* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
Download Unit 4 - Social Institutions
Survey
Document related concepts
Social contract wikipedia , lookup
Social constructionism wikipedia , lookup
Social rule system theory wikipedia , lookup
Sociology of culture wikipedia , lookup
Postdevelopment theory wikipedia , lookup
Social Darwinism wikipedia , lookup
Social exclusion wikipedia , lookup
Social group wikipedia , lookup
Development theory wikipedia , lookup
Sociological theory wikipedia , lookup
Differentiation (sociology) wikipedia , lookup
Structural functionalism wikipedia , lookup
Sociology of knowledge wikipedia , lookup
Transcript
SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS • A social institution is an important human organization in a culture group that helps a society to survive. • Sociologists have identified government, religion, education , economy and family as the five basic social institutions that are necessary for a society to survive GOVERNMENT • Government is the political organization of a society • The purpose of government is to keep order and make group decisions • In the U.S., the government keeps order by: • Providing law enforcement at various levels • Defends us from enemies through the armed services • Provides social services like Social Security and Medicare • Protects the rights of the population. WEBER’S VIEWS ON AUTHORITY • Traditional • Based on custom • Authority passed through hereditary lines • Chief, King, Queen • Declines with industrialization • Rational-legal • Based on written rules • Agreed to by reasonable people and written into law • Also known as – bureaucratic authority • Authority comes from position NOT person • Charismatic • Person or group with exceptional qualities comes to power • Issue of allegiance • King owes allegiance to tradition • President owes allegiance to written laws • Who does the charismatic authority owe allegiance to ??? ECONOMY • The economy of a culture represents the way that resources are used to meet human needs and wants • An economy is necessary because it allows people to make a living and determines how to acquire and distribute goods and services ECONOMY CONT’D • Economic Systems: • Primary sector • Extraction of raw materials • Fishing, hunting, farming • Secondary sector • Use of raw materials to manufacture goods • Turning trees into paper or lumber • Tertiary sector • Providing services • Mechanics, service technicians, cab drivers • Economic Models: • Capitalism • Laissez-faire capitalism • “let people do as they choose” • Driven by: • Self-interest • Market competition • Limited government • Socialism • Economic activity controlled by social need • Central planning through government • Equal access to goods and services RELIGION • Religion represents the moral belief system of a society • Can include ideas about magic, superstition and an explanation about how the universe came about • Religion is necessary to determine group values; to have a common belief system • Although American society has many religions, they serve similar functions. • Denominations • Sects • Religion teaches a moral code that is generally reflective of the society BELIEF SYSTEMS • Animism – spirits actively influence human life • Totemism – belief in kinship between humans and animals or natural objects • Theism – belief in god or gods • Monotheism – one god (Judaism, Christianity, Islam) • Polytheism – multiple gods (Hinduism) • Ethicalism – moral principles have a sacred quality • Based on truth, honor, and tolerance • Involves meditation and purity (Buddhism, Confucianism) FUNCTIONS OF RELIGION • Meet Basic needs not met by other social institutions • Provide: • Social solidarity (cohesion) • Meaning of existence • Social control • Moral & ethical code of behavior • Emotional support • Concerns of life/death • Helps individuals: • Adjust to social problems • Adapt to social changes Durkheim – religion defined by: • Beliefs • Practice • Moral community TWO VIEWS OF RELIGION D u r k h e i m Viewed religious functions and ceremonies as a way to bring a community together M a r x Believed that religion divided the classes… strong vs. weak. EDUCATION • Education is the institution that passes on essential cultural knowledge to members of a society • Education is necessary to pass information and knowledge of the culture from one generation to the next • American education • Instills knowledge about the world • Provides skills to become competent in the adult world of work • Teaches the values of the American way of life • Offers opportunities for intellectual, social and emotional growth PERSPECTIVES ON EDUCATION • Functionalist • Teach knowledge and skills • Cultural transmission • Society’s core values • Loyalty to state • Socialist vs. Capitalist • Social Integration • National identity • Mainstreaming • Inclusion • Gatekeeping • Tracking • Conflict • Tool for elite to maintain dominance • Socioeconomic status • Hidden curriculum • Unwritten rules • Obedience to authority • Conformity to social norms • Culturally biased testing • Unequal funding • Taxes PERSPECTIVES ON EDUCATION Interactionist • Human culture is not biologically inherited, but learned • Young people develop social personalities through adult care and teaching FAMILY • Family is the first and most basic social unit of society • Family is necessary to care for the young, to provide a kinship system for social organization • The American family is the basic unit of society. As such, it cares for the young physically, emotionally, socially and intellectually. It provides the basic living arrangements; it structures the kinship system; it furnishes companionship and emotional and social support for its members. FAMILY STRUCTURES • Nuclear family • Just the parents and the children • Most recognized within American society • Extended family • Other relatives, such as grandparents, uncles and aunts are also included • Authority Patterns: • Patriarchy • Male authority • Matriarchy • Female authority • Egalitarian • Shared authority • Descent Patterns: • Patrilineal system • Descent traced on father’s side • Matrilineal system • Descent traced on mother’s side ISSUES WITH THE FAMILY AS AN INSTITUTION Family Functions • Regulation of sexual activity • Reproduction • Socialization • Economic and Emotional Security • Care for the sick/old • Recreation Family Disruptions • Divorce • Death • Empty Nest • Violence