Recent orders
Sociologists perceive society in dissimilar ways
Social Institutions
Author’s name
Institutional Affiliation
AbstractSociologists perceive society in dissimilar ways. Some perceive the world fundamentally as an ongoing and stable entity. Sociologists are impressed with the fortitude of family, and other diverse social institutions. Some sociologists perceive society in relation to numerous factions in conflict, contending for inadequate resources. Other sociologists consider the most intriguing facets of the social world are the daily, regular interactions between individuals that are often taken for granted. Others lay focus on how disparities founded on gender are the outcomes of social, biology, cultural and historical factors. The most widely employed theories by sociologists include the conflict, functionalist, and interactionist, perspectives (Cohen, 2005).
Table of Contents
TOC o “1-3” h z u Abstract PAGEREF _Toc315525339 h 2Introduction PAGEREF _Toc315525340 h 3Sociological Theories PAGEREF _Toc315525341 h 4The Family PAGEREF _Toc315525342 h 4Functionalism PAGEREF _Toc315525343 h 5How Functionalism Applies To the Family PAGEREF _Toc315525344 h 5How Functionalism Affects the Views of the Individual Who Is Part of the Family PAGEREF _Toc315525345 h 5How Functionalism Affects the Approach to Social Change in the Family PAGEREF _Toc315525346 h 5Within the Family How Does Functionalism Theory Affect the Views of Society? PAGEREF _Toc315525347 h 6Conflict PAGEREF _Toc315525348 h 6How the Conflict Theory Applies To the Family PAGEREF _Toc315525349 h 6How the Conflict Theory Affects the Views of the Individual Who Is Part of the Family PAGEREF _Toc315525350 h 6How the Conflict Theory Affects the Approach to Social Change in the Family PAGEREF _Toc315525351 h 7Within the Family How Does the Conflict Theory Affect the Views of Society? PAGEREF _Toc315525352 h 7Interactionism PAGEREF _Toc315525353 h 7How the Interactionism Theory Applies To the Family PAGEREF _Toc315525354 h 8How Interactionism Affects the Views of the Individual Who Is Part of the Family PAGEREF _Toc315525355 h 8How Interactionism Affects the Approach to Social Change in the Family PAGEREF _Toc315525356 h 8Within the Family How Does Interactionism Affect the Views of Society? PAGEREF _Toc315525357 h 8Similarities and Differences of the Three Theories PAGEREF _Toc315525358 h 9Conclusion PAGEREF _Toc315525359 h 10References PAGEREF _Toc315525360 h 10
Social Institutions
Family
IntroductionSocial theories provide unambiguous understanding of the bigger social picture in an individual’s life. The social theories help in understanding how individuals relate with each other in the society and the consequences of human behavior. The sociology of the family is characterized with a wide range of issues. All these issues affect an individual or the community at large. Some of these issues include abuse of drugs, domestic violence and divorce. Other issues include juvenile delinquency and teenage pregnancies (Adams, 2010). Family sociology helps to understand the structure of the family. This is in the perspective of an institution and the role it plays in the society in various sociological perspectives. This paper posits to evaluate the impact the Sociological theories, of Conflict, Functionalism, and Interactionism have on the social institution of the family.
Sociological TheoriesSociologists create theories to explain different social phenomenon. A theory is an anticipated relationship linking two or more conceptions. Sociological theory may be described as a set of interconnected ideas that facilitate for the systematization of information in relation to the social world. This information is then utilized to elucidate the social world as well as provide projections concerning the impending occurrences in the social world (Cohen, 2005).
The FamilyThe family is the smallest structure in the society. The family is also the most all-encompassing and inclusive agent in relation to socialization. A family comprises of in excess of one person and ends up making a group of people. Though the family tends to be small, various guidelines govern all functions that occur in the group (Adams, 2010). The guidelines create various behaviors within the group. These behaviors help to distinguish a family with the rest of the groups in society.
FunctionalismFunctionalism is fundamentally a structuralist theory. This means that it perceives social structure as more significant than individuals. Functionalists perceive society as held together through cohesion, or social consensus, whereby, family members agree upon, and collaborate to accomplish, what is most appropriate for society in general (Cohen, 2005).
How Functionalism Applies To the FamilyThe theory of functionalism helps to understand the roles that each member of the family ought to perform in order to maintain a strong relationship (Vissing, 2011). These roles also help in making sure that all the family members act and perform according to the set norms in the society. Functionalism helps in examining the effects that a family causes to the whole society.
How Functionalism Affects the Views of the Individual Who Is Part of the FamilyThis particular theory also helps to examine effects it causes to each individual in the family union. These means that functionalist helps to socialize every family member with the activities around in order to benefit both individually and society (Cohen, 2005).
How Functionalism Affects the Approach to Social Change in the FamilyFunctionalism theory affects the approach of social change in the fact that, government or state provides various needs to the family. That help, keeps the government running and after all, it benefits from payment of taxes (Adams, 2010). For example, the government provides education to the children and eventually the family is eligible to pay taxes to the authorities in order to keep the government running as required. This is how family approach to social change in the society as explained by functionalism theory.
Within the Family How Does Functionalism Theory Affect the Views of Society?This particular theory also affects the views of the society in the sense that when everything goes well in the family, various parts of society are able to attain stability and attain a high level of productivity (Adams, 2010). For example, when there is financial recession, most families tend to tighten their budget and this affects the whole society. In regard to its downside, functionalism is highly criticized for disregarding the depressing functions of an occurrence such as separation and divorce.
ConflictThe conflict theory seeks to explain social structure and changes in it by alleging that actors follow their respective interests in conflict with other people in accordance with their resources for societal organization. The conflict theory expands the Marxist investigation of class conflicts, although it is disconnected from any ideological obligation to socialism. The theory of conflict broadly examines the manner in which families are deal with the occurrence of differences and change within the institution (Vissing, 2011).
How the Conflict Theory Applies To the FamilyThis particular theory defines that it is possible to curb the occurrence of conflicts in the family. The only requirements are that members are able to identify the source of conflict are who ought to hold power in the family (Cohen, 2005).
How the Conflict Theory Affects the Views of the Individual Who Is Part of the FamilyConflict theory apply to sociology of the family in the sense that it helps to make sure members of the family are able to solve their own differences and relate well with other members of the society. The theory affects views of various individuals in the family in the sense that every one has their role in the reconciliation process whenever conflict occurs (Adams, 2010).
How the Conflict Theory Affects the Approach to Social Change in the FamilyConflict theory tries to show how various members of the family struggle for power and disagree in a number of issues. The theory explains that all this conflicts occur because of the need to compete for available resources and power. The theme also explains that the occurrence of conflict in the family and the society is normal and inevitable. However, the problem related with conflict is the increase in its damaging levels that contribute towards making splits and separation in the family. Conflict theory also states that damaging levels that result after disagreements might result in to divorce and unresolved anger (Vissing, 2011).
Within the Family How Does the Conflict Theory Affect the Views of Society?Conflict theory affects the views of the society in the sense that it helps people to understand one another and offer respect hence encouraging human growth and development. Contemporary conflict theorists come across social conflict between every group, including the family, whereby there is potential for disparity. Conflict theorists posit that that disparities in families lead to conflicting agendas and values, and eventual competition amongst family members. This continuous competition amongst family members forms the foundation for the ever-transforming nature of the society in general. Critics of the theory point to its excessively negative analysis of society (Schlomer et al, 2011). InteractionismThe symbolic interactionist theory, also referred to as symbolic interactionism, persuade sociologists to reflect on the symbols as well as details of daily life. The sociologists in this regard focus on the implication of symbols, and how individuals interact with one another (Cohen, 2005).
How the Interactionism Theory Applies To the FamilyThis theory states that it is only through the social behaviors that the family can be able to transform and help the society to come together. Segregation may be witnessed in the family at even at the society levels (Nunes, & Dupas, 2011). This is because not everybody is happy with what others are able to perform. Therefore, this theory defines that family members are able to develop means of understanding through social interaction.
How Interactionism Affects the Views of the Individual Who Is Part of the FamilyThis theory affects views of every member in the family on the actuality that each family member develops their own sense of interaction therefore being able to socialize with other members of the society (Nunes, & Dupas, 2011).
How Interactionism Affects the Approach to Social Change in the FamilyThe theory’s approach to the social change is found in the sense that after people interact, change is created in either positive or negative way that affects the whole society (Vissing, 2011). For example, one of the established positive changes that occur because of this theory is motivation.
Within the Family How Does Interactionism Affect the Views of Society?The theory affects various views of the society in the sense that interactions help to build understanding in family relations and therefore people are able to participate in society welfare (Cohen, 2005).
Similarities and Differences of the Three TheoriesThe similarities of all the theories are that they help in understanding how the family ought to present itself in the society. Unlike the functionalists who preserve the status quo, evade social change, and suppose people work together to achieve social order, the conflict theorists, on the other hand, dispute the status quo, promote social change, and believe that powerful and rich people compel social order on the weak and the poor. The differences of the theories are that they tend to disagree on various circumstances on power sharing between family members and in the society (Cohen, 2005).
The table1 below depicts a comparison between the three sociological theories in relation to their respective view of society, view of the individual, view of the social order, view of social change, and examples.
Table 1. Comparison of the Three Sociological Theories
View Conflict Functionalist Interactionist
The society Characterized by struggle and tension between groups. Well integrated, and stable. Dynamic in manipulating daily social interactions
Social order Maintained through coercion and force. Maintained through consensus and cooperation. Maintained by collective understanding of daily behavior.
The individual Individuals are shaped by coercion, authority, and power.
Individuals are socialized to execute societal functions. Individuals influence symbols and generate their social worlds by means of interaction.
Social
change Change occurs always and may bear positive consequences. Reinforcing, and predictable. Represented in individuals’ social status and their interactions with others.
Example Laws strengthen the positions of the people in power. Public punishments strengthen social order. Individuals obey laws or defy them based on individual past experience.
(Cohen, 2005).
ConclusionFamily sociology facilitates the understanding of the structure of the family as an autonomous institution and its role in the society in diverse sociological perspectives. The above three illustrated theories helps to show that family is a union that plays a key fundamental role in the well-being of the society. Therefore, family as a unit is eligible to make social change in a negative, or positive way. Managing the family helps in strengthening every aspect of the society. ReferencesAdams, B. N. (2010). Themes and Threads of Family Theories: A Brief History. Journal of Comparative Family Studies, 41(4), 499-505.
Cohen, P. (2005). Global Sociology. N.Y: New York U.P.
Nunes, M., & Dupas, G. (2011). Independence of Children with Down syndrome: The Experiences of Families. Revista Latino-Americana De Enfermagem (RLAE), 19(4), 985-993.
Schlomer, G. L., Del Giudice, M., & Ellis, B. J. (2011). Parent–Offspring Conflict Theory: An Evolutionary Framework for Understanding Conflict within Human Families. Psychological Review, 118(3), 496-521.
Vissing, Y. (2011). Introduction to Sociology. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education.
Sixties Liberalism Article Review
Sixties Liberalism Article Review
Name
Course
Date
Introduction
Many years may have passed, but our actions today, just like in the earlier days, are governed by statutes which are upheld and articulated in the amendments that make up the bill of rights. The laws enacted, regardless of the provision, are bound to receive resistance and critics; they are various movements that come up to resist or support their enacting, example the call of the planet protection can be credited to the discussion on how to protect our planet better. The focus below will be on a review of an article by summarizing and highlighting the author’s opinion while offering my insights.
Summary
To begin with, the author sheds light on the civility that was enacted in 1942 and still upheld in the 60s; it accommodated uncivility in some aspects. As asserted by the author, the uncivility resistances stemmed from the civil rights movements that employed direct non-violent actions. Also, people used the Mahatma Gandhi lack of violent conflict in the 1906 campaigns and relied on the Gospel notion that one should love their enemies. Additionally, the author talks of the various forms that the protest took, which challenged both the civility complexity and the caste system. Unfortunately, while the non-violent protest was said to yield results, the whites claimed that they were attacking civility; the need to protect themselves shifted the peaceful protest to becoming violent ones. The author also talks of the counterculture movement whose advocates attacked the compromises and restraints of the civil society by valuing authenticity and not civility. During this period, as stated by the author, the lifestyle changed the lifestyle from the way of clothing to the use of drugs; it tried to enact new civility. Lastly, the author asserts that the issue of order and freedom has been handled today as a result of the institutional decorum, which is said to be problematic when there is a universal, equal rights commitment.
Critiques
The author has undoubtedly articulated his views on the 1960s, and the change that happened and its effects on today’s society. I agree with him on various points; first, the author has highlighted the reasons that direct non-violent actions shifted to violence was by the oppressors viewing them as brutal. The evidence of this is depicted by the unrest that law enforcers employ when they feel threatened. Also, the author states that the counterculture that ended in the 1970s was a period that challenged the civility, and the use of drugs was enhanced; this is true since people termed the drugs as substances to free themselves from the civility upheld. Additionally, it was during this period was associated with the hippie lifestyle not only in the dressings and use of drugs but in the general outlook. The need to redefine sexual codes is also related to this movement. Lastly, the changes evident today, just as claimed by the author, were attributed by the decorum by the Supreme Court.
Conclusion
From the above discussion, the 1960 changes contributed to the American culture shift today, while some words were considered inappropriate today we hear them across the various media platforms. Also, the critics of the way of life then termed the adoption of a different way of life as immoral this is also evident in our society today. The author has also emphasized the shift of the non-violent protest to the violent ones; in today’s society, people are resolving to peaceful protest, but just like back then in the event the oppressors feel threatened, everything turns to the worse.
Bibliography
Farber, David R. 1994. The Sixties. Chapel Hill: The University of North Carolina Press.
Simulation technique used to facilitate strategic planning
Simulation technique used to facilitate strategic planning
Presented by
Institution
Introduction
Coevolutionary gaming is one of the simulation tools used in facilitating strategic planning in businesses today. Most global companies employ this tool in developing strategies that make them fair ahead of their competitors and enjoy the global competitive advantages. The coevolutionary gaming tool finds much use on the defense industry. The military used it in planning their war attaching techniques because it gives a clear analysis of what the enemies might be planning. On the business context, the tool is used in decision making process whereby concrete decisions are made concerning a market entry strategy both for local and global markets (Harris & Bullock, 2002). The following analysis shows how coevolutionary gaming can facilitate group decision making, and the main limitations for this tool.
Defining the problem
Cares and Miskel justified how coevolutionary gaming tool could be used in facilitating group decision making process when the group is faced with complex scenarios. The tool assists in developing plans that not only cater for the present situation, but also look at the future strategies. The coevolutionary gaming theory calls for decision makers to take every plan into consideration irrespective of the amount of impact they have in an organization. Moreover, coevolutionary gaming theory enables training of decision makers from zero-knowledge without any biases on decision strategy terms. In addition, the decisions made through the theory are sensible and adapted to the current business environment. On the other hand, coevolutionary gaming tool facilitates decision making by basing its arguments on the available data and maintain the status quo where possible outcomes are considered. Coevolutionary gaming theory still facilitates communication process in group decision making since it avoids conflicting of ideas and thought, but encourages cooperation between teams (Cares and Miskel, 2007).
Analyzing the cause
Coevolutionary gaming is a highly effective simulation tool in designing business strategies. The tool has significant effects on crucial aspects of group decision making strategies like communication and critical thinking. With the current business environment, organization managers have a duty to come up with crucial decisions on how to carryout their business operations. There is a challenge on the high growth rate of the business environment due to globalization the advancement of technology. Coevolutionary gaming technique contributes to the settling of disputes between decision makers because it provides an opportunity for understanding between parties. In addition, the tool eradicates biases among groups with a common goal.
Effects on communication
Communication is a major aspect in all business decision making processes. Perfect communication between the group decision makers results into a perfect strategic plan that makes an organization progress in front of the competitors. Communication is very essential in the military in order for various teams to know the location of their enemies. The military has successfully used the coevolutionary tool in managing their attacks, which has shown particularly appealing results. By using the JoHari Window, coevolutionary gaming technique affects group communication by accessing and improving group relationship. The tool gives room for groups to create awareness between different sectors and communicate on the necessary recommendations that bring proper understanding among groups (Steward, Davies & Dick, 1999).
Through the JoHari Window, various groups present their findings and receive comments from their fellows encouraging cooperation and togetherness. In addition, coevolutionary gaming technique employs various communication theories and models that organizations require in addressing various issues affecting their performance. Many gadgets are employed today that facilitate communication between people and the coevolutionary gaming technique uses these gadgets in communicating new ideas and approaches to group members. A group makes use of the JoHari window in increasing opportunities for future growth by opening new routes of decision making strategies.
With the help of coevolutionary gaming tool, the Window allows groups to communicate between open areas and unknown areas. In addition, the groups still get to discover what lies on the blind areas and hidden areas. By discovering all these aspects, the groups come up with business innovations that enable them to decide on the best move. Figure 1 shows the JoHari Window model and its parts. The JoHari Window creates an understanding between various groups in discovering new ideas and sharing of information from one quadrant to the other (Steward, Davies & Dick, 1999).
Figure 1: The JoHari Window model
Impact on group decision biases such as risky/cautious shift and groupthink
Coevolutionary gaming simulation technique makes use of complex calculations the determines the best approach a group should take for the benefit of the organization. Carrying out a business involves many risks that decision makers should try and avoid. The coevolutionary gaming technique navigates from the initial failures to success giving managers an opportunity to explore in the global market. In addition, the theory conforms with the idea of taking the third move first because the world is growing at an alarming rate and managers should focus on future marketing strategies that will have a significant impact to the economy. Moreover, coevolutionary gaming tool creates an environment brings together group members who only focuses on the future success of a business, and never look at individual gains. The tool represents the learners knowledge in a neutral network where by decision making mechanism is aided by one voice recognition (Cares and Miskel, 2007).
Proposed solution
Coevolutionary gaming technique facilitates group decision making processes, though it has many limitations. First, the technique is exceedingly complex, and only professionals are able to put it into practice. This limits the ability of small sized organizations to employ the technique due to its high cost. Managers from one nation should work together in making strategies that place their organizations in the international markets. On the other hand, coevolutionary gaming method does not provide room for mistakes that occurs while coming up with the best strategy to make. The tool should have a window that gives specific recommendations for the possible outcomes in case one takes the third step first. Since the technique only allows managers to omit two steps and concentrate on the third, it fails in analyzing situations that might occur in case the real resources, and forecasted brands fail in the future market. This call for a backup plan that employs the first and second step in line with the third step.
Conclusion
Information Technology governance models require an aspect of strategic management in regard to the economic costs of decisions involved. Strategic planning systematically evaluates a business in an effort of defining the long-term and short-term objectives, identifying goals and locating resources necessary to achieve these strategies. Most organizations make use of various simulation techniques required in facilitating their strategic plans taking into consideration the present business competition and the advancing technology. Business simulations are rapidly evolving, since they form the fundamental tools for developing perfect strategies that encourage growth and development in today’s business organizations. The advancement in information technology has led into many innovations that have replaced traditional approaches to strategic planning (Marshall & McKay, 2004).
References
Cares, J. & Miskel, J. (2007). Take Your Third Move First. Harvard Business Review, Vol.
85(3), pp. 20-21.
Harris, D. & Bullock, S. (2002). Enhancing game theory with coevolutionary simulation model
of honesty signaling. Informants Research institute. Retrieved from:
http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/261462/1/10.1.1.8.9759.pdf
Marshall, P. & McKay, J. (2004). Strategic it planning, evaluation and benefits
Management: the basis for effective it governance. Australasian Journal of Information Systems, 11(2), pp. 25-26
Steward, H., Davies, A. & Dick, B. (1999). The Johari Window and the Dark Side of
Organisations. Southern Cross University.