1.4 More on the three sociological paradigms/perspectives!  (Page 6/6)

The war in Iraq which began in 2003, according to the Symbolic Interactionist paradigm, is being fought to send a message to Islamic terrorists that the US cannot be attacked with impunity, and to support the image of non-white, non-Christian people as dangerous to our way of life.

The September 11, 2001 terrorists used the symbols of American power—the World Trade Center, New York City, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C.—in order to deliver a message to the world concerning their perception that the United States is the cause of the misery of Muslims in the Middle East as well as throughout the world. The perception of reality is often more real than the concrete reality itself, because sometimes we act based on what we think or believe more strongly than on what is really real. The actions of the terrorists were a form of language, a method of communication that was extreme, because the message was extreme.

The socialization process is voluntary, and we can accept or reject the values and norms of society at will.

The values and norms of society change moment by moment based on our mutual, day-to-day interactions with one another.

People follow and accept the values and norms of society only if those values and norms serve their own needs and permit them to be more comfortable in their society.

The social structure exists only in the minds of individuals and small groups and has no objective reality; it is subjective/internal, abstract, voluntary, and in constant flux.

The social structure is based on social interaction, statuses, roles, groups, social networks, social institutions, and societies in which small groups and individuals create consensus.

The social structure is subjective, abstract, and constantly changing.

The social structure exists within every individual and it is through our everyday interactions with one another that the abstract social structure is created, and continuously re-created, every moment of every day.

The bureaucracy consists of groups of people interacting with one another in patterned ways, on a day-today basis.

The bureaucracy provides a mechanism for social intercourse among disparate groups and individuals.

The bureaucracy is a major characteristic of large-scale industrial societies.

The bureaucracy is the method by which large-scale formal organizations create interaction.

Deviance is conditional, situational, and relative to time, place, situation, and culture.

Deviance is based on the perceptions of individuals.

The language used to label groups or individuals as deviant, is highly symbolic and “coded.”

Individuals have the capacity to accept or reject the labels that society creates in the mirror.

Inequality is based on individual reactions to their own perceptions of the social structure.

Because the social structure is subjective, inequality is also subjective and based on individual interpretations.

Emphasizes exploring the changing meanings attached to family.

Shared activities help build emotional bonds.

Marriage and family relationships are based on negotiated meanings.

Social resources are brought to the marriage by each partner including education, physical attractiveness, intelligence and family status.

Schools play a vital role in shaping the way students see reality and themselves.

Authoritarianism prevalent in schools impedes learning and encourages undemocratic behavior later in life.

Schools create serious difficulties for students who are “labeled” as learning disabled or less academically competent than their peers; these students may never be able to see themselves as good students and move beyond these labels.

Teacher expectations play a huge role in student achievement. If students are made to feel like high achievers, they will act like high achievers, and vice versa. (External Link)&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

Religion is a set of symbols that identify and join adherents.

Religion is shared among groups and between individuals.

Religion provides meaning.