Deviance and Conformity

Eating soup with a fork is an example of breaking a norm because usually, we eat soup with a spoon!

 This is an example of property crime because this individual is trying to break into someone's house without being violent.

 The boy ditching class and falling asleep by the lockers is an example of deviant behavior because he is violating a norm and once the teacher or principal spots him, he will be in a lot of trouble! Wake up, buddy!

 

My two friends wore hair extensions at school because they thought they were being funny. This is an example of breaking a norm because two boys are wearing extensions, which is something female's wear!

This picture from high school depicts me being a conformist. I'm wearing the proper uniform of our school, attending class, and writing down notes of that class. I'm following the socially accepted standards set for a high school senior.

Life in Groups

In high school, my basketball team was one of my secondary groups. It's a team organized around a specific activity. Each of us aimed for the completion of one task - a championship.

 Someone's best friends can be an example of a primary group because they often spend a lot of time with one another. If it wasn't for these two, my high school years would've been disastrous!

 Facebook is a popular example of a social network that connects people from all around the world. Most of the time, we add people we hardly know on social networking websites because we might've seen them once or twice at a party or another social event.

  A neighborhood is an aggregate because it is a specific physical location shared by a group of people, but this specific group of people might not have a special relation or connection with one another.

 Drive-thru services are an example of McDonaldization. The widespread amount of drive thru fast food chains shows the bureaucratic rationalization along with deteriorating humanization.

Socialization: The Self and Social Interaction

One significant agent of socialization would be friends. Our peers offer us a different view on the world. Most of the time, their opinions and their influence can become much more powerful/significant than one's family. That's why it's always important to have a good group of friends!

School is another important form of socialization. This is a picture of the high school I graduated from. It taught me discipline, punctuality, and my Armenian values. If I did not attend an Armenian private school, I don't think I would be the same person I am today.

Family is definitely the most important agent of socialization because one's family is responsible for instilling values and morals in an individual from a young age. The way someone presents themselves is an example of how their family raised them.

Before this picture was taken, my best friend had jokingly nudged my stomach, which is why I'm standing at an odd angle. She does not follow the feeling rules - which would be to comfort me - and instead, she laughs and stands there casually. What a friend!

Unfortunately, mass media plays an influential role in society. The following magazines - Vanity Fair, US Weekly, Cosmo - have a strong impact on girls and their self-image.

Culture

Food is a prime example of culture. In the Armenian culture, Sarma is a popular dish. It has become quite popular in America as well, but the Americans know it as "wrapped/stuffed grape leaves"

 Without a doubt, technology is a vital aspect of material culture, especially in America. Nowadays, most people are connected and dependent on their iPhones. Thanks a lot, Steve Jobs!

 Speed limit signs are an example of formal norms. If a driver does not follow this speed limit, they are breaking the law and risking the chance of getting pulled over and receiving a ticket.

 Symbolic culture are the ideas associated with a cultural group. The Armenian flag has three colors - red, blue, and orange. Red symbolizes the blood of our freedom fighters, blue symbolizes country's piece, and orange symbolizes the abundant amount of wheat grown in Armenia.

 Gestures are signs we make with our bodies. This particular gesture normally means 'peace,' or as Tyga once said, 'chuckin' up the deuces,' which obviously means goodbye.

Sociological Research Methods

Surveys are an example of quantitative research because the information received can be easily converted into numbers/statistics.

 A prime example of qualitative research is this interview, which is done face-to-face. Communicating with someone to gather information, thoughts, and opinions is much more effective because you receive a deeper insight on whatever happened.

 A newspaper is an example of an existing source because they have information that's been collected by other researchers.

 

This is an example of an experiment conducted to figure out which battery life lasts the longest. It includes control groups, independent and dependent variables, and a hypothesis. 

The overview of research methods show that the amount of time an individual dedicates to her/his studies will be obvious on their next exam. If one doesn't procrastinate and starts studying a week before, they'll do fine!

Theories and Theorists

This view of the Downtown LA city lights represents organic solidarity because each business depends on one another, the workers depend on their bosses for income, and the American economy depends on them for revenue.

Tumblr has become a popular form of disenchantment because it has dominated the lives of many young adults with its appealing blogs and humorous text posts. If I'm ever asleep in a professor's class, it's because I've been up all night on Tumblr!

My favorite form of disenchantment is online shopping. I'm obsessed with buying new clothes, so this Urban Outfitters app makes it so much easier for me to check stuff out!

Preparing lunch and serving it to the family is an example of manifest function because it is done intentionally and it's obviously needed for survival. Eat up!

 

Instagram has become a popular form of disenchantment. It dominates the lives of teens and most adults with everything it offers.

What is Sociology?

Through sociological imagination and perspective, one can see that this man is homeless, poor, and truthful because he plans on spending the money given on beer. Cheers to you, sir!

This is a picture of Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. By using sociological imagination, one can infer that this is a wealthy area because of how well maintained the street is, along with the beautiful architecture and big brand names that are located there!

 Sociological perspective allows one to see that this woman in living in a somewhat decent neighborhood. It seems as if she's leading a busy life because of all those bags, so she probably only has time to buy fast- food. Way to accelerate those obesity rates!

 This project allows me to use participant observation because I am personally engaging in the social world that I'm doing my research on.

This survey is an example of quantitative research because with its answers, the study group will know how to approach visible problems. Get involved with politics, legal citizens! Your voice matters!