SOC201 Case Study: Module 2 – Socialization

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Recommended: Symbolic interactionism

Symbolic Interactionism If humans were to follow in the patterns of behavior and decision making of other creatures roaming the earth, or choices would be different than what they are today, at least according to the theories of symbolic interactionism. This theoretical approach suggests that the decisions that humans make are often skewed by the individual perception of the possible response of other individuals to those decisions. Using the purchase of a new car, for example, most people’s needs dictate an affordable vehicle that will get the highest fuel efficiency available. However, vehicles such as the Ford Raptor (starting MSRP of $ 44,415 and average of 13 miles per gallon fuel economy), are still highly esteemed among consumers. While this doesn’t make sense from a standpoint of practicality, it may when looking at the decision through the lens of symbolic interactionism. According to a survey conducted by Insure.com, 32% of women responded that attractive men drive pickup trucks (2013). Considering that the Ford Raptor has less towing capacity than the standard F-150 equipped with the same engine (8000 lbs vice 9600 lbs in the case of a standard 4x4 F-150), the Raptor is no more capable of towing than a standard vehicle, but costs over $10,000 more than the standard option. Obviously, there are other factors at play here. The argument behind symbolic interactionism is that cognition can, and usually does, interfere with human decision making based on practicality alone. And the results of the previously mentioned survey validate the understanding of the “generalized other” played out in the minds of those men deciding on purchasing a big, black Ford Raptor. Role Theory Role theory posits that all people make deci... ... middle of paper ... ...hese theories presents a point of view based on differing classification of sociological concepts, they all focus on the role of the decisions of the individual resulting in how society functions and evolves. Works Cited Ford Motor Company, F-150 SVT Raptor, 2014. Retrieved from: http://www.ford.com/trucks/f150/trim/raptor/ Ford Motor Company, F-150 Engine Specifications, 2014. Retrieved from: http://www.ford.com/trucks/f150/specifications/engine/ Steele, Jeffrey, Cars that attract the ladies (and guys), Insure.com, 2014. Retrieved from: http://www.insure.com/car-insurance/cars-that-attract-ladies.html Ford Motor Company, F-150 Towing Specifications, 2014. Retrieved from: http://www.ford.com/trucks/f150/specifications/towing/ Sigmund Freud, Civilization and its Discontents, 1931. Retrieved from: http://www.freud.org.uk/education/topic/10573/subtopic/40005/

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