SOCI 101 Principles of Social Organizations

Transcription

1 SOCI 101 Principles of Social Organizations Session 8 SOCIETY, SOCIAL INTERACTION AND SOCIAL STRUCTURE Lecturer: Dr. Dan-Bright S. Dzorgbo, UG Contact Information: ddzorgbo@ug.edu.gh College of Education School of Continuing and Distance Education 2014/ /2017

2 Session Overview Overview Sociology is said to be the scientific study society and social interaction. From the sociological perspective, society is said to constitute a structure hence the concept social structure. This session deals society, social interaction and social structure. It defines society, social interaction and social structure and provides other terms that help us to analyse these various concepts. Goals and Objectives define society, Identify types of society define social interaction, and social structure explain how society constitutes social structure identify the components of social structure as the social institutions and practices Dr. Dan-Bright S. Dzorgbo, Sociology Dept. UG Slide 2

3 Session Outline The key topics to be covered in this session are as follows: Topic One : Definition of Society Topic Two: Type of Societies Topic Three: Definition of Social Interaction Topic Four: Definition of Social Structure Topic Five: Concepts for Analysing Social Structure Dr. Dan-Bright S. Dzorgbo, Sociology Dept. UG Slide 3

4 Reading List Ballantine, J. and K. A. Roberts (2007) Our Social World: Introduction to Sociology, Thousand Oaks: Pine Forge Press. Berger P. L. (1963) Invitation to Sociology, New York: Anchor Books. Dzorgbo D-B. S. (2013) Sociological Theory: Classical Ideas and their Application in the African Context, Accra: Woeli Publishing Services Giddens, A. (2004) Sociology: Introductory Readings, Cambridge: Polity Press Haralambos M. (1995) Sociology: Themes and Perspectives, London: Collins Educational. Robertson, Ian (1987) Sociology: The Basic Concepts, New York: Worth Publishers. Schaefer R. (2004) Sociology, New York: McGraw-Hill. Turner, J. H. (2006) Sociology New Jersey: Pearson Robertson, Ian (1987) Sociology: The Basic Concepts, New York: Worth Publishers. Dr. Dan-Bright S. Dzorgbo, Sociology Dept. UG Slide 4

5 Topic One: Definition of society SOCIETY refers to a group of people: who live in a clearly defined geographical area share more or less the same culture, interact regularly to carry out the essential tasks of live believe that they are one people are organized under one political authority and have the capacity for collective defence Dr. Dan-Bright S. Dzorgbo, Sociology Dept. UG Slide 5

6 Topic Two: Types of Societies One important approach to categorizing societies into the various types is based on the way people derive their livelihood. Given this we have: Hunting and Gathering Societies Horticultural Societies Agricultural Societies Pastoralism Industrial Societies Dr. Dan-Bright S. Dzorgbo, Sociology Dept. UG Slide 6

7 Hunting and Gathering Society They predominant depend solely what the environment can offer in terms of raw food. The came into existence about 10,000 12,000 years ago, Groups were based on mainly kinship ties move in bands of 5 to 10 They were highly mobile, division of labour is based on gender Hunter-gatherers relied on their surroundings for survival they hunted animals and foraged for uncultivated plants for food Dr. Dan-Bright S. Dzorgbo, Sociology Dept. UG Slide 7

8 Hunting and Gathering (cont d) Hunter-Gatherers are NORMADIC meaning when resources became scarce, the group moved to a new area to find sustenance These societies were common until several hundred years ago, but today only a few hundred remain in existence, such as indigenous Australian tribes sometimes referred to as aborigines, or the Bambuti, a group of pygmy hunter-gatherers residing in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Hunter-gatherer groups are quickly disappearing as the world s population explodes. Dr. Dan-Bright S. Dzorgbo, Sociology Dept. UG Slide 8

9 Horticulturalist Live sedentary life Types of Societies Horticulture They stay at a particular place for a longer period of time They do some domestication of crops Practice subsistence farming Dr. Dan-Bright S. Dzorgbo, Sociology Dept. UG Slide 9

10 Horticulture (cont d) They make use of simple tools such as hoes, cutlass, digging sticks, etc. The practice slash and burn and shifting cultivation Mainly driven by human labour Little use of fertilizer, improved seeds, etc. Mainly for subsistence Dr. Dan-Bright S. Dzorgbo, Sociology Dept. UG Slide 10

11 Type of Society: Agriculture AGRICULTURAL SOCEITY Unlike Horticulture, Agriculture requires less labor There is the use of sophisticated machines in farming Make use of irrigation and domestication of animals Terracing The application of fertilizers (organic or chemical) Use of improved seeds Production for the market Processing of products into new forms Dr. Dan-Bright S. Dzorgbo, Sociology Dept. UG Slide 11

12 Pastoralism 3. PASTORAL SOCIETY Pastoral societies rely on the domestication of animals as a resource for survival. Unlike earlier hunter-gatherers who depended entirely on existing resources to stay alive, pastoral groups were able to breed livestock for food, clothing, and transportation, creating a surplus of goods. Herding, or pastoral, societies remained nomadic because they were forced to follow their animals to fresh feeding grounds. Around the time that pastoral societies emerged, specialized occupations began to develop, and societies commenced trading with local groups. Dr. Dan-Bright S. Dzorgbo, Sociology Dept. UG Slide 12

13 Industrial Society The use of machines to produce goods and services Market production Profit motive Alienation Dr. Dan-Bright S. Dzorgbo, Sociology Dept. UG Slide 13

14 Topic Three: Social Interaction SOCIAL INTERACTION: refers to the ways in which people respond to one another. Interaction is the basis of social life It is the basis of building and maintenance of groups, families, communities and society Social interaction creates many times creates relatively repetitive and enduring social relations which constitutes structure or social structure Dr. Dan-Bright S. Dzorgbo, Sociology Dept. UG Slide 14

15 The Importance of Interaction in Everyday Life Social interaction is possible because as human beings we have the ability to think, evaluate and make meanings of what others say or do and also respond to them accordingly. Without interaction, we cannot carry on life with others; we cannot build relationships; we cannot function in groups; and we cannot cooperate with others in collective activities. Scial interaction as the renowned American sociologist George Herbert Mead (1934) maintains is the essence of life. Interaction makes social life orderly, predictable and meaningful. Ultimately, human societies are created and sustained by individuals engaged in social interaction. Types of Interaction Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication as Basis for Interaction Direct and Indirect Interaction The Social Construction of Reality The Social Stage: Actors, Positions and Impression Management Negotiated Order Social interaction is a situation where actors and individuals are constantly sending out and receiving subtle messages and meanings. Thus what emerges as the reality of a particular encounter is one that the participants in the given interaction situation have arrived at. The reality of a social interaction can thus be said to be a negotiated order. I Dr. Dan-Bright S. Dzorgbo, Sociology Dept. UG Slide 15

16 Topic Four: Social Structure Repeated and more or less predictable patterns of behavior Refers to the ways in which a society is organized into predictable relationships Social structure provides an organized and focused quality to our group experiences and it allows us to achieve our collective goals Dr. Dan-Bright S. Dzorgbo, Sociology Dept. UG Slide 16

17 Topic Five Concepts for Analyzing Social Structure Status is the positions within a group or society. By means of status we locate one another within specific social structures. Status can be ascribed, achieved and master status ASCRIBED: refers to status that are assigned to you by society ACHIEVED: status secured through competition or by choice MASTER STATUS: a status that overshadow the other statuses Dr. Dan-Bright S. Dzorgbo, Sociology Dept. UG Slide 17

18 Concepts for Analyzing Social Structure (cont d) Role is a set of expectations that define the behaviour of the occupant of a status. Role set is the multiple roles associated with a single status. Role Conflict exists when individuals are confronted with conflicting expectations as a result of their simultaneous occupancy of two or more statuses. Role Strain is the situation in which individuals find the expectations of a single role incompatible, so that they have difficulty performing another role. Dr. Dan-Bright S. Dzorgbo, Sociology Dept. UG Slide 18

19 Social Structure(cont d) Social Institutions are the key elements of social structure. Social institutions have been evolved by society to organize, direct, and execute the essential tasks of living. Through social institutions, society provides solutions to the fundamental problems of human existence Dr. Dan-Bright S. Dzorgbo, Sociology Dept. UG Slide 19

20 Social Structure(cont d) The major institutions are : Marriage and Family Institution Educational Institution Economic Institution Religious Institution Health Institution Political Institution Dr. Dan-Bright S. Dzorgbo, Sociology Dept. UG Slide 20

21 Social Structure(cont d) Marriage and Family Procreation Regulation of sexual relations Socialization of the young ones Economic Product and Consumption Emotional Care and Support, etc. Dr. Dan-Bright S. Dzorgbo, Sociology Dept. UG Slide 21

22 Social structure(contd) Religion: Integration, moral values, coping and explaining the unknown, Politics Maintenance of law and order Warding off of external agression The exercise of political authority the distribution of power Distribution of scarce resources Dr. Dan-Bright S. Dzorgbo, Sociology Dept. UG Slide 22

23 Social Structure(Contd) Economy The production & distribution of the goods needed for survival Hunter-Gatherer Agrarian Industrial (Capitalism) Industrial (Socialism& Communism) Dr. Dan-Bright S. Dzorgbo, Sociology Dept. UG Slide 23

24 Social Structure(Contd) Education Individuals to learn the culture of the society Acquisition of skills, values, etc. Health The restoration of health and wellbeing of members of the community Types of Health providers Health seeking bahavious Dr. Dan-Bright S. Dzorgbo, Sociology Dept. UG Slide 24

25 Conclusion In this session you have learnt to define society, Identify types of society define social interaction, and social structure explain how society constitutes social structure identify the components of social structure as the social institutions and practices Dr. Dan-Bright S. Dzorgbo, Sociology Dept. UG Slide 25