The theory I have chosen for this theory application is Functionalism. Functionalism dates back to the 19th Century and has been brought along and expanded on by many Theorists throughout its history. Technological advances and changing political events through out history helped to shape the functionalism theories of the 20th Century European and United States Sociologists. In keeping with this Sociology 1000 class I will use the 20th Century Functionalism ideas of Talcott Parsons.
When we look at the Functionalist system theory in the larger scope, this theory looks at the questions that come up concerning the integration of society by means of consensus, or agreement on how its needs will be met. The second element is Social Action. This takes place between actors and within a social system. The social system is one part of the systems theory and is based on the interaction between actors or people. The system theory is defined as a whole unit with boundaries and connected parts, in which an event takes place. The other two elements within the system theory are Cultural and Personality systems. The cultural system includes values and norms that influence individual choices. The personality system is the motivations and need based choices that govern choices made. Parsons also believed that change does take place but in small amounts. When equilibrium is disrupted, it must be quickly restored as close to original as possible. Read more…
The main idea of this article is to compare and contrast the differences in how men and women think. The author Nicholas Wade gives us several examples and professional opinions about the differences and stereotypes in how we think. He shows us that yes, men and women do think very differently. Both men and women prefer and excel at different things. That is what makes us individuals, not smarter than one another.
Nicholas Wade is a Science editor for the New York Times. He is well experienced in his field. He puts out science articles that appear in the daily newspaper as well as the Science Times. Nicholas has a special way of covering the whole spectrum of science from mathematics to sociology.
The vocabulary that was challenging was a few choice words that he used to describe the background and how the process of a female mind vs. a male mind is established. Anatomist- meaning expert in the study of anatomy and Indelibly- meaning permanently. Read more…
Suppose someone tells you that your car had just been stolen. The natural human reaction is shock, and a need to see it for themselves. So, in response, you go running outside to see if your car is still there, and it is. The person that told you of your car being stolen is now hysterically laughing while you have a very perplexed look on your face. At this moment, you realize that you have been lied to and tricked. It is not a big deal, it was a gag, and so you simply laugh along with your friend to show your good humor and to avoid embarrassment. Lying is a form of deviance. It is called perjury. But you don’t bring your friend to trail. He did not commit a deviant act. Yet someone that lies to the police or in court, and it is found that they have lied; they can be prosecuted for that crime. Not only is lying a form of deviance according to the U.S. Constitution, but it is also one of the 10 Commandments. So how is it that so many people these days knowing speak falsehoods to people and not be punished for it? The answer lies in discretion.
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The Study of Social Life
Sociology is the systematic, study of human society. A lot of people think that they know everything about social behavior because it is around us everyday. Sociologists have unique ways of looking at human behavior and special tools for studying them.
More Than Common Sense
Most people think that sociology is a way to discover what everyone already knows, they believe that it is common sense. Some of ideas and beliefs obtained from common sense have been proven false from facts of sociological research, but some validate what we already know. Sociology can tell us which popular beliefs are true and which are false. It also helps reduce the confusion that comes from common sense. You possibly have heard that “Absence makes the heart grow fonder.” From sociological research we can conclude that the effect of a person’s absence on another depends on the strength of the relationship. If two people were deeply in love, the absence of the other will make the heart grow stronger, but if it were two high school students then the relationship will most likely fall apart. Sociology is not common sense, because if it was then people would not waste their time studying it. Common sense cannot tell us which ideas and beliefs are true, but sociology can. Sociology gives us facts supported by ideas and excitement of discovering new things about ourselves. Read more…
There are experiences in life that can change a person’s outlook in life. . For some people it maybe a childhood experience or a family issue. In my case it was a family issue when the doctor told me my dad had heart disease.
Luckily a miracle happened, my dad was only supposed to live for three days. He was diagnosed with a terrible disease leukemia, which he had to take chemotherapy for. The chemotherapy was a great success; he was the only person who survived in the whole eight floor. Doctors where shocked at how much he wanted to hold on to his life, and he has been in remission for thirteen years now.
Who would have thought I would relive another terrible experience? The doctor came up to my mother and I and told us that the chemotherapy had affected his heart and he would have to wear a special device, which is a pacemaker. The pacemaker makes the heart function properly and prevents it from any other cardiac problems. When the doctor told me this, I began to have flashbacks from the past. I began to cry I was saying to myself “I don’t want to go through this all over again.” I began crying to my mom and told her “I can’t believe this why him again?” My mother quickly embraced me and told me “ Just have faith in God and everything will be fine.” I realized that having faith was the only way to get over this stage in my life. That’s when I realized that, I must value and treasure life. Health is very important; you never know what might happen in the future. Read more…
