SOC101 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1: Herbert Blumer, Safety Valve, Class Conflict
Document Summary
Without sociological context, issues seem personalized; ie employment, divorce. These are societal issues reflected on the individual. Personal troubles are a reflection of public issues because: social structure and the individual are linked. Why or how something happens in society: macro: society as a whole, micro: individual or groups. Change is disruptive, only positive if it occurs gradually. Safety valve for aggressive behaviour because acceptable in that context. Suicide rate can"t be explained on individual, it"s a societal issue. Take personal trouble and look at it as a public issue. Manifest function: obvious, recognizable, provides skill _ knowledge essential for decent career, productive citizens. Latent function: unintended, not obvious, social network for easier job networking, easier to meet partner. Latent dysfunction: expensive 3084$, negative consequences, but if no dysfunction, no appreciation of values. All major socio-historic change driven by class conflict. Conflict between the class of capitalists (bourgeoisie) and class of workers (proletariat) would produce classless (egalitarian) society.
