Blogging through Invitation to Sociology (2024)

 W 15.1 June 10, 2024 SUMMARY: This article commences with an elucidation of demography, providing a comprehensive understanding of the structure and dynamics of populations. Demography concentrates on examining demographic variables such as birth rates, mortality rates, and migration rates to ascertain their influence on society and the economy. The article further elaborates on various types of population structures and their transformations, and delves into the ramifications of these changes on social behavior and institutions. It encompasses a thorough analysis of how birth and death rates affect social policy and economic development. Additionally, the article addresses how demographic shifts manifest in social, economic, and political contexts, illustrating how demography can serve as a pivotal factor in social transformation. Consequently, an understanding of demography is crucial for analyzing and comprehending numerous facets of contemporary society. INTERESTING THINGS: I ...

 W 14.2 June 7, 2024 SUMARRY: In today's class, we viewed a video of Stephen Pinker elucidating the decline of violence through extensive historical data and statistical analysis. Pinker posits that contemporary society exhibits significantly less violence than ancient and medieval times, pointing to the marked reduction in war, crime, torture, and capital punishment. He attributes this decline to several factors: the advancement of civilization, including the development of centralized states and the enforcement of laws; the influence of human rights movements; economic prosperity; and the proliferation of education. Pinker also underscores the importance of international cooperation and the establishment of global norms in mitigating large-scale violence such as wars. He concludes that these combined factors highlight humanity's trajectory toward a more peaceful future. INTERESTING THINGS: In class, we examined the precipitous decline in Korea's birth rate, with the total...

 W 14.1 June 3, 2024 SUMARRY:  The key focus of today's lecture was 'peace', specifically examining the peace levels within countries. One of the foremost indicators used to assess a nation's peace is the Global Peace Index (GPI), annually published by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP). The GPI evaluates peace based on three principal dimensions: social safety and security, domestic and international conflict, and the degree of militarization. Social safety and security encompass internal stability factors such as crime rates, terrorist activities, and violence. Domestic and international conflicts measure the extent and duration of conflicts, both internal and external, including casualties. The level of militarization assesses military expenditures, arms trade, and military personnel. Each of these categories comprises detailed indicators that collectively determine a country's peace index. According to recent GPI reports, Iceland remains the most peacef...

 W 13.2 May 31, 2024 SUMMARY: Terrorism is a violent means of pursuing political, religious, and ideological objectives through the propagation of fear, leaving profound scars and enduring apprehension in the hearts of the populace. Terrorists employ methods such as physical violence, bombings, abductions, and assassinations to compel political change or achieve specific political ends. The primary aim of terrorism is to instill widespread fear and anxiety, extending far beyond the immediate harm inflicted. Political terrorism seeks to overthrow governments or political systems, inducing political instability and confusion among the populace. Religious terrorism, aimed at achieving religious objectives, often exacerbates conflicts and mistrust between different faiths, leading to social fragmentation. Ethnic terrorism, pursued by groups advocating for national self-determination or independence, heightens anxiety amidst interethnic conflicts and clashes. Ideological terrorism, aime...

 W 13.1 May 27, 2024 SUMAARY:  Today's class focused on the male-female gap, highlighting several differences in what men and women generally seek. These differences are influenced by biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors, though it's important to note that individual variations are even greater. Broadly speaking, women tend to prefer more stable and secure environments, which can be explained through evolutionary psychology. Stability and safety are crucial for survival and reproduction. Conversely, men often gravitate towards adventure and challenges, potentially linked to the influence of testosterone, a male hormone. Women typically place a higher value on relationship-building and communication, driven by the desire to create and maintain social networks through intimacy. Men, on the other hand, often prioritize achievement and goal attainment, which are significant factors in terms of survival and reproduction. Psychologically, women are generally more ade...

 W 12.2 May 24, 2024 SUMMARY:  Social inequality stems from the unequal distribution of resources within a society, leading to distinct disparities across various dimensions such as power, religion, kinship, prestige, race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, and class. This imbalance affects access to social goods and opportunities, often resulting in uneven outcomes. Interlinked with economic inequality, which refers to the unequal distribution of income or wealth, social inequality also includes disparities in access to non-economic resources like education, legal systems, housing, transportation, credit, and financial services. Both the fields of economics and sociology explore these inequalities, each from its unique vantage point. The norms governing allocation play a pivotal role in shaping the distribution of rights, privileges, and social power.  INTERSETING THINGS: Despite efforts to mitigate inequality, substantial disparities persist both within and be...

  W 12.1 May 20, 2024 SUMMARY:  Erving Goffman developed the concept of dramaturgy, which applies theatrical principles to the analysis of social interactions, viewing individuals as actors performing in everyday life. Goffman's framework differentiates between the front stage (public behavior) and the back stage (private behavior), emphasizing how people manage impressions to align with societal norms. Performers use various methods, such as believing in their roles, idealization, and controlling expressions, to influence how the audience perceives them. This perspective highlights the fluid nature of identity, shaped by continuous interactions and the need for social consensus. Dramaturgy extends its relevance beyond sociology to fields like social media and technoself studies, where curated online personas reflect the performative nature of identity. In theatre, dramaturgy covers all aspects of a performance, from the actors' portrayals to the handling of audience reactions...

 W 11.2 May 17, 2024 SUMMARY:  Symbolic interactionism stands as a sociological theory of paramount significance, probing deeply into the intricate dynamics of human interaction. At its core lies the exploration of how individuals employ shared language to forge a tapestry of common symbols and meanings, essential for effective communication. This theory offers a unique lens through which to view society, portraying it as the culmination of myriad everyday interactions among individuals. Within this paradigm, collective understandings and shared meanings emerge as the driving forces shaping human behavior and social structures. Emerging prominently in the mid-20th century, symbolic interactionism has left an indelible mark on fields ranging from microsociology to social psychology. Its roots can be traced back to the rich soil of American pragmatism, where luminaries like George Herbert Mead laid the foundational stones upon which this theory now stands. Central to its tenets ...

 W 11.1 May 13, 2024 SUMMARY: Social networks and their analysis are multidisciplinary areas that have evolved from social psychology, sociology, statistics, and graph theory. Social network theory investigates social structures through the connections between individuals or organizations. This theory finds applications in numerous social science fields and emphasizes the properties of these connections. Nevertheless, it is often criticized for potentially overlooking individual actors. Social networks are complex and self-organizing, and can be studied at micro, meso, and macro levels, each revealing unique patterns of interaction and structure. Social network analysis utilizes various approaches, including graph theory, equilibrium theory, social comparison theory, and social identity theory. Key theoretical frameworks include structural role theory and heterogeneous theory. The latter, notably, incorporates Granovetter's concept of "the strength of weak ties," which un...

 W 10.2 May 10, 2024 SUMMARY: The arrangement of individuals and groups within society, known as social structure, intricately shapes their relationships, responsibilities, and contributions. Building upon foundational ideas from scholars such as Marx and Durkheim, contemporary theories emphasize the fluid interactions between societal frameworks and individual actions, rejecting fixed notions in favor of a more nuanced comprehension of how societies function. Embeddedness theory highlights how personal choices are influenced by wider social contexts, while concepts like microstructures and macrostructures delineate different levels of social connections. Whether examining normative guidelines or patterns of social interaction, social structure encompasses established norms, enduring behaviors, and relational dynamics. These insights play a crucial role in unveiling underlying biases and complexities within social systems, urging detailed examinations to grasp the diverse facets of...

 W 9.2 MAY 3, 2024 SUMMARY: Deviation, a term denoting behaviors that defy societal norms, can be categorized into formal and informal types. Robert K. Merton's deviance theory posits that individuals may pursue socially endorsed goals through various means, some of which may be deemed unacceptable or unethical. This theory suggests that social contradictions, where individuals face barriers to achieving socially accepted objectives, can lead to deviant behavior. Widely applied in sociology and criminology, this theory informs policy-making and strategy development to address social issues. Various social theories offer differing perspectives on deviance: Functionalism sees it as essential for defining acceptable behavior, while Conflict theory views it as a form of resistance against the ruling class by the subordinate class. INTERESTING THINGS: Deviation doesn't merely arise from singular factors but from a complex interplay of various reasons. I believe a certain degree of d...

 W 9.1 April 29, 2024 SUMMARY:  This website provides information on what politics is, the various types of government, and the voting behaviors of citizens. Politics can be understood as how individuals representing a nation govern it. However, the original definition of politics refers to the process through which individuals make decisions related to social and economic matters.  Different forms of government exist, such as monarchy where supreme authority is held by a single head of state until death, akin to North Korea; democracy where all citizens hold sovereignty, prevalent in many nations; and systems where the government regulates almost all aspects of public and private life. Totalitarian regimes also attempt to exert control in various ways. INTERESTING THINGS:  An intriguing aspect to consider is the significance of socialization. The essence of this concept is eloquently illustrated in examples such as feral children, showcasing how the process of socia...

 W 8.2 April 26, 2024 SUMMARY: South Korea stands as a shining beacon of democracy, a testament to the enduring resilience of its people and the triumph of democratic ideals. Yet, just a stone's throw away lies North Korea, a stark juxtaposition characterized by its infamous dictatorship under the rule of Kim Jong-un. Once united by ethnicity, these two nations now epitomize the stark contrast between freedom and oppression, democracy and autocracy. For decades, North Korea has been entrenched in the grip of communism, its people subjected to the absolute authority of a single ruler. Under the iron-fisted regime of Kim Jong-un, the fundamental rights and freedoms of the North Korean populace have been relentlessly suppressed, their voices stifled by the suffocating embrace of totalitarianism. In such autocratic regimes, the power wielded by the dictator knows no bounds, unchecked and unchallenged. However, while South Korea thrives under the banner of democracy, I am of the belief ...

W 8.1 April 22, 2024 SUMMARY: Within the realm of governance, a diverse array of governmental systems exists, among which democracy, monarchy, and communism stand as prominent examples. South Korea, notably, adheres to the principles of democracy. Each of these governance paradigms carries its own set of virtues and shortcomings. In the democratic framework, decisions are predominantly determined by the will of the majority, potentially resulting in the marginalization of minority viewpoints. Conversely, communism, while championing ideals of equality, often grapples with the specter of authoritarian rule, where a single individual wields unchecked power. Despite its professed emphasis on egalitarianism, the practical manifestation of communism may paradoxically foster a society marked by significant disparities. Indeed, navigating the nuances of governance underscores the perpetual quest for balance between participatory decision-making and effective leadership, as nations strive to c...

 W 7.2 April 19, 2024 SUMMARY:  South Korea has swiftly risen as one of the rapidly developing nations, experiencing a surge in economic growth that led to substantial wealth accumulation. However, the country is currently grappling with a pressing issue: aging. This demographic shift could potentially cast a shadow over South Korea's economic trajectory. The aging trend may translate into a dwindling workforce, thereby posing challenges to sustained economic growth. Yet, amidst these concerns, there lies a silver lining. Economic expansion is intricately linked with technological innovation. Even within an aging society, technology holds the promise of enhancing the lives of the elderly while simultaneously birthing fresh economic opportunities. For instance, advancements in medical technology hold the potential to ameliorate elderly health conditions and curtail healthcare expenditures. INTERESTING THINGS:  It's fascinating how in economic sociology, consumer behavior a...

 W 6.1 April 8, 2024 SUMMARY:  Capitalism and socialism have several differences, but the most significant distinction lies in capitalism's focus on capital and resulting profits. It prioritizes maximizing individual gains for economic growth and development, operating according to the principles of a market economy. Socialism, on the other hand, prioritizes the interests and equality of the social community over profit-seeking. It tends to prioritize the common good over profit, emphasizing the collective welfare over individual gain. An additional pivotal contrast lies in capitalism's accentuation on individual ownership of labor and capital, coupled with a fervent endorsement of free trade in the marketplace. It champions individual interests and thrives on economic competition to propel growth and advancement. Conversely, socialism champions egalitarian access to resources and equitable distribution among all individuals, striving to safeguard the rights and interests of w...

 W 5.2 APRIL 5, 2024 SUMMARY:  In this video, the interrelationship between religion and sociology is explained. Here, Émile Durkheim argues that as society becomes more complex, the religious system becomes more complex as well. Some people anticipated that as countries modernized, religion would decline. There were expectations that occurrences of science-denial within religion would lead people to quickly abandon their faith. However, this prediction has proven to be wrong so far. We can still observe an increase in church attendance or participation in other religious activities, particularly in advanced countries including the United States. Hence, secularization may not necessarily result in the decline of religion. INTERESTING THING:  Most successful individuals harbor their unique religious beliefs, exerting considerable influence within society. They attribute their achievements not only to personal endeavors but also offer reverence and gratitude to their r...

W 5.1 April 1, 2024 SUMMARY:  People have different religions. They could be Christians, Buddhists, Muslims, or even atheists. The diversity of religions encourages people to come together and integrate. Many people find solace in religion as they shape their values. However, why is it that in religion, God is predominantly portrayed as male? It's because men symbolized power and authority during those times. We have a moral obligation to respect diverse cultures. With no grounds to impede what individuals believe in, it's imperative that we honor each other's religions. INTERESTING THINGS:  I've come to understand that in each nation, there lies a diversity in the religions people adhere to, often reflective of the cultural tapestry. For instance, Hinduism dominates in India, while Protestantism holds sway in Korea.  DISCUSSION AND QUESTION:  In the world, there are many pseudo-religions that deceive people, causing them harm, and sometimes even costing li...

W 4.2 March 30, 2024 SUMMARY:  Free culture is a movement that promotes the free sharing and access of information and knowledge, and challenges limited copyright and intellectual property rights in the cultural industry. It encourages the free sharing, modification, and redistribution of works, and supports the free use of information in the digital age. The free culture movement is actively developing mainly online and can take many forms. Here, information and knowledge should be able to be freely copied, modified, and redistributed. This promotes the production and sharing of new creations. In addition, innovation and improvement of the existing copyright system are needed, and copyright should consider the interests of creators and the public in a balanced manner. INTERESTING THINGS:  One of the interesting things about Free Culture is that it challenges traditional concepts of copyright and intellectual property rights, and encourages free sharing and access of informati...

W 4.1 March 30, 2024 SUMMARY:  Korean society indeed places a significant emphasis on salary when making job decisions. Even if the job is not something they particularly want to do, many people are okay with it as long as the salary is high. This can also be considered a part of Korean culture. So, what are some influences of technological advancement on our culture? I believe the development of mobile phones has had a profound impact on our culture. With the advancement of mobile phones, various social media platforms emerged, and through these platforms, media advancement rapidly grew. The increasing value of platforms like Netflix, Disney Plus, and Coupang Play has led people to take a keen interest in movies and dramas, marking one of the significant changes. Therefore, technological advancements have brought significant changes to Korean culture and society, particularly providing new opportunities and challenges in the entertainment and media industries. INTERESTING THI...