Sociological MindsetA way of seeing.
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FInding COnnectionAt the heart of sociology is our desire to know "the self" and the way in which we simultaneously yearn for social connection with others. Finding this connection becomes more challenging as we evolve, grow, age, and get to know ourselves more deeply. However, there are challenges in the modern day that take us away from "the self" and can distract us from experiencing meaningful relationships with others unless we pay close attention.
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research & data collectionHearing words like "research" and "data" can sound complicated and minimally interesting. Even when we are not engaging in formal research, we are taking in "data" of all kinds when interacting with other people. In the first video blog assignment for class, students were asked to use three "action" words to describe themselves, although most of what was shared were adjectives. It reveals to us that when we collect data, often we do not get exactly what we were hoping for - and that is one of the many challenges of data collection.
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data analysisThis video shares the results of an anonymous and voluntary evaluation to demonstrate to students how research is collected and analyzed. It also demonstrates some of the challenges of both open-ended questions and those with a limited number of choices. Students will also understand the power of interpretation.
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sexual orientation or preference?An interesting idea to ponder is the way in which language is interpreted and used. In the case of terms and concepts related to the myriad of human identities, especially those related to sexuality, it is apparent that there are a number of divergent viewpoints and perceptions. We use language to create and navigate our social realities, therefore, an examination of language itself can yield new insights into the ways that people think, feel, and behave.
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WHAT DO LOVE SONGS TELL US ABOUT OURSELVES?I can say with great certainty, that there are a LOT of love songs that have been made and enjoyed through the ages. What is you favorite love song and why is it your favorite? Is it the sounds, the lyrics, the memory of a moment that once happened that still rattled your soul? Tapping into what makes a love song so meaningful can mean taping into the possibility of compatibility with someone else.
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GENDERED LANGUAGEWe can all make contributions to creating a more equitable society and one of the most basic ways you can do this is through the language that you use each and every day. Language not only shapes our reality and the reality of others, but it can change our very mindset. When we actively stop using words that are gendered, like chairman, mailman, etc., or when we address an audience using "Good evening, everyone" instead of "ladies and gentlemen," we will belaying the foundation!
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EMOJIS & COMMUNICATIONMost of us use emojis to communicate with others daily—whether via text message, social media, or email. However, we often assume that the receiver of the message knows exactly what the emojis mean. Through a Google survey administered in two of my sociology classes, we were able to take a preliminary look at what a pilot study looks like and discuss the challenges and rewards of qualitative research.
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POPULATION GROWTH PROJECTIONS: A CLOSER LOOKThe world is full of people, currently 8.1 billion, but how FULL can it get? This remains a question that is pondered by many people. including sociologists. By taking a close look at work population numbers as well as birth and death rates, we can make more meaningful and informed decisions about our own reproductive choices. How the micro and macro interact with one another is highly apparent when looking at population.
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Gender socialization & the toys of our childhoodReflecting on the toys that we played with as children allows us to see where gender socialization may have taken place. Distinguishing between the toys that were purchased for us, the toys that other children had, and the ones we gravitated towards gives us very interesting points of reflection and understanding of our identities.
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Friends with Benefits—Destigmatizing the advantagesSexual intimacy comes in a lot more shapes, sizes, and forms than we might like to admit. Openly discussing the advantages of adult arrangements like "friends with benefits," can result in more expansive thinking about the many ways we can fulfill our ever-changing needs and desires for connection in a responsible way.
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OBSERVATIONAL RESEARCH AND EXPLORING OUR OWN PERCEPTUAL BIASESI can think of no better method for understanding the complexities of human behavior than studying people through the methodology of observational research. In fact, when you think about it, we do a lot of this in our everyday lives! Observational research can yield new questions and formulate new ways of looking at people, who continually evolve and change over time and within human societies..
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SOME THOUGHTS ON SOLOGAMYSologamy or autogamy is marriage by a person to themself. Critics argue that the practice is not legally binding unlike traditional marriage as well as rooted in narcissism and self-aggrandizement, whilst supporters of the practice argue that it affirms one's own value and leads to a happier life. In the modern day, many are searching for "existential meaning" that goes beyond having children or getting married in a traditional monogamous arrangement, but does sologamy fill this gap?
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FORGIVENESSForgiveness is such a tug-of-war between our ego and emotions that coming to the decision to forgive could last months if not years! While forgiveness varies from place to place, issue by issue, there is great promise in its power to heal and transform both individuals and communities alike. Research in this area is challenging, but there is a universal understanding of what forgiveness is and what its inherent benefits.
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LOOKING AT LOVEExamining love through three academic lenses enables us to step back and reflect on its significance for us. Across different societies, cultures, and historical contexts, love is a pervasive and enduring aspect of humanity, given and received in limitless quantities. Understanding our own expectations about love is crucial for cultivating intimacy with others and ourselves.
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the acculturation gap in IMMIGRANT familiesThe demands of modern life significantly challenge the strength and resiliency of the family. For immigrant families, this can be significant and lead to conflict, disconnection, and a potential loss of traditional culture. This video highlights some strategies that immigrant families can employ to lessen the stresses and strains of living in a new society.
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THE ECOLOGICAL SYSTEMS MODEL/ECOLOGICAL SYSTEMS THEORYDeveloped by Urie Bronfenbrenner in the 1970s, this model posits that a person's development is affected by the various layers of their environment which interact with each other. Bronfenbrenner’s model highlights the complex and dynamic interplay between individuals and their environments, recognizing that development is influenced by multiple layers of context, all interacting over time.
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VISUAL SOCIOLOGYDeveloping the ability to decode images and recognize their underlying messages is essential for all members of a society. Visual sociology offers a methodological approach within sociology that prioritizes the use of visual data—such as photographs, videos, films, and other media—to explore social life, culture, and interactions. This framework serves as both a tool for data collection and a means of analysis. In the classroom, integrating visual media can foster deep discussions about the complexities of our social world, offering a fresh approach to crafting writing prompts and engaging students.
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The SOcial Construction of RealityThe social construction of reality is a concept from sociology and philosophy that refers to the process by which people collectively create and maintain a shared understanding of the world through social interactions. It suggests that reality, as we perceive and experience it, is shaped by social, cultural, and historical contexts rather than being purely objective or fixed. It's so interesting to ponder and really helps ground us in our assessment of our own lives and the lives of others.
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Symbolic interactionismSymbolic interactionism is a sociological theory that focuses on how individuals create meaning through social interactions, emphasizing the role of symbols, language, and shared understanding. It suggests that people act based on the meanings they derive from these interactions, and those meanings can change through further interactions. This approach highlights the subjective nature of human behavior and how society is continuously constructed through interpersonal communication.
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cultivating empathy:
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GENDER and the body:
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Inventories and the likeTaking self-reflective inventories, surveys, and other assessments is a great way to get to know yourself a little bit more deeply. When it comes to your intimate relationships, knowing how you and other people connect, communicate, and grow with one another over time is fascinating to reflect upon and can be quite helpful if you want to visualize and set forth pathways of personal growth—both individually and shared.
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SOCIOLOGY & FORGIVENESSThe sociology of forgiveness examines how the act of forgiveness is shaped by social factors, including the dynamics of relationships, social norms, power structures, and cultural contexts, exploring how people navigate forgiveness within their communities and how this act can be used to repair relationships, maintain social order, and address societal conflicts; essentially, it looks at forgiveness not just as a personal decision, but as a social phenomenon with wider implications.
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ROLE CONFLICT & ROLE STRAINIn this video, we’ll explore the concepts of role conflict and role strain—two challenges that arise when juggling multiple social roles. Role conflict happens when the expectations of different roles clash, like balancing work deadlines with family responsibilities. Role strain, on the other hand, occurs when the demands within a single role become overwhelming, such as a student struggling to meet all academic expectations. The student role can oftentimes be extremely stressful and challenging.
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Ah, aging . . .Aging is an inevitable process that affects both the body and mind, leading to physical decline and cognitive changes over time. While some aspects of aging can be managed through lifestyle choices, others are beyond our control, making it important to embrace and adapt to the process. Socially, aging can bring challenges like loneliness and isolation, particularly for those who have never lived alone before. However, learning to enjoy one's own company and engaging in new activities can help build resilience and independence. Communication also shifts with age, as we interact differently depending on generational and situational contexts, from casual conversations to professional settings. Ultimately, recognizing and understanding both our own aging and that of others can foster greater empathy and awareness in how we engage with the world.
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advantages of "friends with benefits"Friends with benefits (FWB) relationships can offer several advantages, especially for those seeking companionship and physical intimacy without the emotional demands of a committed relationship. They allow individuals to explore their sexuality in a safe and familiar environment, often reducing the pressure and awkwardness that can come with casual hookups. FWB arrangements can also provide emotional support and a sense of closeness without the expectations of long-term commitment, which can be appealing during busy or transitional periods of life. When both people are clear about their boundaries and communication is open, these relationships can be satisfying and drama-free.
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