SOC100H5 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Unintended Consequences, Symbolic Interactionism, Metatheory
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SOC100H5 Full Course Notes
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Document Summary
Statements about how or why particular facts about the social world are related. Logical, makes sense of the facts, fits the evidence, sensitizes, widely applicable. Metatheory: not testable, a way of looking at and interpreting reality: humans are, by nature, self-interested. Human behavior is governed by stable patterns of social relations. Shows how structures maintain or undermine social stability. Social structures are based mainly on shared values. Re-establishing equilibrium is the best way to solve social problems. Function: consequence of a social pattern for the operation of society. Manifest function: intended consequence of a social pattern: public health: to reduce disease. Latent function: unintended consequence of a social pattern: public health: create jobs, new possibilities for learning. Dysfunction: social pattern that disrupts the operation of society o. Latent: social relationships, teamwork, jobs, competition, pride, solidarity. Focuses on large, macro-level structures like class relations. Major patterns of inequality in society produce social stability and also social change.
