Blogging through Invitation to Sociology (2024)

1.SUMMARY) Demography is the study of human population dynamics, examining how populations change over time. Population research typically roots itself in social change. The development of demographic calculations began in the 18th century, with most modern population surveys commencing in the late 19th century. Demography primarily utilizes large datasets such as birth, death, and marriage registrations. Longitudinal data over extended periods are necessary for developing birth and death rate trends. Obtaining reliable demographic data remains challenging in many developing countries. Demography focuses on indicators of change such as birth rates and death rates. Fertility, reproductive health, and migration trends are key research subjects. Fertility refers to the ability of women to bear healthy offspring. Key indicators include the total fertility rate, general fertility rate, age-specific fertility rates, and the total fertility rate. Fertility rates are closely related to women...

1-SUMMARY) Technology is a collection of techniques, methods, or processes used to achieve objectives such as the production of goods or services or scientific investigation. Agricultural technology is a type of technology, and so is the technology that enables the manufacture of electric cars and computers. Mobile phones are a good example of modern technology. Due to this technology, the usefulness of public phones has decreased. Mobile phones have also changed social customs. People rely on mobile phones and depend on them for tasks that previously required other technologies such as maps, cameras, alarms, and clocks. Typically, men engage more with video games than women, and there is no evidence that this worsens health. In fact, it is related to reducing the likelihood of smoking. However, for a minority of students, the game itself becomes a problem, and long-term gaming is associated with depression and regular smoking. 2-INTERESTING) It was surprising that the use of video gam...

1 - SUMMARY) Race and ethnicity are important topics in modern society. Race refers to human groups distinguished by physiological differences, either real or imagined, based on biological characteristics, while ethnicity refers to human groups sharing common social characteristics, rather than physical ones. In the past, understanding of race was primarily essentialist and classificatory, but this has been reconsidered by modern evolutionary and genetic theories. Race and ethnicity play significant roles in shaping social stratification. Some sociologists and biologists view race as socially constructed, while others oppose this view. In the United States, racial classification has changed over time, demonstrating its socially constructed nature. Genetic research based on race explores possibilities for disease prevention and treatment, but also raises important issues regarding past scientific biases and health disparities between races. Overcoming racial discrimination and scientifi...

1- SUMMARY) Some people teach inaccurate anatomical knowledge and divide genders based on reproductive organs due to social constructs. These gender/sex systems have significant impacts on individuals and societies, entrenched as powerful belief systems. Gender refers to socially perceived or expressed positions as masculine or feminine, while biological sex is a category assigned by medical, religious, family, and governmental authorities based on genetic and biological factors. Scientists divide biological sex into male and female, but human biology is far more complex than this binary classification. Gender assignment at birth is inconsistent and excludes many genetic variations. Since the 1950s, transsexuality was considered a psychological disorder, but there's criticism now that the binary model of sex isn't scientific. Gender has physiological differences like weight and strength, with women living longer but being more vulnerable to depression and anxiety disorders. The...

1-SUMMARY) Social inequality occurs when resources are distributed unevenly within a society. This generally refers to a lack of equality in outcomes, but it can also be conceptualized as a lack of equality in access to opportunities. 2-INTERESTING) It is interesting that while both economics and sociology study inequality, economics uses classical economic theory and Keynesian economic theory, whereas sociology uses different theoretical approaches such as conflict theory and functionalism. 3-QUESTION, DISCUSSION) I recently read a book titled "Less Is More," and I would like to discuss a question that was raised in it. The book argued that the most severe form of inequality is when certain countries rapidly develop and enjoy the benefits of the Industrial Revolution, while other less developed countries share the responsibility for global warming. I think the disparity between rural and urban areas within a country is a microcosm of this issue. There is inequality in resour...

 1-SUMMARY) Social strata refer to distinct groups of people within a society. Factors such as social honor, occupation, income, and public recognition contribute to the formation of this hierarchical structure, and these strata can be used as tools to understand social structures. These strata greatly influence individuals' consciousness, lifestyles, and ideologies. Social stratification refers to a society that classifies people into groups based on socio-economic factors like wealth, income, and occupation. In modern society, it is commonly defined by three classes: upper class, middle class, and lower class. There is debate over where social stratification first emerged. Social stratification follows four principles: Social stratification is defined by society rather than by individuals. 2.Social stratification is reproduced across generations. Social stratification is universal but variable. Social stratification includes qualitative beliefs and attitudes about social status a...

 1-SUMMARY) Dramaturgy is a sociological perspective that analyzes micro-sociological explanations of social interactions through the analogy of performance and theatrical dramaturgy, dividing these interactions into various stages. This term was first used by Erving Goffman. Presenting oneself to others is referred to as dramaturgy. Goffman identified seven key elements related to performance: Belief in the Role One Plays : It is important for the performer to genuinely believe in their role. The audience can only guess whether the performer is sincere. Front (or "Mask") : Performers use various masks to control how the audience perceives them. This is a standardized and generalizable technique, as people use multiple masks throughout their lives. Dramatic Realization : Performers emphasize aspects they want the audience to know. This involves dramatically expressing certain parts to leave a good first impression. Idealization : Performers idealize the situation to avoid co...

1-SUMMARY) Symbolic interactionism is a sociological theory that explains how people form society through interactions based on symbols and meanings. This theory helps to understand how individuals act based on shared meanings and how society is preserved and created through these interactions. Developed in the mid-20th century, this perspective is important in microsociology and social psychology and originates from the pragmatic philosophy of George Herbert Mead. Collins explains this as the way society is formed through the interaction between individuals and their environment. 2-INTERESTING) It was mentioned that symbolic interactionism originates from the pragmatic philosophy of George Herbert Mead. The influence of his philosophy on modern interaction research is fascinating. How do others think Mead's philosophy is being applied today? 3-QUESTION) Symbolic interactionism is said to be particularly important in microsociology and social psychology. What specific studies have ...

1-SUMMARY) Social networks are social structures composed of relationships between individuals or organizations. Social network analysis is used to identify patterns and investigate network dynamics to find influential entities. This research is related to various fields such as sociology and statistics. Jacob Moreno developed the first sociogram in the 1930s, and this approach became widely adopted by the 1980s. Generally, social networks are self-organizing and evident. The levels of analysis in social networks are divided into micro-level, meso-level, and macro-level. Social networks have been studied in various fields. 2-INTERESTING) In this text, it was stated that social capital exists where people benefit from their position within the network, but the point that connecting structural holes, which provide non-redundant information, increases an individual's social capital was particularly interesting. 3-QUESTION) In this text, it was mentioned that a common criticism of soci...

Due to the rapid change in the economic structure, Korea prioritized unconditional economic growth over dealing with the relative poverty of the elderly.  As a result, the elderly have a hard time becoming economically independent because their role as major economic supporters has weakened, and the changed economic structure in Korea has many disadvantages for the elderly to get a job. Also, pensions exist for the elderly, but most of them do not receive pensions.  For these reasons, relative poverty occurs to the elderly rather than those in their 30s and 50s, where employment is relatively easy.

1-SUMMARY)  One example of a social structure is the concept of "social stratification," which refers to the division of society into different levels (strata) based on social distinctions such as race, class, disability, or gender. Within various social structures, an individual's social treatment can be understood in relation to their background. A social system can be viewed as a higher system encompassing various embedded systems. The study of social structure has provided insights into institutions, culture, agents, social interactions, and history. Scholars like Alexis de Tocqueville, Karl Marx, Herbert Spencer, Max Weber, Ferdinand Tönnies, and Emile Durkheim have developed concepts of social structure. Marx explained the relationship between economic base and superstructure, while Tönnies introduced the concept of social will. Durkheim distinguished between mechanical and organic solidarity to define social structures. Georg Simmel analyzed various social relation...

1.SUMMARY) Deviance refers to any behavior that violates cultural norms. Here, norms are social expectations that guide human behavior. Deviance such as crime involves breaking the law, so it's termed formal deviance. Informal deviance refers to the violation of informal norms. Psychological and biological explanations attribute the cause of deviance to differences in brain structure, which are present in childhood and adolescence. Structural functionalism argues that deviant behavior plays an important role in society. Firstly, deviance helps distinguish between acceptable and unacceptable behavior. Moreover, deviance that does not fit with the current norms is considered a means for society to change over time. In the United States, the proportion of innocent individuals wrongly convicted of crimes is estimated to range from 1% to 9%, meaning tens of thousands of prisoners could be innocent. While the U.S. has the third-largest population globally, it has the highest proportion o...

1.SUMMARY) The goal of sociology is firstly impulse control and the development of conscience; secondly, preparation for and performance of roles in institutions such as job roles, gender roles, marriage, and parenthood; thirdly, the cultivation of meaning, or the cultivation of what is important, valuable, and essential to live by. In other words, socialization is the process of preparing individuals to function in social life. Socialization is divided into two parts: primary socialization, which occurs in early childhood and adolescence, and secondary socialization, which occurs throughout life when encountering new groups that require additional socialization. Not all socialization is voluntary, nor is it always successful. The importance of socialization lies in the fact that when children raised in the wild are abandoned or run away, they may have experienced trauma prior to their abandonment. Socializing individuals who have been isolated from a very young age into relatively no...

According to the contents of the article, in order to reduce the tax burden of teenagers, the elderly often commit suicide as a sacrifice, and in this case, it felt sad that the person who would not die died.  In order to reduce this suicide rate, it would be nice to be able to choose whether to receive or not to pay the pension paid to the elderly by the country.  In addition, Korea's entrance examination system is advantageous for regular admission, and the number of students on regular admission is increasing, and competition for the college entrance exam is getting fiercer.  I think changing this system to reduce the burden of examination and competition will lower the youth suicide rate

1-SUMMARY) This chapter explores the concept and importance of socialization. Socialization is the process by which individuals learn the norms, values, behaviors, and social skills necessary to function in society. The chapter covers various aspects of socialization. Socialization integrates individuals into society, shapes their identity, and enables them to interact and communicate effectively with others. Socialization occurs throughout a person's life, from childhood to adulthood, and includes different stages. Examples include primary socialization (in childhood) and secondary socialization (in later life). The chapter examines theories from key sociologists such as George Herbert Mead, Charles Horton Cooley, and Sigmund Freud, exploring how individuals form their self-identity and learn societal norms. Resocialization is the process of unlearning old behaviors and learning new ones. It often occurs in environments such as prisons, military training, and rehabilitation center...