology
Cognitive dissonance-
Result of an occurrence or action
•Disconnect
•Feeling of discomfort with predominant group action.
•Only way to overcome dissonance is to change behavior or make it
consistent with your attitudes that the group has --- unhappiness
•You do it to gain balance regardless of unhappiness
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Macrosociology is sociological approach in which groups, social systems
and social structures are analyzed on large scale
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These type of sociologists are concerned with wide sweeping changes
on entire population.
 Social Paradigm Shift
 When a new set of ideas, beliefs and values become strong
enough to effect and change the way individuals perceive
reality
 Eg. Changing acceptance of Family structures
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When change is met by resistance by a dominant group =
paradigm paralysis (inability/ refusal to see beyond current
systems of thought)
Resistance called confirmation bias  tendency to favour
information that confirms beliefs and preconceptions
about an issue
 Look for answers that prove your point
Macrosociology
People are uncomfortable
with change
 We are creatures of habit
 We like routines and
predictability to maintain
balance
 This is not how the world
works especially in current
day
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What does this all mean?
Social Change
The transformation in the
beliefs, interactions,
practices, organizations and
structures in a society/group
 Challenges the status quo
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Normalcy = stability
Takes many years
•Prejudice and
Discrimination are barriers
•Social acceptance happens
quicker than systemic
(official rules esp. in
government or formal
organizations
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Let’s deconstruct this idea of social change
As you watch the short clip below, consider the following:
1) What is the issue that requires the change?
2) What kinds of changes need to occur to remedy this
issue?
• Hint: Change happens on multiple levelsindividual, group, government, national and global
3) Why doesn’t the rest of the world care?
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfl8c
DZPQzU