SOCI 1251 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Paradigm Shift, Anomie, Symbolic Interactionism
Document Summary
Paradigms are major/dominant theories within a particular scientific field. As scientists notice patterns and trends that no longer fit the major/dominant theories, new ones emerge that try to explain those previously unexplained sets of facts or evidence. Institutions, like organs in a body, provide certain social functions contributing to (cid:862)so(cid:272)ial order(cid:863). Social problems occur as a result of social pathologies or deviant behavior caused by dysfunctional aspects of institutions, social disorder, or a lack of cultural norms that can properly regulate behavior. Institutional regulation or social control in the collective interest prevents so(cid:272)ial pro(cid:271)le(cid:373)s (cid:271)(cid:455) preve(cid:374)ti(cid:374)g a(cid:374)o(cid:373)ie a la(cid:272)k of shared (cid:272)ultural (cid:374)or(cid:373)s. Too much regulation or social control creates fatalism which can lead to other types of social problems where people lack freedom and agency. Unequal social arrangements create social groups that differ in their goals and access to resources and power.
