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“Why am I joining this class”? Well for starters this is for my general education requirement, but what struck me was how similar it was to psychology. In high school I was in AP psychology and it was such a fascinating class. So when singing up for classes I knew I wanted to take it. Today in class when we talked about how sociology fits into many other disciplines and when I saw how also political science (my major) fits into this idea of sociology I was more than interested. I’m exited to see how this class will peak my inters because it already has. With my major and background in psychology already I’m sure to find connections in this class all around.

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When reading I was really stricken with the idea the sociology is motivated by the desire of what is really happening and what goes behind the scenes and study every aspect of life. Although this was the first line of the chapter it truly did resonate with the idea that life is o complex, deep, and meaningful just beyond what we see. That looking through any sort of lenses that everything is not so surface level. The way I did resonate so heavily with this is my pure curiosity in what life is. I was never satisfied with such vague answers or just simple meanings that had nothing behind them. I was always looking deeper and I think for myself is what is making me so interested. Rather than digging my head in the sand we look more closely at what is behind all of this, whether it be just social norms, society, and even humans there is so much more that we need to look at. In return, the chapter does state that many people have no desire or are contempt with not wondering or being curious, I do find to be odd. As humans I always thought we were all like that, but I digress. As moving forward in the readings, I learned about other social sciences in the discipline. I did notice that with all ideas, whether history, political science, or economics that they are all small sub-sects of sociology with very specific/niche ways of study. For example, political science the study of politics and government and the ways way a society governs themselves and hoe it relates to others. The way the sociology differs is by emphasizing actives. Another ways I saw this was through the idea of police officers. That looking a preconceived ideas about who is more like to commit crimes whether stereotypes, past experiences. Thus showing, how sociologist define those people and how that definition help determine arrest.

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In the reading it talks heavily on culture and the ways society has conformed to it. The way the it truly connects to America I found ways that if you never have been to this country the description of it is completely different from us. For example, the shrines that are built into the walls with potions and charms. This is better known as the medicine cabinet in the bathroom. Whether the medicine cabinet has a mirror on the front and vitamins, Advil, or make up it is part of American culture and society. That these places are sacred for humans people being focused on looks and well being it is apart of how we are. The outside look of it is that if you have never seen it then is foreign and never understanding of that culture until you have immersed yourself immensely.

A small tube of chalk, yet paste; coming in scents like no other. Putting in place sacred to all, bodies conforming to said scent. Yet something so simple has been used by all yet some seem to not use at all.

(Deodorant)

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In this it talks about nonverbal communication and preverbal communication. By the looks of both they are both ways of expression of the body. I can be eye contact, posture, and gestures. Or facial expression or walking styles. In a ways we can see this is that strong eye contact in America is seen as engagement and in other countries it’s shown as being inappropriate. In a sense on how I can connect myself to this is girl code. As a young woman I can tell you much on how eye contact or superficial gestures mean something more. For instance, when a girl we don't like or has a problem with us and is near said group the group or girls tend to show bigger eyes that are open and move the head signaling to look over there. It shows that communication between us isn’t meant to be said but seen. I think communication verbal or not in culture is seen drastically. It shows that not everything needs to be said but can be commented differently. I think in a cohort of girl in my case it’s another language but some language that doesn’t need to be heard. As I move on in the next reading I notice that Clark claims sympathy as currency. He uses this in a way to explain when to give, claim, reciprocate it. That it it shaped strategically, or essentially worthy of it. In a ways for me to understand it is that something really bad has to happened in order to recover it, like a death, an accident, or a break up. That in the sense that everyone had been through that and can empathize and give that sympathy. Or like when it isn’t derisively is trying to have a “pity party” and wanting that attention.

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In this video I did learn many things about tattoos, coming about the ban in New York in the early 1900’s or the cultural significance this putting ink on the body. That tattoo in social norms can be seen as unprofessional, deviant, or lesser looked at a criminal in some cases. Yet tattoos can have a sense of belonging, being in touch with culture. For example punk rock seen tattoo as art, a sense of belonging. Or the Native Inuits using ink for culture and rites or passage, something seen a ritualistic that is seen in their tribe. In many ways tattoo can be a form of cultural appropriation, like Native, Japanese, and Polynesian. That never being apart of these places, and have experiences what they have gone through doesn’t make a cool piece of permanent art, but takes away the meaning of what it is to be them. When it comes to tattoos being subcultural or countercultural I think its a bit of both. It depends where you are or what you are putting on your body. In many places it’s seen that tattoos are defiant and should be needed and some places they are seen as huge part of their lives and make them what they are. When it comes to tattoos over time especially cultural ones I think it has changes massively over time. Once again over the years people have seen these tattoos, although beautiful lack meaning or don't seek what it means to others. It leaves once again the idea of appropriation in mind. It takes away the significance of said tattoo. In the end tattoos are hard to say what is right or wrong because all over the world it means something different, but lesson is don't take away culture as something that is seen as cool to you when it was never meant for you in the first place.

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Sociological research is a complex and structured process that often follows the scientific method, which includes six key phases: asking a question, reviewing existing literature, formulating a hypothesis, designing the research, collecting and analyzing data, and drawing conclusions. This method provides a clear and organized framework that helps ensure the reliability, validity, and objectivity of the findings. However, not all sociologists strictly follow the scientific method; some use an interpretive framework that focuses more on understanding the meanings individuals attach to their social world. Regardless of the approach, careful planning is crucial, particularly in defining independent and dependent variables and applying operational definitions to ensure clarity and consistency in measurement.

Sociologists have several research methods at their disposal, each with specific advantages and limitations. Surveys, which can be conducted through questionnaires or interviews, allow researchers to collect data from large samples and are useful for quantifying opinions and beliefs. However, they may not accurately capture actual behavior and often face challenges such as low response rates and time-consuming data collection. Fieldwork methods—such as participant observation, ethnography, and case studies—offer rich, detailed insights into real-life behavior but are time-intensive and produce qualitative data that can be difficult to organize and analyze. Experiments are valuable for establishing cause-and-effect relationships by manipulating variables, but they can be ethically problematic and may trigger the Hawthorne Effect, where participants alter their behavior because they know they are being studied. Secondary data analysis involves examining existing data, such as government statistics or historical documents, which can save time and resources but may present issues if the data was originally collected for a different purpose or is difficult to access.

Ethical considerations are central to all sociological research. Sociologists must ensure the safety and well-being of participants by securing informed consent and maintaining confidentiality. The American Sociological Association (ASA) provides ethical guidelines that researchers are expected to follow, covering topics such as proper use of sources, responsible funding, and honest reporting of findings. Researchers are also expected to maintain value neutrality by setting aside personal beliefs and biases during the research process. They must report their results truthfully, even if the data challenges their own opinions or expectations. Ethical lapses in the past, often due to the absence or neglect of these guidelines, have resulted in serious physical or psychological harm to participants. Today, sociologists are held to high ethical standards to protect participants and maintain the integrity of their research.

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29-47, Henslin, Doing Sociological Research

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29-47, Henslin, Doing Sociological Research

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63-72, Pager Would you hire an ex-convict?

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63-72, Pager Would you hire an ex-convict?

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I go to Starbucks at Lincoln Center, get my coffee then sit and observe. I’ve become a regular there so I go when it’s busiest, the morning. Many people are sitting down with their friends. I observe many old men (an odd amount of old men), but I also see young couples and small families. I noice that many of the old men have their own cups of dark coffee, no paper cups that the shop gives. They all are sitting down seems like they have their designated spots. They all sit in silence for some time, yet talk in small increments, while taking small sips of the drink. It looks like they are just enjoying the company of their group. I notice younger groups walking in and out of the shop in their workout clothes, assuming they just went to Orange Theory or Shine. They are with their friends that they went with in their mid twenties or thirties just seeming to enjoy their company. They all move along and go with their day. Finally I see a young family with a small child no older than three. They are seeming to just enjoying their morning with their fun caffeinated drinks and a bagel and some juice for the small girl. They look happy, a small happy family. No problems, but just enjoying their morning as a family. Everyone seemed in their own worlds just in the small patio outside of the coffee shop. It was a quaint way of seeing the world, especially Stockton. It was almost wholesome and harmonious in a way.

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Self-development and socialization are central to understanding how individuals become functioning members of society. Sociologists like Charles Cooley and George Herbert Mead emphasized that the self is not developed in isolation but through social interaction. Cooley introduced the concept of the "looking-glass self," where we shape our self-image based on how we think others perceive us. Mead expanded on this by explaining how we develop a sense of self through role-taking and interaction with others. Later, Lawrence Kohlberg studied how morality develops in stages, while Carol Gilligan added that gender plays a role in moral development, noting that men and women often approach ethical decisions differently due to social influences.

Socialization is crucial because it not only shapes individuals but also maintains the stability of society and culture. While nature—our genetics and biology—has an influence, sociology focuses on nurture, or the social environment. Behavior often differs based on social class, culture, and gender, showing how powerful social influence can be. Socialization occurs through agents such as family, peers, schools, workplaces, and the media, all of which teach us how to behave, what to value, and how to fit into society.

Importantly, socialization continues across the entire life course. As people enter new stages—like becoming adults, parents, or retirees—they learn new roles and expectations. Sometimes, individuals go through resocialization, a process that involves unlearning old behaviors and adopting new ones. This often happens in structured settings like the military or prisons and can be challenging, as it requires letting go of familiar habits. Overall, socialization is a lifelong process that shapes not only who we are but how we connect with and function in the wider society.

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This passage explores how society and self-identity are socially constructed through interaction. Berger and Luckmann introduced the idea of habitualization, where repeated actions form patterns that become accepted as reality. Institutions, like schools, exist not just physically but because people collectively agree on their function—this is known as institutionalization. W.I. Thomas’s Thomas Theorem emphasizes that if people define situations as real, they become real in their consequences, leading to outcomes like Merton’s self-fulfilling prophecy. Symbolic interactionism further explains that we create reality through shared symbols, gestures, and language, which vary across cultures. Social roles and statuses shape our behavior—some are ascribed at birth, while others are achieved. Conflicts can arise between roles (role conflict) or when one role is too demanding (role strain). Erving Goffman’s theory of dramaturgy compares social life to theater, where individuals perform roles and manage impressions depending on the social setting. This ties back to Cooley’s looking-glass self, which suggests that we develop our self-image based on how we believe others perceive us. Together, these theories show how society and identity are continuously shaped through interaction and perception.

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Required Entry: Agents of Socialization 

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Required Entry: Agents of Socialization 

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When I was a student as St. Mary’s it was a secondary agent of my life. The idea of college was heavily influenced, just because it is a college prep school. The idea was that community college and trade school wasn’t an option. They expected and taught that four year university’s were the only option and at the time I agreed. When I was in my senior year it was very obvious the my parents were heavily encouraging of community college; they both went and said it was a life saver for them. Unlike my parents and just being taught for the past four years that UC’s and CSU’s were just meant for me. In April of this year I found out that I didn't get into Calpoly SLO, which really meant I’m going to Delta. I was taught so much later about college from my parents that I was so set in putting all my eggs in one basket on colleges just because high school was the only proponent of being taught what I knew best at the time. Obviously I took my parent’s advice and defiantly without choice I’m at Delta. As I get used to the idea of community college I am growing to like it more and it was for my best interest at the end of the day. My primary agents at the end of the day knew my best but didn't teach me on until later about the different aspects of college, but rather the secondary instilled in my since freshman year that UC’s and CSU’s are the only option, which they aren’t or not meant for everyone.

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Required Entry: Good teaching leading to better learning

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Required Entry: Good teaching leading to better learning

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Groups play a crucial role in shaping individual identity and behavior. Sociologists categorize groups into primary and secondary types: primary groups are close-knit, long-term relationships like family and close friends, while secondary groups are more impersonal and goal-oriented, such as coworkers or classmates. People often define themselves in relation to these groups, which can promote a sense of belonging but also foster exclusion and prejudice. Group size and structure significantly impact dynamics; smaller primary groups typically function without formal leadership, while larger secondary groups often require designated leaders. Leadership in secondary groups can take on expressive (emotionally supportive) or instrumental (task-focused) roles, and leaders may be democratic, authoritarian, or laissez-faire in style. Conformity is another key aspect of group behavior, with studies showing that individuals are often willing to abandon personal judgments to align with group norms—even when doing so leads to questionable ethical choices. On a larger scale, society is organized into formal organizations, which can be normative (voluntary), coercive (forced), or utilitarian (practical benefit-driven). Despite growing demands for flexibility and innovation, many institutions remain bound by rigid bureaucratic structures. This is reflected in the increasing uniformity of local communities, a phenomenon sociologist George Ritzer terms the McDonaldization of society, where efficiency, predictability, and control replace individuality and local character. This analysis highlights how group membership influences identity, behavior, and societal structure, often balancing the needs for both personal connection and institutional efficiency.