Assignment 1 - Book Report/Review Example

SOCIOLOGY WORK of assignment] Sociology work The paper will undertake two assignments ly option 1 and option five and will try to achieve a balance between personal views and the scientific study of sociology. Several questions have to be answered in a practical setting in both options mentioned above.Option 1 One day journal – how people greet each other at different levels of social structure:Human beings are referred to as social animals. In other words, people interact with each other in diverse settings and environments and in different ways (Ballantine and Roberts 5-14).

This aspect has gained in importance over the years and has developed into a distinct science. The problem here in preparing the journal is that personal culture could influence scientific study of the topic. All efforts have been made to eliminate this personal bias. The journal is based on how people interact with each other through a one day observation. In Chapter 5 the authors write about levels of interaction. It can be assumed that a person meeting person in any of these levels will be a part of this observation journal.

The journal will focus on the stages Micro, Meso and Macro levels. The Micro level interaction is between the most intimate groups in the society. It could be family gatherings, clubs, church members etc. Generally outsiders will be seen as guests only, like a keynote speaker. Interactions would be more frequent (daily, weekly, monthly etc). I visited a church congregation during one of their daily sermons. As the sermon began, latecomers just nodded their heads to others. Being a holy place close physical contact was avoided.

But after the congregation began to emerge after the sermon there was visible exchange of handshakes, hugs and formal greetings. It is apparent that the social culture in such an environment does not allow intimate behavior on the one hand and violence on the other. On the whole it was a peaceful experience. Meso level interaction involves interaction at larger level, say communities or neighborhoods. I went to a community that is prone to violence. A lot of expletives were used by both men and women whether as a threat or as a greeting.

Handshakes were few in number. High fives and embraces were commonly seen. During interaction, the body language and clothes were casual. Many were seen leaning against walls. Peace loving individuals completely avoided people with records of violence and crime. Macro level interaction looks at a much wider framework that includes larger societies and could extend to the whole of the nation. I could not personally visit the Macro environment due to resources in terms of time and resources. But information was obtained through television broadcasts.

An example is how the President interacts with his advisors on matters of national interest. But unfortunately, the actual discussion is not broadcast. But it can be assumed that it will be a formal affair. Such nation level interactions are extremely formal with the handshake the most common form of initial interaction. The discussions too are formal Option 5: Observation with focus on gender inappropriate behaviors: This section deals with the concept of gender inappropriate (as opposed to gender appropriate) behavior experienced by this me.

According to one social learning theory, individuals and groups will develop gender appropriate behavior while punishment will discourage inappropriate behavior (Kay 7). The focus here is on punishments and rewards. So rewards that encourage inappropriate behavior could result in the individual or group to act in such a way. This reward and punishment is the primary responsibility of the parents, the family, friends and the community in which an individual stays. For example encouraging a girl who is tomboyish will result in gender inappropriate behavior.

Punishments can also cause inappropriate behavior in some cases. If a boy is compared to his sister or other girls, it could result in effeminate behavior. There are other factors involved like genetic and psyclogical factors as in the case of same sex marriage.I was in an absent minded mood and accidently walked into the ladies restroom which was quite fully occupied. Without noticing the oversight I went straight to one of the toilets. It should be noted that this was a mall and people of all races and income levels for purchasing goods or just strolling around.

I walked up to one the toilets still not noticing the fact that this was a ladies restroom. Generally as expected many of them screamed, ran away from my line of vision, while some of them politely, but firmly asked me to leave. On realizing my mistake I apologized and started to leave. But three women exhibited gender inappropriate behavior. Two began to hurl expletives that are generally used by men in rough localities. One heavyset woman caught me by the scruff and forcefully pushed me out of the restroom.

Women generally do not manhandle men, unless she belongs to a law enforcement agency. But this was an exception that I personally experienced in the restroom on that day. It is apparent that she comes from a locality that experiences violence and her social learning experience had taught her to be tough irrespective whether the other person is a man or woman. Upon enquiring discretely as to who the women was, I understood that she was a janitor working in that section. I was a bit shocked and highly embarrassed from this unpleasant experience.

ReferencesBallantine, Jeanne H, and Keith Roberts. Our social world - Condensed version. 2. SAGE Publications, 2009. 5-14.Kay, Paynee. Different but equal. Westport: Praegar, 2001. 7. Print.