Basic Concepts in Sociology Part

Introduction
Culture
Social Change
Social Control
Sociological Methods

Introduction

In Basic Concepts in Sociology Part - 1 we learned about Key Sociological Concepts, Social Group, Status and Role and Social Institution. In this article, we explain various aspects of culture, including customs and folk norms. The unit is completed with explanations of social change and social control. This is an important unit for understanding some of the basic concepts of sociology.

Culture

Besides society, role, status and institution, culture is another important topic that attracts the attention of sociologists. Usually even those unfamiliar with sociology know the word "culture". In our daily life, we can describe some people as very 'civilized'. We give such a label when the people involved are refined and refined in their behavior and manners. But sociologists do not use the term "culture" in this sense. They have a particular understanding of it. Sociologically, culture can be defined as the set of human activities that are learned. It is transmitted from generation to generation by belonging to a particular society.

Since various learning processes in human societies involve systems of tools, communications, and symbols, the concept of culture can also be said to refer to a system of tools, communications, and symbols. To learn new activities, people need tools, language and symbols. The cultures of human societies differ from each other and also change over time. One of the benefits of studying sociology is that in addition to introducing you to different cultures, it also helps to develop an understanding of cultures other than your own.

Culture and Human Behaviour

A little reflection will show that people of different cultures in similar situations show differences in how they handle these situations. For example, when greeting friends and relatives, at home or on the street, men in our society may shake hands with other men, but generally not with women. Similarly, a vegetarian refuses non-vegetarian food despite great hunger. This is because culture influences our behavior in certain situations. In sociological terms, culture is normative, that is, it provides norms for correct behavior, and therefore also tells us what is right or wrong. Concretely, these norms are handed down to us by what are called cultural norms. So while many students smoke today, they usually don't do it in front of their parents or teachers. In our culture, such an act is considered wrong, i.e. contrary to our cultural norms. The content of the immaterial culture of any society consists of a large number of norms. These rules are taught and applied by popular customs and traditions.

Folkways

There are patterns of behavior that govern most of our daily lives and our interactions with other people. So getting up from chairs, when teachers enter classrooms, letting women buy tickets without having to stand in line, handing out candy after getting a job or promotion, and so on are examples of folklore. Some folk ways are simply acts of courtesy. To ensure that folk customs are not taken lightly, mechanisms such as praise, approval, and acceptance exist to get people to comply with them. Conversely, a critical word, a frown, a sarcastic remark, or a laugh are ways to express disapproval of bad behavior. Since most people don't want them to look funny or be seen as rude and crass by their group, they conform to what the group expects and wants. Therefore, most people conform to the folkway5 without realizing that they are conforming or that there are alternative ways to behave.

These are standards that the group considers more important and even vital for its well-being. Violation of morals evokes an emotional response, and instead of just raising eyebrows or scoffing, strong group action ensues. Therefore, the prohibition of the consumption of beef and alcoholic beverages are part of the customs of Hindu and Muslim societies, respectively. Violation of this will not be tolerated. Customs are linked to cultural values. It should now be clear that mores are norms of a higher order than popular customs. They have an element of coercion and are tied to the dominant values of the culture. Customs clearly and unequivocally reflect the concepts of what is moral and what is immoral. This is evidenced by the fact that mores are usually expressed in terms of "must" (eg, all married men and women must be faithful to their spouse and maintain sexual fidelity) or negatively in terms of "must not". ' Behaviour, for example, women should not expose their bodies.

Values

Values, the ultimate essence and spirit of cultures, are the underlying principles and ideas by which societies and individuals choose their goals. Values are also the criteria by which social and individual goals and resources are judged and evaluated. Aside from goals, all behaviors and behaviors, whether in achieving these goals or not, are judged and evaluated within the framework of accepted values. Any action contrary to the values cherished by the group or society will be condemned and punished. For example, in Indian society, there is a value regarding the behavior of the youth towards the elders. Any deviation from accepted behavior is repeatedly criticized. Unlike standards, which are quite specific, values tend to be generalized and somewhat abstract ideals; nevertheless, they attract the full commitment of society.

Sub Cultures

Another important point to keep in mind is that in the case of complex and heterogeneous societies, such as India, which are characterized by many religious, linguistic and other diversities, it is common to have a number of subcultures within the framework of the broader general framework of cultures. In India, religious communities like Muslim, Christian or Sikh or language groups like Tamil, Maharashtrian or Punjabi and so on have their own subcultural characteristics which distinguish them from other communities or groups. But at the same time, we also share some fundamental values such as secularism, democracy and the equality of all citizens, regardless of our diversity, and these integrate us. But heterogeneous societies must continually emphasize and cultivate their more universal and cultural values so that they are not abandoned in favor of subcultural values.

Social Change

In tracing the origins of sociology, as well as highlighting the concerns of early sociologists, it was emphasized that the changes brought about by the Industrial Revolution played an important role in the birth of modern sociology. For this reason, sociology and sociologists have never lost sight of the study of social change, and this interest has been a major concern of the discipline throughout its nearly two hundred year history. Although sociologists have long studied the process of social change, it is difficult to define it concisely and precisely. Social change refers to the process by which changes occur in society or in social relations.

Social change is a continuous process. Social change can be caused by many factors. A larger population can bring about changes. Innovations, i.e. new ideas or an object can create new relationships. It is also possible for a company to borrow ideas or objects from other companies, which can cause variations in social relationships. Next, you will study different theories of social change (evolution, cyclicality, conflict, modernization and development).

Agents of Change

An important question is the identity of change agents. As already mentioned, subunits or institutions are instruments by which social changes can be caused. Some institutions are greater than other economic, political and educational establishments are more central to making changes. Religion can act both as an agent of change and as a resistance to changes. Although the company is continuously changing, it should be noted that there is generally resistance to changes. New ideas and new behaviors are not simply accepted. Material innovations also need time to be accepted and diffused in any society (trains were considered the work of the devil in England). Resistance is greatest when traditional values and beliefs are at issue.

Rate of Change

Another issue is the speed of change. In industrialized societies and using advanced technologies (which in themselves have brought about change), the pace of change is more rapid than in pre-industrial societies. Another important fact to keep in mind is that many changes today are caused by planning. This is called guided change, which is being implemented in many developing countries.

Social Control

Social control is a process of regulating behavior within society. In a sense, social control is meant to discourage people from deviating from established values and norms. Through social control people meet what is expected of them. Social control is an aspect of all social institutions and therefore pervasive in social life in general. People's behavior is controlled by both positive and negative sanctions. The purpose of both types of sanctions is to induce people to conform to standards. Positive sanctions can include praise, gifts, and promotions, while negative sanctions can be punishments, demotion, teasing, or a boycott. Social control is not necessarily always successful.

Sociological Methods

Sociologists have used many methods to study society. Although sociologists may use different methods, the scientific approach is fundamental to all. The historical method consists of studying the origins, development and transformation of social institutions. In this method, a sociologist uses information relating to one or more societies over a long period of time. The main approach is to try to obtain information from past experiences related to social behavior. The comparative method collects data from different countries, regions or religions. An attempt is made to find out if there are any similarities that can explain the behavior patterns.

The empirical method refers to the collection of data from practice. The facts of social life are examined and described as they exist. The techniques used in this method are observation, investigation, experimentation and case study.

These methods are not necessarily exclusive. There may be a combination of them. The purpose of all these methods, in a sense, is to try to answer the questions: "Why do people behave the way they do?" Sociological theories and concepts have emerged as a result of these studies.

Basic Concepts in Sociology Part - 2

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