SomBlog #11

Dorothy smith

The concept of Alternative Sociology seems to me, to be the real form that any form observation exists as. As impartial as an administrator of a survey or test may be, the final interpretation after the fact, may be influenced. An example of this could be a choice when describing two groups in conflict. There would be two main options to describe the smaller power, the insurgents or the freedom fighters. Both titles can be accurately applied to such a small group involved in a conflict. However one gives a positive look and the other a negative, and the labeling for the group is entirely dependent on what is chosen to be recorded and again reported.

                Perhaps I should be more specific to that of a sociologist facing the difficulties of remaining objective. First of all, any to be considered credible sociological examination would require in-depth and/or time consuming examination. One of the main purposes or functions of a sociologist is to explain or propose an explanation for what was observer. The time spent collecting the data would most likely, result where the sociologist having a significant understanding of the context in which the events or actions occurred. In this way the explanations may likely refer to the internal perspective and be mentioned with intended meaning instead of how it was perceived by an outsider. In this it is possible that the whole set of proposals are in some degree biased. I think that the only way for a non-biases explanation of whatever information is gained through sociological observation, is if the notes and any data were examined by a second and unattached sociologist. Otherwise there may be no explanations, and only bland statistics and records.

                There is a danger of any biased observations, regardless of the field that they are for. That danger is the overlooking or marginalization of the things that are drastically important but are not necessarily considered by the subjects in question as important. The ignorance of these things could not only distort simple information, but also cause great harm if the biased information is taken as truth and actions taken based upon it.

I found this cool little explanation of biasness

Summ Blog #10

Effect Neutrality

(NOTE: I am playing Devil’s advocate)

 

 

                From what I can discern, there seems to be an assumed superiority in the relationship preferring Affectivity, (emotional attachment) opposed to Affect Neutrality (lack of emotions). It is usually argued that the emotional bonds that attach each and every other person, place, and thing together provide for motivations that lead to protection and generosity.  I can agree to this proposition; however that does not mandate that it is solely Affectivity as the only way in which the resulting outcomes can be processed.

                Instead however, under certain conditions Affect Neutrality can also produce the same results that are normally attributed. On a large scale, the medical and emergency practice of Triage is a process that requires greatest good. A short and sweet definition of Triage is as follows: When there are not enough resources to address all cases of need, a system of priority distribution must be enacted. It is in these kinds of cases that an emotional attachment or a biased sense of sympathy is likely to result with an immoral application of Triage procedures. It is there for preferred that an individual or small leadership staff, have the ability to intentionally enter into a mental state of Affect Neutrality.

It is in this way of thinking that both Affectivity and Affect Neutrality can be identified as both having limitations under conditions of specified sorts. The limitations of Affectivity, not only are applicable to Triage, but are also relevant when applied to the attachment to material items. I am not referring to family heirlooms, photos, or frequently used items like a cell phone. What I am referring to, are the instances where there is an individual with so much affection towards everything the own, that they never throw anything away.  These peoples are stereotyped as Hoarders. Such individuals that keep so much items in their home, that it constitutes an unsafe environment. It is in this form that Affectivity is actually harmful.

Summ Blog #9

Socialization

                The social processes involved with socialization could perhaps be considered as underrated or overlooked, when considering the normal conduct of those within any given social structure. Without any socialization occurring, there would likely be complete irrelevance of any formal structure set up. It is the mutual understanding of each member of a society that socialization provides for said society’s strength and endurance, against the passage of time or other forces threatening to tear it down.

            The processes of socialization exist in different areas, based on each member’s individual conditions and relations towards others. It is these differing and distant points of reference that requires socialization to unify the mass population. Considering those who are of high privilege, those born of low social standing, and newcomers into the society, it is apparent that some form of unification is needed to keep mass confusion or perhaps anarchy, from developing

                 My personal experiences of socialization are by no means unique or extraordinary. Instead, for me, I would describe it as mainly adjustments as necessary. My socialization first began with town located in the state of Massachusetts.

            The location and environment that I can first remember socialization, was residing on the shores of a lake that straddled the state border with New Hampshire. As for reasons I am still to this day unaware, when the lake froze over in the winters, residents from either side of the border played against each other in games of Ice Hockey. This being an obvious example that I learned from in the concept of a competitive society, was expanded by the make-up of those teams. The teams involved were constructed so that any person thirteen or older was included on the opposing sides regardless of gender. From this setup of competition I can see how I not only view genders to be considered equal, but to also consider that age is not a requirement to compete with when pursuing success. Possibly, my view that those who are older than me are a source of learning, yet still only a competitive marking point, could be attributed to such competitions with those who were senior.

              I see that Socialization is in no way guaranteed to be a simple discernable or definable process. Instead I see it as an individually customized requirement. And as such requiring an individual to have a progressive attitude or at last have a strong need to be.

 

Sum Blog #8

George Herbert Mead

      When considering the Generalized Other as continuing to exist as a member of a given group, it appears to simply be a process of maintaining a status quo. Whether it be as a member of a particular recreational activity group or that of a professional one, skills and abilities already possessed along with credit from previous time provide for a benefit. It is far to easy to maintain a relationship that has already been established.

     The more difficult part of socialization, it to create social ties and acceptance when one must begin with no advantage. The simple example of this is for an individual or group who have, by  choice or not, relocate to an area that is vastly different from where they have been accustomed. A simple example of this feeling could be demonstrated for an individual than drives a care every day. If you were to suddenly swap out the vehicle so that they now have to drive with a different configuration, they could have a feeling if not belonging inside that car.

     Last Saturday night I experienced the difficulties in transferring from one generalized other to another.

     When I was attending the International Dinner held at UWSP, I was comfortable with the random discussions that I had with the equally random fellow guests that I was sitting near. This was mainly in part due to the luck of having two of the other participants in discussion sharing similar backgrounds. One was a fellow Army veteran and the other also recently moved to Wisconsin from the Boston area.

     After the dinner however, I was engaged and invited by a group of students to go drinking at the bars down town. This group in question was at a majority made by students who were enrolled into the ESL (English as a Second Language) program. Thought the night they spoke almost exclusively in Spanish, which is a language I know little to none of. It was in the sense of socialization also awkward when I stopped drinking alcohol far earlier than the rest. Some success in this was achieved after I explained that I do not live in Stephen's Point, and had so sober up before driving home.

Sum Blog #7

Socialization of Inequality

 

I should apologize in advance because what I am going to blog about is in essence a rant on the deplorable degradation that is apparent concerning the intelligence of the younger and some older members of the U.S. population in regards of history and common sense. It is our inequality of education and intelligence. 

Anna Julia Cooper has presented an interesting viewpoint or observation, that inequality is the product of the social education that the people are given. What I see by this is that in a capitalistic society, where consumption is held as a virtue, the values of an individual can me marginalized to reflect such a value scale.

Much can be said for the state of the United States in regards to that example of socialized inequality. With our social focus of the next best thing, in conjunction to our focus on the future, not much attention is spent on the present or even the past. I see some consequence of this “In a Rush” mentality appear whenever I encounter these, “YOLO” or “SWAG” quoting individuals, some of which are older than me, and I’m 26.

What should not stand out or be focused on are these “Beliebers” acting in the moment, the illogical ramblings I see in interviews such as the one given by Rebeca Black, or an Ex-governor of Alaska who now has a reality show. What happened to the “History” on the History Channel? There has been a great disconnect from the important phrase, “Those who don’t remember their history, are doomed to repeat it!” 

 

Do Not Play with Young Children Presesnt

 

With that rant out of the way, in terms of social equality, we in the United States are generally socialized to accept others as valued individuals if not perfectly equal. I’m referring to unfortunate pocket s of holdout bigotry such as the westborough baptist church (intentionally not capitalized). We also still have that disparity of male and female pay wages which need addressing but we are doing relatively ok. The big difference is the comparison of our socialized inequality or equality when compared to those nations is obviously far worse than we are. Places like radical Middle East nations or North Korea, compared to them, we may have some lingering items on our “To Do” list, but I think we have got most of that stuff checked off.

Summ Blog #5

Rationalization

From what I can understand from what is proposed by Max Weber, rationalization is somewhat like turning the people of a society into an assembly line. for me this appears to much of a hindrance for the health of the society as a whole. I know it might sound like the top one percent's argument at first, but let me explain.

The saying, "let everyone have the opportunity to fail" may seen a bit harsh, but it is what leads to the advancement of a society, in my opinion. Case and point, out of all great achievements and inventions, none of them were perfect on the first attempt. the process of trial and error is how any intelligent being refines an idea to make it stronger or better. By this process, the failures are the reason to try again.

How does this apply to rationalization you might ask? That's because from what I can tell of the ideology of rationalization, is that it limits the possibilities of invention are creative alternatives. It does this because that is the result when you completely regulate and organize a society into a perfectly neat and organized system.

Now, on the opposite side of the scale from rationalization, is as I see it, is anarchy. Now for obvious reasons, anarchy also hinders the processes that allow for invention and advancement. So logic should infer, that the best is a combination of both so that a central position on the scale can be established. to maintain this position some form of government is needed.

Unfortunately a part of the identification of Rationalization, is that the longer a governing body exists, the harder it is to change. Meaning that after a while, the government that was set up will have a difficult time adjusting to maintain its purpose. With out an answer to "How do we make a government that wont degrade?" is answered, I see any and all societies either in a stalemate or in decline. That isn't to say that no advancement is possible, it's just that not as much as could is occurring.

 Feeding School Children

Government Failure at a Basic Level.

 

 

SumBlog#4

 

The 3 kinds of Authority

Webber

 

The three kinds of authority proposed by Webber, although defined differently and separate, don't seem to be able to exist on their own when expanded onto the macro scale. What I mean by this is that from all that I can recall there is a balance of over lap. Lets start in the beginning and continue chronologically. Before an individual becomes a figure of authority, they start off with no Rational or Traditional power. They are unknown at this point and have no real experience. This leaves the Charismatic authority, and this is most likely gained through direct experience. From this charisma, the individual may now convince a group of people to allow that person to represent and lead, thus adding Rational authority to that gained by charisma.

 

During the individual's time spent as a leader, problems and tests should occur that would threaten the status as a leader. If a failure occurs, it is the time to re-use the Charismatic authority developed from the beginning. If the person did not maintain the Charismatic authority, then they would be replaced. After a while if successful, the people that are led would become complacent and habituated creating the Traditional authority. After this point the original leading individual's children and other family, benefiting from the success of the former, could begin to pursue or inherit their own leadership roles.

 

However, these new leaders who get their start from another, are not immune to the maintenances required to keep their authority. Failure in this would lead to a over throw by newcomers who have the Charismatic and Rational authorities. This is easily demonstrated by the many usurpations and rebellions that occurred through out the history of any areas that hosted empires. So in the end, it appears that on a large scale, and especially in the political histories of this world, the three types of authority: Rational, Traditional, and Charismatic, exists in a varying array of combinations, to allow for lasting periods of authority.

 

Just the basics to start becoming a leader!