Soci 170, chapters 1-7

Chapter one discussed how society plays a major part in a person’s development, which then causes people to interact with other people a certain way because of how they are viewed in society. For example marriage is not view as I really want to be with this person because I really cannot see myself without them, we can be dirt poor broke and I will still love you. At least that was how marriage was looked at in my grandmother’s era. Marriage today is looked at like if I marry you what are the benefits that come with you, and even though marriage is supposed to be completely about love, I still need to know like what does your credit score look like and are you financially stable, because where I lack my partner should be able to pick up.

Chapter two was all about sociological investigation and research. It also talked about the ten steps to sociological research, which are state your topic, what do other people already know about your topic, what exactly do you want to know, how will you conduct your research, are there any ethical concerns, what methods will you use, how will your data be recorded, what did you find out from the data, your conclusion and then finally what have you learned from your research. It amazes how we still have third world countries, when there is so much technology out in the world.

Chapter three was about culture and what makes up culture like language, values, beliefs, norms. It amazes me how we have so many different types of cultures in America and even though not everyone believes in “God” they still believe in an higher power who they potentially look to for guidance. Chapter three talked about nonmaterial culture and material culture. Nonmaterial is ideas and or beliefs that are made up by members of a certain culture in society, for example religious or spiritual beliefs or preferences. Material is physical things made by members of society, for example cell phones, everyone has to have an iPhone, and if you do not have an iPhone then you are considered to be a lame or not as cool.

Chapter four was basically about technology and how we have evolved as a society because of it. This chapter talked about Gerhard Lenski, Karl Marx, Max Weber, and Emile Durkheim. As I stated before we have all of this amazing technology and we still have undeveloped countries that are not as industrialized as America or other places around the world.

Chapter five basically talks about even with all of the different things in society that can have a great influence on a person’s personality, like TV, peers, role models, your environment, how do you remain true to who you are as a person. Does a person develop better with nature or nurture? It talks about what the six major theories of socialization.

Chapter six talks about a persons status, are you a mother, father, grandmother, grandfather, aunt, uncle, daughter, son, were you born with money, or were you less unfortunate. Was it instilled in you to go to college after high school or to go into the work force.

Chapter seven talk about groups and organizations in society and what groups do people fall into. An example of this would be a group of people in rebab. This people identify with each other because they have a common problem.