Summary of Chapter 4, 5, 6 and 9
Chapter 4: Society and Social Interaction
This chapter discusses society and social interaction. In sociology, social interaction is regarded as a dynamic exchange between two or more people thus, it is regarded as a building mass of society. Through interaction, people can design rules, schemes and associations under which they seek to live and operate. Chapter 4 also analyses different types of societies where societies are groups according to their level of development and more important according to their use of technology. Another section of this chapter is an analysis of the theoretical perspectives on society. Under this subtopic, Emile Durkheim believes that societies grow through transitions that are from mechanical to organic. On the other hand, Karl Marx states that society is in existence due to class conflict. Another sociologist by the name Max Weber states that the rationalization of different societies can be classified as dangerous states. Therefore, when there is a rise of capitalism, workers tend to become separated from others and themselves in society. Another essential section in this chapter is the social constructions of reality where society is based. The way society is defined matters since it gives a clear implication of how society is structured. Similarly, the way people are seen by others influences their actions towards them. Moreover, from this chapter, we all have different roles in our lives, therefore, the rate of our social interaction is subject to the type of role we take responsibility for, who we are responsible with then and the place where the kind of interaction takes place (Keirns et al., 2015).
Chapter 5: Socialization
Chapter 5 examines the significance of the multifarious procedure of socialization and its process through the form of interaction with different people, groups and institutions. This chapter also analyzes how socialization is essential to children as they develop and also an enduring process to adults as it prepares people for new social surroundings and different expectations in all the stages of our lives. The first section of the chapter discusses the prelude to socialization where it describes the techniques that people use to understand the norms and expectations of the society, the beliefs and values. However, socialization does not imply the act of socializing but rather a sociological process that only takes place through the act of socializing. Another crucial section in this chapter is a discussion regarding theories of self-development. When a child is given birth, there is always a genetic and biological trait that is generated. Human beings develop through social interaction where it is the process of self-development thus implying self-becoming socialized. Section 5.3 of this chapter analyzes the reasons why socialization matters. Socialization is a crucial aspect of human beings where we get to learn how we progressively become and how we get to view ourselves in the eyes of others. Socialization helps us to learn who we are and how we can accommodate ourselves in the world that surrounds us. Another section in this chapter is the agents of socialization which explains how the process of socialization occurs through the act of interaction with several agents of socialization like peer groups and families. Moreover, this chapter analyzes how socialization takes place across the life course as we grow older (Keirns et al., 2015).
Chapter 6: Groups and Organization
Focuses on the prelude to groups and organizations, types of groups, the size and structure of groups and formal organizations. Groups are important since they define the way people think of themselves. The two main types of groups are primary and secondary groups. The difference is that primary groups are long terms and tend to be very complicated while the secondary is temporary and easy. Individuals use groups to define themselves of who they are and who they are not. However, on the other hand, the chapter explains that groups can be used to exclude people and also as an element that strengthens bias. Moreover, in terms of the size and structure of a group, it affects how members act. Therefore, in primary groups, leaders are informal and are large when people are many. Also in secondary, leadership functions differently in an expressive manner where much of the focus is on emotional health and wellness. Moreover, this section also discusses different leadership styles in this group. Another important section in this chapter is section 6.4 which discusses Formal organizations. In this part, large organizations are grouped into three main categories which include: normative, coercive and utilitarian. We are living in the error of high technology usage where the pace of advancement requires individuals to be more quick and agile and less administrative in their thinking process (Keirns et al., 2015).
Chapter 9: Social Stratification in the United States
Chapter 9 is divided into five subtopics. This chapter discusses the definition of social stratification, social stratification and mobility in the United States, global stratification and inequality and more important, theoretical perspectives on social stratification. A good number of sociologists define social stratification as the system of social standing. However, social stratification refers to the categorization of the society and its people in terms of ranking of the socioeconomic levels based on the aspects of capital, income, race, education and more important power. Social class is a grouping based on aspects like wealth, education, occupation, economy and income. These aspects usually affect the amount of power and pride an individual has over others. Therefore, social stratification reflects the unequal dissemination of resources. Moreover, in most cases, having more money means having more power and prospects. Therefore, things that affect social standing include race, gender, ethnicity and ancestry. Global stratification also relates to inequality where it compares the power, wealth and economic stability worldwide (Keirns et al., 2015).
References
Keirns, N., Strayer, E., Griffiths, H., Cody-Rydzewski, S., Scaramuzzo, G., & Sadler, T. et al. (2015). Introduction to sociology.