Post 3: In-groups/Out-groups, Macrosociology/Microsociology, Social Construction of Reality, and Generalization, Categories, and Stereotypes.

During the second half of unit one we learned about in-groups and out-groups. An in-group is most commonly defined as a group an individual feels loyalty toward, and can identify with. An out-group is any group that an individual feels opposed to, conflict with, or hostility toward. In the movie, A Bronx Tale, there are many in-groups and out-groups. For example, throughout the movie Calogero's friends get upset when the black kids pass through their neighborhood. In this instance, Calogero's friends consist of the in-group, and the black kids are the out-group.

We also explored macrosociology and microsociology this unit. Macrosociology is the level of analysis that studies large-scale social structures in order to determine how they affect the lives of groups and individuals. Microsociology is the level of analysis that studies face-to-face and small-group interactions in order to understand how those interactions affect the larger patterns and institutions of society. Examples of macrosociology and microsociology are present in the movie, A Bronx Tale. In the beginning of the movie, when Calogero was a boy, we see him and his friends sitting on the stoop outside. When a bus full of black kids drive through the neighborhood Calogero's friend becomes upset. Calogero tries to reason with his friend by saying “they don’t live here, they’re just passing through,” but Calogero's friend says, “well, my father said that’s how it starts.” Racism is rampant throughout this movie as a result of the time period it is set in, which is considered to be a macrosociological value. But, despite growing up in the same neighborhood, Calogero and his friend feel differently about the subject. Whereas Calogero is more passive about the issue, his friend is more aggressive. This is a result of microsociologic influences. While the major macrosociologic issue of racism influenced both of them, Calogero and his friend were affected differently, or microsociologically, by how their respective parents raised them to view the matter.

Everyone perceives and experiences the world differently; therefore everyone's reality is different. Yet all of our lives are socially constructed by the impact society has on how we experience the world. While one may feel they are in complete control of their life, this is not the case. It is actually quite the opposite; our reality, which consists of our experiences, is created, or constructed, by the people of whom we surround ourselves with. This concept is called the social construction of reality. Although we may not notice it, most of our everyday lives are socially constructed. For example, in America, we drive on the right side of the road, but in countries like Japan and England, they drive on the left.

We also learned about generalizations, categories, and stereotypes in Joel Charon’s Should We Generalize. According to Charon, it is impossible for people to refrain from generalizing or categorizing, for whether or not we realize, most of our functions on such organization tactics. In fact, “the whole purpose of social science is to achieve accurate categorizations and generalizations about human begins. Indeed the purpose of almost all academic pursuits involves learning, understanding, and developing accurate categories and generalizations.”

Organizing people and ideas can even be helpful. For example, we know that people who are sick are also contagious, and unless we want to get sick ourselves we should stay away from him or her until they get better. By doing so, we are “generalizing about ‘those with colds,’ ‘how people catch colds,’ and ‘how we should act around those with colds.’”

We can also apply knowledge learned through previous situations in which we generalized and compare it to new situations that we don’t understand, for the purpose of determining how to act in such new or unfamiliar circumstance. Doing so allows for us the to “intelligently act” in numerous situations that we otherwise might not have had the opportunity to experience.

In order for generalizations and categories to be beneficial, they must be correct. Inaccurate generalizations or categories become stereotypes. Stereotyping can inhibit understanding rather than promote it, which is the reason for social organization. To avoid stereotyping, we must be “open minded and reflective” so that we can determine the quality of our generalizations and categorizations, and change what we know in accordance to a given circumstance.

Often I am wrongfully stereotyped as someone who doesn’t care, or put much effort into my schoolwork because I am frequently absent. When in actuality I miss a lot of school for medical reasons, and because of that I work even harder to attain an education. 

Sociological Imagination and Sociological Mindfulness.

According to C. Wright Mills, the place and time period in which we live, our history, determines who we are, or our biography. He called this concept sociological imagination, or the relationship between one's personal history and biography. Malcolm Gladwell's Outliers exemplifies this notion in that the inhabitants of the isolated town of Roseto, comprised entirely of Italian emigrants, were the only people to evade the crippling heart disease epidemic that was rampant in the United States during the 1950's. Upon word of this, a physician named Stewart Wolf became intrigued, and set out to find out why. Through much observation and experimentation he disproved many initial theories, including: dietary and exercise related habits, genetic predisposition, and geographic location. Wolf eventually realized that the Rosetans were healthy because of their rich history. The town had strong social connections and interactions, and held steadfastly to their values of family and equality, all of which influenced who they were.

Due to my sociological imagination, I know that I am made up of a personal biography and history. I also know that others are affected by where and when they live as well. For this reason, I can see and appreciate that the unique qualities and characteristics of other people. As stated by Michael Schwalbe in his book, The Sociologically Exampled Life, this is the first part of being sociologically mindful, or “tuning-in to how the social world works.” He believes this is important because he feels that a harmonious and democratic society is necessary for one to have a “good life,” and that everyone should have an equal right to one. He also thinks that as humans, we must consider how our actions can affect other people and their chances at a good life, because all of our lives are interconnected.

Schwalbe also states “being sociologically mindful also means paying attention to the hardships and options other people face. If we understand how others’ circumstances differ from ours, we are more likely to show compassion for them and…less likely to condemn them unfairly for doing things we dislike.” This part really struck a chord with me as I have faced much undue discrimination for being diagnosed with what are called invisible illnesses. This means it would be impossible to know I am sick just by looking at me, because I do not have any visible impairment. Despite my seemingly normal appearance, and lack of physical impairments, my illnesses cause physical pain. Due to such symptoms, I need certain accommodations in school that others often perceive as special treatment because it is not blatantly obvious that I need them. For this reason, I am often judged prematurely and erroneously. Through my experiences I have come to terms with the fact that it is impossible for one to truly understand the effects of an invisible illness without actually having one; but with the promotion awareness, and the willingness of others to become aware, people will realize the potentially negative repercussions of their actions on the chances for people like me to have a “good life.” Perhaps if everyone listened to Schwalbe and became more sociologically mindful, unjust discrimination would be less prominent today.