Introduction to Sociology - Essay Example

Introduction to Sociology What is your understanding of the “sociological perspective”? How does this perspective contribute to the study and understanding of human social behavior? How is the sociological perspective useful in analyzing social situations today? Provide an exampleSociological perspective is the study of human behavior and interaction by looking at both the local and global picture of human interaction. Socialization is studied at micro and macro levels. Additionally, at each level, the interaction is studied using concrete evidence as well as generalization of available facts.

This approach is imperative in understanding human behavior since it makes it possible to understand human behavior at personal and global levels (McNall 9-14). Understanding of human behavior is important since factors such as distribution of resources, human interaction, politics, relationships, morals, culture, among others depend on our understanding of socialization. Therefore, sociological perspective comes in handy. 2.  What is meant by the term “cultural relativity”? Why is it so important from a sociological perspective to practice cultural relativism when studying other cultures?

Provide an example of an activity or practice within a culture other than your own which must be understood within that specific culture.Cultural relativity implies that what could be culturally permissible in one culture could be totally intolerable in another culture. It simply means that there is not right or wrong culture when the culture is analyzed from the lens of different cultures. Since different people in different culture value different things, it becomes important to use cultural relativism so as to get a neutral ground when studying different cultures (Cancian 3-7).

One good example of a practice that is sensitive to cultural relativism is Japanese way of etiquette. While Japanese bow down for greetings as a form of greetings, Americans prefer a handshake. Similarly, some African cultures prefer a hug. Each has a deep meaning in its own cultural context.3. Explain one of the following theories of deviant behavior: differential association, control or labeling theory. What is the major premise of the theory? How can the theory be used to explain deviant behavior in society today?

 Differential association theory, posited by Edwin Sutherland argues that deviant behavior stems from the fact that humans adopt behavior from others. Simply put, people adopt values, motives and other life aspects from the immediate environment. In this argument, criminal behavior is likely to be adopted from other people within the society, who could be having similar criminal behavior (Kendall 190-192). Deviant behavior in the modern society can be analyzed using differential association theory.

Rise in deviant behavior could be correlated with the presence of deviant behavior stimulants such as crime prone neighborhoods that encourage emergence of deviant behavior. 4. What impact, if any, did the election of the first African American President of the United States have on race relations in this culture? Provide two examples to support the position that you take. Election of Barrack Obama as the first African American President of the United States was received with positivism and enthusiasm by many people, who are race sensitive.

The election had a positive impact in that the world came to understand that culture has nothing to do with abilities (Cancian 33-35). Actually, acceptance of Obama as a president is good evidence of decline of racism in America.5. According to sociology, what is a ? List and briefly explain five characteristics of minority groups. How might minority group experience change as the population of minorities continues to grow in this society?Although minority groups have many defining characteristics, the most common are population, dominance, preferential treatment, social status occupation.

Minority groups are often small in number when compared with the rest of the population where they exist. They hardly have any dominance on the social, political, financial or any other aspect. Minority groups often demand for preferential treatment as they seek to maintain their autonomy and existence. They also occupy low social status in the society. As the population of minorities continues to grow, minority groups are most likely to experience increased desensitization from the society. This is possibly because the minority groups will be absorbed albeit slowly into the majority groups hence becoming extinct with time ( Healey 13-17).

Works CitedCancian, Francesca. Cultural relativism. Michigan: General Learning Press, 2009. Print.Healey, Joseph. Race, Ethnicity, Gender, And Class: The Sociology of Group Conflict And Change. New York: Pine Forge Press, 2005. Print .Kendall, Diana . Sociology in Our Times. London: Cengage Learning, 2012. Print.McNall, Scott. The sociological perspective: introductory readings. London: Little, Brown, 2007. Print.