Could not double space on here it is type correctly on Google docs link at the end of the essay.
As a freshman in college I can't in knowing I wanted to be a psychologist with this I wanted to takes social science classes that would help me understand people, so I to psychology and sociology. I found that much of what we learned in sociology I had already suspected before even taking the class, and found the factual information that I was told from my professor and I read in the text quite interesting. We went from Sociology In A Changing World to Class and Global Inequality in the text.
In the beginning of the semester we began with Sociology In A Changing World. I learned that sociology is the "systematic study of the relationship between individuals and society." (Croteau/Hoynes p.5) I also learned about how sociology begun in the 1800's as a result of the dramatic change taking place in society. The definition of sociology is the connection I had with this class in relations to psychology, I first had to understand people and their place in society and how they obtain that place and who assigns them the roles they play in society, before I go straight to picking the brains of my future clients. We then moved on to Understanding the Research Process "the two key components, theory and data act together in social science research" (Croteau/Hoynes p.39) This let me know how information is collected that influences the theories that sociologist come up with after much experimenting and the peer-review process. This was extremely close to what I was learning about the research methods of psychology which will come in handy if I would find thy I have come up with a theory of my own when evaluating clients in my future profession. Society puts individuals in groups according to how similar their lifestyles are; one of the most important parts of the grouping is culture which I learned in the Culture chapter that "culture is the collection of values, beliefs, knowledge, norms, language, behaviors, and material objects shared by a people and socially transmitted from generation to generation" (Croteau/Hoynes p.59)
As we got deeper into the semester I got a sense of the social structure which "is recurring patterns of behavior." (Croteau/Hoynes p.87) Through a sociological lens one might observe how an individual responds to simple interactions and their action which may go against or follow the structure. The Power chapter was rather simple and too the point it was about who has power in society and those that abuse their power and exploit others. A lot of this I had already known because of a class I took in high school. Although this did not have too much to do with psychology it is valuable information to know for me to know and understand personally. The next topic we studied was the chapter of Socialization. "Socialization is the process through which people learn their culture's basic norm, values, beliefs, and behaviors." (Croteau/Hoynes p.137) This start to touch on identity and how your identity is molded by agents of socialization. This will help me have a broader sense and a better understanding of how the life-course perspective comes into play when evaluating clients.
Later we moved on to Deviance and Social Control where I learned how the norms are set, by the people in power and who they are set based off of which are the people in power. "Deviance is the behavior that does not conform to basic cultural norms and expectations" (Croteau/Hoynes p.191); deviance can become a norm through a process called medicalization of deviance and will no longer receive stigma or be a subject of the labeling theory. This chapter is very interesting to me because I feel like it screams the production of psychology taking "deviant" behavior and making is a medical disorder which you'll need psychologist to step in. Finally there is Class and Global Inequality much of this I was aware of because of the class I mention earlier that I took in high school. The class system that was brought up I was aware of a lot of what was discussed in regards to this system; but the global inequality I will admit I was not completely aware of in regards to the core nations periphery nations but I did know about the relationship with the semi-periphery nations and I feel like I didn't know about this because then the core nations like the United States would look like bullies, and it's doesn't seem as bad when it's a semi-periphery nation like China because they are better integrated, have a stronger base, and are middle income nations. This helps me understand the difference in different kinds of health issues. This chapter also influenced me to strive to do my best to achieve my individual mobility.
This class truly helped me. I learned new things, I talked and heard about things I already knew about, I got a lot of insight on people that will help me better in psychology. I even got to go to the Apollo Theater for the first time in my life I've lived in New York all my life I've even lived in Harlem on 140th and Frederick Douglas even now that I live in Brooklyn I go visit my friends on 140th and Broadway and the first time I went to the Apollo was because of this class. I really enjoyed that experience I will take the information I learned in this class with me in life especially why I learned in the chapter on Class and Global Inequality. This class really helped me develop a broader perspective which was one of my main goals when I enrolled in this class.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/12yc0TI9ZbGPot2j7r2qR0DnECwUfMwKj2RNZxDV6w7o/edit
Signed; The Outlook Blogger.
Friday, December 21, 2012
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Segregation and Integration.
Article 2: Fences and Neighbors: Segregation in 21st-Century America
This article is about how there is still segregation within living and how although the amount is decreasing there is still segregation in living conditions and the neighborhoods that different races live in. How it is more likely that in Southern and Metropolitan areas there is more integration rather than in Northern areas where integration is processing slowly. Also how money is the popular cause of segregation, due to the fact that people with similar money situations usually live amongst each other.
Personally I find this to be true because I know people that like in the metropolitan areas in New Jersey and Ohio. I know people that live in the south in Florida.
Segregation rates for other rates are rather low less than half these minorities are Hispanics, Pacific Islanders, Asian Americans and the 1/3 of Native Americans that's do not live on segregated reservations. " No other minority group faces the extreme segregation in housing that African Americans do other groups face segregation of varying levels and have not seen significant downward trends." (Farley and Squires pg.2)
I found it interesting that our segregated living situations are honestly the worst of all minorities I've always had that idea in my head about that but I figure it was Hispanics too and I didn't know that any Native American lived off the reservations and that even their living situations are less segregated than ours.
"Although African American have long been and continue to be the most segregated group, they are notably more likely to live in integrated neighborhoods than they were a generation ago." (Farley and Squires pg.1)
This quote stuck out the me because I can relate to it on a personal level. I have a friend that lives by eastern parkway, I live in Bushwick for a long time my friend was telling me I lie in the hood what not until my friend came to visit me and when my friend was waiting for me at the train station I went to meet them and when we were walking to my house my friend said "I didn't know so many white and Spanish people live over here" I said "yeah so what does that mean", "that you don't live in the hood" I said "but I told you that I don't live in the hood." my friend said "I didn't know so many of white and Spanish people lived over here though." So because of the kind of people that live in my integrated neighborhood this means I dont live in the "hood" at least according to my friend. Which I found interesting.
Signed; The Outlook Blogger.
This article is about how there is still segregation within living and how although the amount is decreasing there is still segregation in living conditions and the neighborhoods that different races live in. How it is more likely that in Southern and Metropolitan areas there is more integration rather than in Northern areas where integration is processing slowly. Also how money is the popular cause of segregation, due to the fact that people with similar money situations usually live amongst each other.
Personally I find this to be true because I know people that like in the metropolitan areas in New Jersey and Ohio. I know people that live in the south in Florida.
Segregation rates for other rates are rather low less than half these minorities are Hispanics, Pacific Islanders, Asian Americans and the 1/3 of Native Americans that's do not live on segregated reservations. " No other minority group faces the extreme segregation in housing that African Americans do other groups face segregation of varying levels and have not seen significant downward trends." (Farley and Squires pg.2)
I found it interesting that our segregated living situations are honestly the worst of all minorities I've always had that idea in my head about that but I figure it was Hispanics too and I didn't know that any Native American lived off the reservations and that even their living situations are less segregated than ours.
"Although African American have long been and continue to be the most segregated group, they are notably more likely to live in integrated neighborhoods than they were a generation ago." (Farley and Squires pg.1)
This quote stuck out the me because I can relate to it on a personal level. I have a friend that lives by eastern parkway, I live in Bushwick for a long time my friend was telling me I lie in the hood what not until my friend came to visit me and when my friend was waiting for me at the train station I went to meet them and when we were walking to my house my friend said "I didn't know so many white and Spanish people live over here" I said "yeah so what does that mean", "that you don't live in the hood" I said "but I told you that I don't live in the hood." my friend said "I didn't know so many of white and Spanish people lived over here though." So because of the kind of people that live in my integrated neighborhood this means I dont live in the "hood" at least according to my friend. Which I found interesting.
Signed; The Outlook Blogger.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Class and Global Inequality
Chapter 9
This chapter is about the structure of the class system and the role it plays in society and the role the different roles play in society. It speaks about Marx's theory of relationships to production; and Weber's theory on people's "life chances: the likelihood a person has of obtaining valued economic and cultural resources." (Experience Sociology p.234) and "individual mobility: a change in a person's class position that occurs without any change in the larger class structure." (E.S. p. 229) I find this chapter to be factual evidence of information I was told for most of my life. While Professor A. mentioned while he was growing up he was under the impression that he was middle class, when in fact he realizes as an adult that he was a part of the working class. This was enforced in my house hold growing up my mother would continuously remind us (my two big brothers and I) to do well in school, and put education first so we can be better. She did not want us to be a part of the working class, struggling living paycheck to paycheck and working two jobs to make ends meet. Although society is not equal, through education and hard work individual mobility can be achieved. As a woman brought up in the working class. This chapter is easy for me to connect with my life, there are factors like the definition of the "working class: those who survive on the wages they earn." (E.S. p.222) The association between women and poverty; "feminization of poverty: a trend in which women made up an increasingly large share of the poor." (E.S. p.234) While there is not true equal opportunity through life chance "cultural capital: various types of knowledge, skills, and other cultural resources." (E.S. p.235) can be used towards "meritocracy: the notion that people are rewarded and are able to advance because of their abilities." (E.S. p.234) which can influence individual mobility.
Cause of Death: Inequality
The author Alejandro Reuss starts out by discussing the inequality that is not broadcasted in death and how the less educated, less fortunate, and African Americans, seem to suffer more then and are not as healthy as well educated, more fortunate Whites. The lower your rank in society "the worse your health and the shorter your life are likely to be" (Cause of Death: Inequality p.1) While the less fortunate people in America have more materialist advantages than other less fortunate people in different countries; the suffering in health is equally as bad. I do strongly agree with the health disadvantages associated with class, race, gender, education, and income is extravagant. I feel personally connected to this because, my grandparents Black immigrants from Jamaica that have lived here for over 30 years of their lives. All have extreme sickness heprobably kidney problems, high blood pressure, glaucoma and/or diabetes. This is in all four grandparents, three out of four have high blood pressure and diabetes; and the other has all the listed sicknesses. With all these health issues it will be difficult to experience long lasting life.
Signed; The Outlook Blogger.
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Norms v.s. DEVIANCE
What are the norms? Norms are a culture's rules and expectations for "appropriate" behavior. Norms are set by those with power in society and are not fixed. Behavior that violates the norms of a culture is often labeled as DEVIANT.
Deviance is the behavior that does not conform to basic cultural norms and expectations. Chapter 8 is about Deviance. This chapter goes over the forms of deviance and what contributes to deviance and causes one to evade deviance also, agents of social control and what can change deviance.
Chapter 8 made me think a lot about my brothers. I have two older brothers. The eldest A, was the "good" one and then the younger one R was "bad". Throughout childhood R would always get into trouble, and was labeled as the bad child, he would steal, fight, and lie; he cause a lot of trouble. While A was quite, more involved with school with extra curricular activities such as sports. As R got older he continued to be known as the bad child this is referred to as the labeling theory; the theory that deviance is the result of how others interpret a behavior and that individuals who are labeled deviant often internalize this judgement as part of their self-identity. As he got older things only got worse dropped out of school, gangs, selling drugs, jail. The deviant behavior continued until the last time he was incarcerated, he stopped the life of crime; but instead of going back to school he settled for low rate, dead end jobs and months at a time of unemployment spending his days sleeping and gaming, being supported by the state welfare and unemployment, while he discontinued his life of crime, he continued the deviant behavior. Although R does not do illegal activities anymore his behavior as a unemployed man that can not support him self financially is not the norm, therefore this behavior is deviant. Meanwhile as A gets older although he continues to be known as the good child graduates from college moves out of the house is employed and supports him self financially he works two jobs to support himself, his family and his younger unemployed brother that lives with him. Being hard working and finishing school is the norm. My point if it is not clear is the labeling theory and the idea of norms versus Deviance is a working theory, and is experienced as a part of our everyday life.
Then there is the article that speaks on deviance and how class and race play an important role regarding power in society and in the justice system. They use example how class triumphs race using the OJ case of a prime example of how if OJ was poor he would have not been acquitted and the case would not have received any publicity. Even with drugs crack which is more affordable receives more time in prison rather than cocaine which is the pure more expensive substance. "Cocaine and crack differ only in the sense that crack is a mixture of cocaine and other materials, usually not controlled substances, that serve as a filler."(GetSmartAboutDrugs.com) In society deviant behavior and the stigmas that are attached to the behavior or the punishment given for violating norms vary in retrospect to race and class. I find that this true that class comes before race. If you are wealthy, you are usually better off when it comes to acts of deviance. Deviant behavior is often over looked, or the punishment is more lenient rather than as harsh, as poor and the people that live in poor communities which are predominantly black and brown people. The following quote with factual information confirms this "African Americans are victimized by robbery at a rate 150% higher than
whites; they are the victims of rape, aggravated assault, an armed robbery 25% more often than
whites. Homicide is the leading cause of death among young black men. Because we live in segregated
communities, most crime is intraracial; the more black crime there is, the more black victims
there are. But at the same time, the more law enforcement resources we direct toward protecting
the black community from crime, the more often black citizens, especially those living in the inner
city will find their friends, relatives, and neighbors behind bars." (Cole p.3) These are facts about how race and class prevent equality in the justice system and how stigmas, and punishment vary according to race and class.
Signed; The Outlook Blogger.
Deviance is the behavior that does not conform to basic cultural norms and expectations. Chapter 8 is about Deviance. This chapter goes over the forms of deviance and what contributes to deviance and causes one to evade deviance also, agents of social control and what can change deviance.
Chapter 8 made me think a lot about my brothers. I have two older brothers. The eldest A, was the "good" one and then the younger one R was "bad". Throughout childhood R would always get into trouble, and was labeled as the bad child, he would steal, fight, and lie; he cause a lot of trouble. While A was quite, more involved with school with extra curricular activities such as sports. As R got older he continued to be known as the bad child this is referred to as the labeling theory; the theory that deviance is the result of how others interpret a behavior and that individuals who are labeled deviant often internalize this judgement as part of their self-identity. As he got older things only got worse dropped out of school, gangs, selling drugs, jail. The deviant behavior continued until the last time he was incarcerated, he stopped the life of crime; but instead of going back to school he settled for low rate, dead end jobs and months at a time of unemployment spending his days sleeping and gaming, being supported by the state welfare and unemployment, while he discontinued his life of crime, he continued the deviant behavior. Although R does not do illegal activities anymore his behavior as a unemployed man that can not support him self financially is not the norm, therefore this behavior is deviant. Meanwhile as A gets older although he continues to be known as the good child graduates from college moves out of the house is employed and supports him self financially he works two jobs to support himself, his family and his younger unemployed brother that lives with him. Being hard working and finishing school is the norm. My point if it is not clear is the labeling theory and the idea of norms versus Deviance is a working theory, and is experienced as a part of our everyday life.
Then there is the article that speaks on deviance and how class and race play an important role regarding power in society and in the justice system. They use example how class triumphs race using the OJ case of a prime example of how if OJ was poor he would have not been acquitted and the case would not have received any publicity. Even with drugs crack which is more affordable receives more time in prison rather than cocaine which is the pure more expensive substance. "Cocaine and crack differ only in the sense that crack is a mixture of cocaine and other materials, usually not controlled substances, that serve as a filler."(GetSmartAboutDrugs.com) In society deviant behavior and the stigmas that are attached to the behavior or the punishment given for violating norms vary in retrospect to race and class. I find that this true that class comes before race. If you are wealthy, you are usually better off when it comes to acts of deviance. Deviant behavior is often over looked, or the punishment is more lenient rather than as harsh, as poor and the people that live in poor communities which are predominantly black and brown people. The following quote with factual information confirms this "African Americans are victimized by robbery at a rate 150% higher than
whites; they are the victims of rape, aggravated assault, an armed robbery 25% more often than
whites. Homicide is the leading cause of death among young black men. Because we live in segregated
communities, most crime is intraracial; the more black crime there is, the more black victims
there are. But at the same time, the more law enforcement resources we direct toward protecting
the black community from crime, the more often black citizens, especially those living in the inner
city will find their friends, relatives, and neighbors behind bars." (Cole p.3) These are facts about how race and class prevent equality in the justice system and how stigmas, and punishment vary according to race and class.
Signed; The Outlook Blogger.