Summary Topics: Introduction to Sociology Dr. James Ryan Reblando

1. SOCIOLOGY PART 2
BY: DR. JAMES REBLANDO

2. Culture
Culture is the total way of life shared by members of a community.
Culture comes in two forms: material and nonmaterial. Nonmaterial
culture consist of language, values, rules, knowledge and meanings shared by a
members of a society.
Material culture includes the physical objects that a society produces. E.g.
tools, streets, sculptures, toys, and others.
7/20/2017Prepared by: Dr. James Reblando 2

3. Socialization
Socialization is the process of learning the rules and values of a given culture.
Structural functionalists theorize that socialization in schools, religious
institutions, families, and elsewhere smoothly integrates the young into broader
culture, avoiding conflict or chaotic social change. It is most useful for
explaining the benefits of a stable social system.
Conflict Theory focuses on how socialization reinforces unequal power
arrangements. It is most useful for understanding how socialization can quash
dissent and social change and reproduce inequalities.
7/20/2017Prepared by: Dr. James Reblando 3

4. Symbolic interaction theory emphasizes how self concept develops through
actively interpreting our interactions with others and the images of ourselves
that we glean from others. Two important connected with this theory are the
looking-glass self and role taking.
The two most important agents of socialization are the family and peers. Other
important agents of socialization include schools, mass media, religion and
community.
Socialization occurs across the life course. Four important types of
socialization are primary socialization, Anticipatory socialization, professional
socialization, resocialization.
7/20/2017Prepared by: Dr. James Reblando 4

5. Social Structure & Social Interaction
The analyses of social structure – recurrent patterns of relationships- revolves
around three concepts: status, role, and institution.
Status are specialized positions within a group and maybe of two types:
achieved or ascribed. Roles define how status occupants ought to act and feel.
Because societies share common human needs, they also share common
institutions: enduring and complex social structures that meet basic human
needs. Some of those common institutions are family, economy, government,
education and religion.
7/20/2017Prepared by: Dr. James Reblando 5

6. Institutions are interdependent; none stands alone, and so a change in one
results in changes in others. Structural functionalist point out that institutions
regulate behavior and maintain the stability of social life across generations.
Conflict theorist note that these patterns often benefit one group more than
others.
When institutions collapse societies can fall into chaos and despair.
The sociology of everyday life analyses the patterns of human social behavior
in concrete encounters in daily life.
Dramaturgy is a symbolic interactionist perspective pioneered by Erving
Goffman. It views the self as a strategist who is choosing roles and setting
scenes to maximize self-interest.
Work takes two forms: avoiding blame and gaining credit.
7/20/2017Prepared by: Dr. James Reblando 6

7. References
David B. Brinkerhoff, et al “Essentials of Sociology” 9th edition
James M. Henslin, “Sociology” 10th edition.
Thank you…
7/20/2017Prepared by: Dr. James Reblando 7