Introduction to SociologyI can demonstrate an understanding of the main concepts and theories within sociology – foundations

THE SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE

BREAKING IT DOWN

STUDY OF THE ACTIONS AND INTERACTIONS OF INDIVIDUALS WITHIN GROUPS

STRUCTURESOCIAL CONSTRAINTS AND

OPPORTUNITIES

AGENCYINDIVIDUAL CHOICES AND

DECISIONS

Amanda Todd – what caused her death?

SUICIDE AS A SOCIOLOGICAL ACT"Rather than a preoccupation with putting fences on bridges and what have you, I'd rather put money into ... getting to a place where we can talk about the s-word and how to do intervention."

“Suicide barrier on Bloor Viaduct worked, but jumpers went elsewhere: study”- July 2010

Globe and Mail

"Suicides at the Golden Gate Bridge are contagious," said Michael McCamus, former executive director of the Toronto-based Family Association for Mental Health Everywhere.

Defining Sociology

Social science discipline that examines development and structure of human society (institutions)

Social change and social causes and consequences of human behavior Sociologists theorize on nature of changes that

bring about SOCIAL ORDER AND SOCIAL INSTABILITY predictable or unpredictable gradual or sudden spontaneous or follow a specific course

Sociologists investigate structure of groups, organizations, and societies, and how individuals are impacted

Main Concepts in Sociology

SOCIAL ROLESHIERARCHYVALUES AND RULESNORMS

ROLES

What are Norms?

Norms are behaviours that govern social action and which the majority of the members of society regards as proper, right and expected.

Norms lead to the standardization of behaviour within any given society

Norms are an important form of social control

Norms

There are four types of norms:Mores (vital for its survival; what is right and

wrong, moral and immoral)Folkways (norms governing behaviour which

the society considers acceptable but does not insist upon)

Taboos (are behaviours that society finds revolting)

Laws (norms codified/formalized through the legislative process)

What are Social Institutions?

 Social institutions are established sets of norms and subsystems that support each society's survival

SOCIETY

Families(reproduce and

nurture)

Economy(production, distribution,

consumption of goods and services)

Government(Controls conflict between groups and contributes

to sharing of norms and

values)

Education(socializes

young people, teaching them

things they need to know in adult

life)