The statement by Newman in the first chapter is very precise in its diction and is well supported by sociological concepts and evidence. The daily social life to which Newman refers can be summarized into individual decision making and interactions with others.
Individual decision making often appears to be (and feels like) complete free will, totally based on a bubble of individual thought, but that is not the case. Upbringing and personal opinion weigh heavily on someone’s life, but the world is full of stimuli. Newman’s statement highlights personal characteristics AND social forces. Even amongst individual decision making, “the attitudes of significant people in our lives and the cultural and institutional forces that structure our lives …show more content…
This idea of front stage (in front of an audience with which people intend to give a certain impression) and back stage (inner thoughts or unaltered social interaction) is complex and insinuates that people are conscious of how other people view them. Simply by stage dynamics, Newman’s societal forces are proven to alter interactions, but the concept of social interaction permeates deeper than conversation. Social image affects how people make decisions as well. Throughout time there have been social hierarchies, but “contemporary developed societies [are] focused [on] individual achievement-being well dressed, popular and stressful- more strongly than ever before. Young people face almost constant pressure to "measure up" and define their identities, and therefore their self-worth, according to standards set by others” (Ch1, 11). Social decision making is greatly affected by how people feel they are viewed by others (role taking). People can attempt to change “thoughts, actions, feelings, decisions, interactions, and so on” based on how they want to (or do not want to) be viewed by others, or society. Just as moderators of political debates wear purple ties to symbolize non-partisanship, “the purveyors of … musical subcultures use clothing and hairstyle as an expression of identity and social rebellion” (Ch6, 176). Beyond altering external appearance (be it actual appearance or behavior) …show more content…
Society and individuals are very intertwined and as he stated cannot be understood individually without the connections to each other. As dependent variables, they function similarly to a government and a constituent. The constituents create the government and at the same time must follow its principles. Sociology is very complex and is not a means of perdiction interactions and decisions but rather as a tool of reflection for the goal of understanding. Understanding individuals and society is the first step in sympathizing with others and understanding why we act the way we
Individual decision making often appears to be (and feels like) complete free will, totally based on a bubble of individual thought, but that is not the case. Upbringing and personal opinion weigh heavily on someone’s life, but the world is full of stimuli. Newman’s statement highlights personal characteristics AND social forces. Even amongst individual decision making, “the attitudes of significant people in our lives and the cultural and institutional forces that structure our lives …show more content…
This idea of front stage (in front of an audience with which people intend to give a certain impression) and back stage (inner thoughts or unaltered social interaction) is complex and insinuates that people are conscious of how other people view them. Simply by stage dynamics, Newman’s societal forces are proven to alter interactions, but the concept of social interaction permeates deeper than conversation. Social image affects how people make decisions as well. Throughout time there have been social hierarchies, but “contemporary developed societies [are] focused [on] individual achievement-being well dressed, popular and stressful- more strongly than ever before. Young people face almost constant pressure to "measure up" and define their identities, and therefore their self-worth, according to standards set by others” (Ch1, 11). Social decision making is greatly affected by how people feel they are viewed by others (role taking). People can attempt to change “thoughts, actions, feelings, decisions, interactions, and so on” based on how they want to (or do not want to) be viewed by others, or society. Just as moderators of political debates wear purple ties to symbolize non-partisanship, “the purveyors of … musical subcultures use clothing and hairstyle as an expression of identity and social rebellion” (Ch6, 176). Beyond altering external appearance (be it actual appearance or behavior) …show more content…
Society and individuals are very intertwined and as he stated cannot be understood individually without the connections to each other. As dependent variables, they function similarly to a government and a constituent. The constituents create the government and at the same time must follow its principles. Sociology is very complex and is not a means of perdiction interactions and decisions but rather as a tool of reflection for the goal of understanding. Understanding individuals and society is the first step in sympathizing with others and understanding why we act the way we