Theory, Knowledge and Science Commons^™

Social Functioning: A Sociological Common Base For Social Work Practice, Thomas J. Blakely, Gregory M. Dziadosz

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This article describes the experience of a social work mental health agency with Social Role Theory (SRT), that is an organizing concept for the delivery of its assessment and treatment program. SRT has been called the process variable of the program, meaning how services are delivered. Social functioning, a concept taken from SRT, is a treatment outcome. The overall purposes of the article are to describe the contribution of sociology to social work practice, and to advance the argument that social functioning is a common base for social work practice generally.

The Functions Of The Social Bond, James J. Chriss

Sociology & Criminology Faculty Publications

Travis Hirschi's control or social bonding theory argues that those persons who have strong and abiding attachments to conventional society (in the form of attachments, involvement, investment, and belief) are less likely to deviate than persons who have weak or shallow bonds. Later, Gottfredson and Hirschi moved away from the social bond as the primary factor in deviance, and toward an emphasis on self-control. In short, low self-control is associated with higher levels of deviance and criminality irrespective of the strength or weakness of one's social bonds. In this article I argue that Talcott Parsons' AGIL schema easily incorporates Hirschi's …

The Gift And Challenge Of "Free Will": The Connection To Transformational Archetypal Energies, Carroy U. Ferguson

Carroy U "Cuf" Ferguson, Ph.D.

In a previous writing, I spoke of “The Voices of Transformational Archetypal Energies,” and how they serve as the primary “Psychic Energy” behind AHP’s mission and “kindred spirits on the edge.” Again, I use easily recognized terms to evoke a common sense of these Higher Vibrational Energies, each with their own transcendent value, purpose, quality and “voice” unique to the individual that operate deep within our psyches (i.e., Love; Acceptance; Inclusion; Harmony). I want to use this opportunity to briefly call attention to the use and misuse of a wonderful human gift and its connection to these Transformational Archetypal Energies. …

Gender In Politics, Sheri L. Kunovich, Pamela Paxton, Melanie M. Hughes

Sociology Research

Women’s political participation and representation vary dramatically within and between countries. We selectively review the literature on gender in politics, focusing on women’s formal political participation.

We discuss both traditional explanations for women’s political participation and representation, such as the supply of women and the demand for women, and newer explanations such as the role of international actors and gender quotas. We also ask whether women are distinctive—does having more women in office make a difference to public policy? Throughout the review we demonstrate that a full understanding of women’s political representation requires both deep knowledge of individual cases such …

Systems Of Distribution And A Sense Of Equity: A Multilevel Analysis Of Meritocratic Attitudes In Post-Industrial Societies, Sheri L. Kunovich, Kazimierz M. Slomczynski

Sociology Research

Meritocratic attitudes are defined as general beliefs that education and its correlates should determine personal economic outcomes. Using the International Social Survey Project (ISSP): Social Inequality Module (1992), we examine both individual-level and country-level determinants of pro-meritocratic attitudes. According to self-interest and rational-action theories, individuals with high educational attainment and high personal income are expected to have strong meritocratic beliefs because meritocracy is in their best interest—they would gain under such a system. At the same time, both modernization and post-industrial theories imply that persons living in countries with a high degree of societal meritocracy hold stronger meritocratic beliefs than …

Social Theory & Its Relation To Social Problems: An Essay About Theory And Research With Social Justice In Mind, Richard K. Caputo

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

This essay examines the relationship between social theory and social problems, the truth-value of theories, and the importance of theorizing about the role of the state, i.e., national government, in the resolution of social problems and the achievement of social justice. The author argues that much contemporary social theory has lost its moorings in regard to amelioration ofsocial problems, that Popper's criterion offalsification is a requisitefor more meaningfully applied social theory, and that the state should be part of any social theory meant to address social problems. Moral and political philosophy is used to provide criteria to justify a positive …

El Determinismo En Historia De Una Escalera De Antonio Buero-Vallejo, Victor M. Durán

The Coastal Review: An Online Peer-reviewed Journal

This paper attempts to identify the deterministic traits that are found in Historia de una escalera that Buero-Vallejo masterfully utilizes to suggest that the play is indeed anti-deterministic. The paper identifies and describes salient characteristics of Emile Zola’s (1840-1902) scientific determinism and demonstrates how these characteristics underpin the drama to emphasize the playwright’s theme postulated in Historia de una escalera, that is, life in general is not governed by scientific determinism.

The Voices Of Transformational Archetypal Energies: The Psychic Energy Behind Ahp's Mission, Carroy U. Ferguson Dr.

Carroy U "Cuf" Ferguson, Ph.D.

I want to use this opportunity to expand on my previous message, which I called “Path of the Bridger,” a path nurtured by what I have called Archetypal Energies. Again, these are Higher Vibrational Energies with their own transcendent value, purpose, quality, and “voice” unique to the individual that operate deep within our psyches, at both individual and collective levels. And, we tend to experience them as “creative urges” to move us toward our highest good or optimal realities. My purpose in offering this perspective is simply to suggest to AHP members, and other kindred spirits, that there has been …

Public Displays Of Emotion Today: Changing Forms Of Memorializing Death And Disaster, E. Doyle Mccarthy

Sociology Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

El Staff Presidencial En México. Del Secretario Particular A Las Oficinas De La Presidencia, J. R. Joel Flores-Mariscal

J. R. Joel Flores-Mariscal

No abstract provided.

Coming Together: New Taxonomies For The Analysis Of Social Relations, Karen Cerulo, Janet M. Ruane

Department of Sociology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

In previous work, we have noted a certain rigidity in sociology's approach to the topic of social relations (Cerulo 1997; Cerulo and Ruane 1997; Cerulo, Ruane, and Chayko 1992). With few exceptions, literature on the subject dichotomizes social relations with reference to the scope of the interaction (small group versus large group) and the mode by which social actors connect (direct connections versus mediated connections). Further, many researchers implicitly rank the social value of each relational form. Sociologists typically identify a society's primary and most valuable relations as the result of direct, physically copresent exchange, exchange involving relatively few interactants. …

An International Mission, Matthew Wilburn King

Matthew Wilburn King PhD

University of Tulsa Magazine Publication Issue - Research: Bright Ideas

La Política Azul Y Oro: Historias Orales, Relaciones De Poder Y Disputa Universitaria, Imanol Ordorika, Rafael López González

Imanol Ordorika

No abstract provided.

Breaking Their Silence: Mizrahi Women And The Israeli Feminist Movement, Henriette Dahan Kalev

henriette dahan kalev

Political scientists tend to examine the impact of grass roots activism in terms of visible output in the public sphere: for instance, how many laws were legislated, which desired policies came about, and whether decision-makers changed their minds as a result of grass roots pressure. In this fashion, feminist movements are often evaluated on the basis of the impact they make, even though changes in women's status are the outcome of many factors -- not all of them visible in the public sphere. Social changes most often begin with a shift in consciousness reinforced by economic and political factors, although …

Culture And Technological Innovation: Impact Of Institutional Trust And Appreciation Of Nature On Attitudes Towards Food Biotechnology In The U.S. And Germany, Hans Peters, John Lang, Magdalena Sawicka, William Hallman

John T. Lang

Using ‘general trust in institutions’ and ‘concepts of nature’ as examples, the article analyzes the influence of cultural factors on sense-making of food biotechnology and the resulting public attitudes in the USA and Germany. According to the hypotheses investigated, different levels of trust and appreciation of nature explain part of the well-known differences in attitudes between both countries. The analysis of a cross-cultural survey of the general population shows that appreciation of nature is a predictor of attitudes in both countries. The higher appreciation of nature in Germany partly explains why attitudes towards food biotechnology are more negative in Germany …

Understanding Receptivity To Genetically Modified Foods, John Lang, Susanna Priest

John T. Lang

Consumers in the United States and Europe have not fully embraced genetically modified (gm) foods. In the United States, public opinion remains undecided, whereas in Europe, people tend to regard such foods in a negative light. While opposition to gm products may be more vigorous in Europe, consumer enthusiasm for these foods is actually quite limited on both sides of the Atlantic. Policy makers and industry executives have struggled to grasp why consumers have not greeted these foods more enthusiastically. Contrary to apparent industry opinion, economics at the consumer level is not the only factor to consider when trying to …