Sociological Concepts

Objective:

To use your “sociological imagination” to observe and analyze human behavior and social interaction in a social setting.

 

Goals:

1. Employ qualitative research techniques.
2. Apply your understanding of sociological concepts.
3. Utilize the sociological perspective in areas of everyday life.

 

The sociological imagination helps us get at the link between self and social life.  This is a practice of tuning-in to the social world, in other words, how to pay attention to the social world.

Exercise:

1. Begin thinking of a social/public (and safe) setting where you can sit and observe a variety of people. It may be helpful to consider the interactions you will likely observe and review lecture notes and text material prior to your observation.

The setting does not need to be public but a social setting.  It is helpful to have read through at least Ch. 5 to familiarize yourself with applicable concepts.

 

2. Before you get started you will need to decide where to do your observation.  Select a place that you can easily access and that you may observe for at least one hour.

Your total observation time should be approximately an hour or longer if you choose.  This can be done all in one sitting or in multiple increments.

3. Record your observations as carefully as you can by taking field notes.  You should focus on behaviors and interactions and describe them in sociological terms (choose a minimum of two groups/types of interaction).

Choose at least two groups to observe.  The chosen groups should represent two different types of interaction/relationship (ie. parent-child, dating/married couple, friends, siblings, co-workers, boss-employee, etc.)  I recommend keeping your groups small (2-5 people).

4. Analyze your observations using the concepts from lecture and readings.

Be sure to include the use of sociological terms and concepts.

For each term:

 identify and define the concept

provide a brief definition

 provide a solid example to demonstrate your understanding of the term

You are expected to include at least 8 terms in describing the groups you are observing.  Each term will be worth 5 points and points will be awarded on the above: identify, define, and provide an example for each concept.

1. Write your paper.  The paper is to be a minimum of 3 full pages, and must be typed and double-spaced.  The page margins should be 1” to 1.25” and use a font size of 10 or 12.  Grammar and spelling will be considered in grading, therefore, it is very important that you proofread your work.

Paper Requirements/Format:

This is the basic format that I would like the paper to follow.  You are welcome to use the subheadings for the different sections, if you so choose.

Introduction/Setting- Identify and define your type of research, level of analysis, and data collection method.  Describe the physical location and layout.  Be sure to include time of day and length of observation.

Type of research is qualitative: define and make clear why this paper is qualitative.

The level of analysis is micro: define and make clear why.

Data collection is observation/participant observation: why.

People/Characters- Describe the people you are observing.  Note the number of people you are observing.  Include demographic indicators: gender, age groups, racial/ethnic categories, education level, occupation, and marital status.  Be sure to include your evidence for making these generalizations.

Describe those you are observing, with the focus on the small groups you are observing.  Do your best to include all of the demographic indicators above.  Provide evidence for your inferences if the information is not directly available.

Activities/Interaction- Describe the activities taking place.  Describe both obvious and less obvious activities, paying particular attention to forms of interaction.  What kinds of relationships appear to be present?  Identify and discuss the social statuses and roles you are observing.  Describe the norms or violations of norms that seem to be in effect?  Make some general comments about what is going on, but be specific when describing interactions between characters.

Applicable Concepts: impression management, symbols, verbal and nonverbal communication, formal and informal norms, subculture, counterculture, socialization, significant others, generalized others, gender roles, rights of passage, statuses, roles, groups, stereotypes, social inequality, social institutions (and many others, see textbook)

Note: Use at least 8 sociological concepts in describing activities/interaction

This is where you will apply most of your concepts.

Assessment- Reflect on your experience.  Demonstrate thoughtful, imaginative, and reflective insights that illustrate how this information is important for understanding social life.  This importance can be illustrated by relating at least two micro-level observations that can be linked to macro-level contemporary social events, issues, or problems.  How did employing your “sociological imagination” change/improve your understanding of social interaction?

In this assessment, I would like you to make at least two links between what you observed on a micro level and relate this to larger (macro) social institutions, social concerns, events, issues, behavior.

Note:  Macro-level theories should be applied in assessment.

Tie in the use of function and conflict theory in the assessment.