Definition of the Situation in Sociology

The definition of the situation is what people use to know what is expected of them and what is expected of others in any given situation. Through the definition of the situation, people obtain a sense of the statuses and roles of those involved in the situation so that they know how to behave.  It is the agreed upon, subjective understanding of what will happen in a given situation or setting, and who will play which roles in the action. The concept refers to how our understanding of the social context of where we may be, like a  movie theater, bank, library, or supermarket informs our expectations of what we will do, who we will interact with, and for what purpose. As such, the definition of the situation is a core aspect of social order -- of a smoothly operating society. The definition of the situation is something that we learn through socialization, composed of prior experiences, knowledge of norms, customs, beliefs, and social expectations, and is also informed by individual and collective needs and wants. It is  a foundational concept within symbolic interaction theory and an important one within sociology, generally. The Theorists Behind the Definition of the Situation Sociologists William I. Thomas and Florian Znaniecki are credited with laying the theory and research groundwork for the concept that is known as the definition of the situation. They wrote about meaning and social interaction in their groundbreaking empirical study of Polish immigrants in Chicago, published in five volumes between 1918 and 1920. In the book, titled The Polish Peasant in Europe and America, they wrote that a  person has to take social meanings into account and interpret his experience not exclusively in terms of his own needs and wishes but also in terms of the traditions, customs, beliefs, and aspirations of his social milieu. By social meanings, they refer to the shared beliefs, cultural practices, and norms that become common sense to native members of a society. However, the first time the phrase appeared in print was in a 1921 book published by sociologists Robert E. Park and Ernest Burgess, Introduction to the Science of Sociology. In this book, Park and Burgess cited a Carnegie study published in 1919 which apparently used the phrase. They wrote, common participation in common activities implies a common definition of the situation. In fact, every single act, and eventually all moral life, is dependent upon the definition of the situation. A definition of the situation precedes and limits any possible action, and a redefinition of the situation changes the character of the action. In this final sentence Park and Burgess refer to a defining principle of symbolic interaction theory: action follows meaning. They argue, without a definition of the situation that is known among all participants, those involved wouldnt know what to do with themselves. And, once that definition is known, it sanctions certain actions while prohibiting others. Examples of the Situation An easy example to grasp how situations are defined and why this process is important is that of a written contract. A legally binding document, a contract, for employment or sale of goods, for example, lays out the roles played by those involved and specifies their responsibilities, and sets out actions and interactions that will take place given the situation as defined by the contract. But, its the less easily codified definition of a situation that interests sociologists, who use it to refer to a necessary aspect of all the interactions we have in our daily lives, also known as micro-sociology. Take, for example, riding a bus. Before we even get on a bus, we are engaged with a definition of a situation in which buses exist to serve our transportation needs in society. Based on that shared understanding, we have expectations of being able to find buses at certain times, at certain places, and to be able to access them for a certain price. As we enter the bus, we, and presumably the other passengers and the driver, work with a shared definition of the situation that dictates the actions we take as we enter the bus -- paying or swiping a pass, conversing with the driver, taking a seat or grabbing a hand-hold. If someone acts in a way that defies the definition of the situation, confusion, discomfort, and even chaos can ensue. Sources Burgess, E.W. Introduction to the Science of Sociology. Robert Ezra Park, Kindle Edition, Amazon Digital Services LLC, March 30, 2011. Thomas, William. The Polish Peasant in Europe and America: A CLASSIC WORK IN IMMIGRATION HISTORY. Florian Znaniecki, Paperback, Student edition, University of Illinois Press, January 1, 1996. Edited by Nicki Lisa Cole, Ph.D.

The Bible Finding God Essay - 1134 Words

Finding God in History The Bible provides Christian readers with an array of different themes and motifs within each book, but the main theme that encompasses the whole collection of works is the story of salvation history. Salvation history is the foundation and glue that holds together the wide compilation of books within the Bible. After the Fall of Adam and Eve, salvation history refers to God’s promise of salvation for human kind. The Bible is described as salvation history because the Bible tells the story of humanity’s fall into sin and evil, but there is still hope. When sin entered the world, humanity became dependent on God’s promise of salvation from original sin. Salvation history happens in the Old Testament through God’s covenants and then is brought to fulfillment in the New Testament with Jesus’ coming. The promise of salvation in the Old Testament comes in the form of covenants made with the people God has chosen- the Israelites. God uses covenants with Noah, Abraham, and Moses to establish a relationship with His people and guide salvation history. The particular covenants with Abraham and Moses established the Israelite holy nation and dynastic line for when Jesus comes. Jesus’ arrival is not intended exclusively for the salvation of the Israelites but for the salvation of all humanity. There are multiple references to the Messiah’s coming in the Old Testament, and these references to Jesus can be found specifically in Genesis and Isaiah; Luke then usesShow MoreRelatedWorldview As A Person s Perception Of Life And Perspective Of The World1615 Words   |  7 Pagesinfluenced by the Bible and God’s truth. Words (146) Part II The first two chapters of Genesis clearly state that God created all things, life included [Genesis 1:1, 11-13, 20-22, 24-31] (Holy Bible, 2011). God is the beginning and end, and He is the creator. Life did not just appear or suddenly come into being from nothing by some unknown source or reason. Romans 1:19-20 reminds man that God is the creator and that none can deny His hand in creation (Holy Bible, 2011). Life was created by God. All thingsRead MoreChristmas As The Starting Point938 Words   |  4 Pagestalk to them about Christ, God, faith, sin, heaven, eternal life, and salvation can bring to the forefront both previous experiences and preconceived ideas. In the current worldview of truth being relative, the concrete descriptions and actions of Christianity can be difficult to focus. Use of historical texts, archaeological and geological evidence can provide â€Å"non-Christian† validation to the story of God, creation, Christ and ultimately the messages within the Bi ble. The starting point of anyRead MoreEssay on Science and Relgion1232 Words   |  5 Pagespious religious and the scientific world, especially in the Western world where Christianity dominated society, and where these scientific discoveries were being made. It was difficult for people at first to believe in God and at the same time except these new scientific findings that negated many things that religion had told them. Astonomer Kepler During the scientific revolution many religious issues were taken up. One was the issue of the earth being the center of the Universe, which theRead MoreThe Theory of Evolution Essay1353 Words   |  6 Pageshumans and of biological diversity. For instance, in the reading â€Å"Truth Cannot Contradict Truth,† Pope John Paul II, addressing the Pontifical Academy of Science, discussed the matter of God as creator of man. The Pope explains that men cannot relate to animals because men are superior. The reasoning for that is because God created humans under his likeness. What the church is saying about mankind contradicts with the scientific evidence scientists have found on human evolution. By analyzing the differentRead MoreAnalysis of Galileos Letter Essay766 Words   |  4 PagesChristina criticized the heliocentric theory that was created by Copernicus. This theory was created, in attempt, to bring different perspective on pre-existing theories involving the universe. Co pernicus wanted people to become interested in finding truths and new discoveries regarding science. Galileo wrote the letter firing back at such criticism. In his Letter to Grand Duchess Christiana, Galileo made an attempt to explain his discoveries and defended that they do not discredit the ChurchRead MoreAnalysis Of The Old Testament Book Of Esther1060 Words   |  5 PagesTHE BOOK OF ESTHER Course: Introduction to the Old Testament book of Esther Related Courses: Finding similarities in the Old and New Testament books Intended Audience: Adult Bible Class Objective After completing this lesson, students: a) Will readily be able to expound on where God is evident in the book of Esther b) Will apply the practices of searching the scriptures for similarities in Old and New Testament books. c) Will be able to show and find Christ even when he is not named or mentionedRead MoreBiblical Allusion in Cry, the Beloved Country Essays1120 Words   |  5 Pageswill give hope to his beloved country. Throughout the entire novel, Alan Paton continuously uses references to the bible and while some are not very apparent, most of them are considerable evident. Four apparent references that he uses are seen in Stephen Kumalos character, Absaloms decisions to name his unborn child Peter, Stephen Kumalo questioning the ways of God, and Stephen finding his son. At the start of the novel, Alan Paton introduces Stephen Kumalo, a native priest in the small villageRead MoreThe Christian Reformed Church ( Crc )903 Words   |  4 Pagesthe authority of the Bible appears to believe the same as me, that the Scriptures are sufficient and no other source is needed. However, there is mention of â€Å"Freedom of interpretation† that confuses me a bit. For this assignment I have broken down the CRC position sentences to dissect each major claim. Scripture, the saving revelation of God in Jesus Christ, addresses us with full divine authority in its total extent and in all its parts, and therefore the CRC speaks of the Bible as the inspired andRead MoreChristianity ( Religion ) On Christianity1349 Words   |  6 Pagesreligious groups and there is also many smaller ones. They all hold various and often differing beliefs concerning divinity, humanity and the rest of the universe. Many consider that their own faith is the only completely true one. Many believe that God revealed their faith to humanity in the form of sacred books; many believe that religions -- other than their own -- are all man-made. They believe that the consensus of scientists, and the beliefs of all other religions are at least partly false. TheRead MoreThe Ten Avenues Of Revelation1218 Words   |  5 PagesTheophanies, Angels, Prophets, Events, Jesus Christ and The Bible.†1 The Lot is used as a form of communication from God to man. Lots were stones which were used that were casted to make decisions and one sees this where God makes the final outcome of these lots which are casted. The Urim and Thummim were gemstones that were carried on the high priest s breastplate and used as lots to make decisions on situations through Gods will. Dreams were used by God and still are as a means of special revelation to

A Analysis of Essay Volar free essay sample

Yuliya Slipets A Analysis of Essay â€Å"Volar† In â€Å"Volar† Judith Cofer, she portrays the problems faced by many immigrant families, such as problems with fitting in, homesickness and starting life from the beginning in America. The author shows the daughter’s, the mother’s, and the father’s secret desire through their dream. The daughter’s obsession with superheroes is her desire to fit in to the culture where she lives. The author shows that the twelve years old girl with tight curls and skinny arm and legs is not happy with way she looks. She feels different from people surrounding her. She dreams that as she turns into super girl her† legs would grow long† (69) her â€Å"arms harden into steel†(69) and her† hair would magically go straight and turn a golden hair† (69). Escaping into her dreams, the little girl is trying to avoid a reality of not fitting in her new world. We will write a custom essay sample on A Analysis of Essay Volar or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page She feels â€Å"incongruous†( 69) waking up in her body. The mother is homesick for her country. She wants to go back to her country and see her â€Å"familia on the Island† (70). She understands that it is financially impossible for her to go back and it hurts her. She looks out from her kitchen window and has a view of the sky. She wishes to fly to her family and says â€Å"Ay,si yo pudeiera volar†- all she could do is wish she could fly. Although, the author has not clearly defined of the Father’s dream in this essay. It seems that father wants a new, better and financially stable life for his family. He is the person in the family who lives realistically and practically. He seems more worried about their new life than his wife. He is more interested in the discussion about their current life â€Å"†¦they would be discussing events in the barrio. Actually, he would be carrying that part of the conversation†. In this story, the family is like many immigrant families is dealing with their problems , escaping to their dreams to find a relief from the pain.

Phlebotomy Essays - Blood Tests, Blood, Hematology, Venipuncture

Phlebotomy Learning the Art of Bloodletting If one needs to determine if they are going to be eating for two or needing to rule out a diagnosis of diabetes, the most accurate and efficient procedure is having your blood tested and analyzed by a Lab tech in a medical laboratory. Before the tech can run a test there must be a properly educated and trained health care worker to perform the bloodletting procedure, in modern day terms this person is a phlebotomist. In this paper I will take you through the training and experiences I have encountered at DMC Huron Valley Hospital, in the laboratory, while being a phlebotomy student. The DMC facility in Commerce Michigan, better known as DMC Huron Valley is a fairly new facility. Built in 1986 the facility had one lab that performed phlebotomy procedures, it wasn?t until 1999 when a second outpatient lab was open on the second level to accommodate the needs of several specialized physician offices opening. The specialist consist in one of the wings have practices contained in Time Share Offices, which is where several physicians will use the facility and its equipment on a certain day of the week, month and even sometimes during a particular season. (Hunter, 2009) The hospital itself offers several different medical services, such as radiology, labor and delivery, perinatology, pathology, dermatology, inpatient care and many more. The hospital however does not offer an internal medicine department or pediatrics. (DMC, 2009) Within the lab collection of specimens for blood, urine, stool, and sputum are offered. Ninety five percent of the blood collecting specimens are performed on outpatients. Occasionally one of the doctors will request for the patient to have their blood drawn while they are still in the examination room. Collection of blood specimens, such as Homocysteine Levels, Complete Blood Counts, Lipid Profile, Chemistry Screening, Electrolytes, and Glucose Levels are a few of the multitudes of test the lab draws blood for. The laboratory technician, which performs the test on the specimens, performs the testing on the inpatient specimens. The majority of the outpatient specimens are sent the main Detroit Medical Center laboratory in downtown Detroit. If the patients requisition or prescription is marked STAT, which is defined as ?with no delay; at once? (unknown, 2009), the test are performed at DMC Huron Valley Sinai. The lab here at DMC/HVS has different testing stations, such as Hematology w ere CBC and SED Rate testing is done, Chemistry does drug screening and electrolyte testing, Coagulation takes care of the PT,PTT and Fibrogen. There is a Microbiology department that performs only STAT test for conditions like influenza and strep. There are other testing stations, Urinalysis, Blood Banking, Pathology, and Virology. (Hunter, 2009) The morning shift, 7:30am-3:30pm, which I am presently doing my externship, sets the precedence for the rest of the shifts. Upon arrival we obtain the keys for the second floor lab from the main lab on the first floor. After unlocking the lab and turning on the lights, heat/ac, we check the stock of supplies so that we can service our patients in a proper and timely manner. Then we check for any notes left from the previous day. Sometimes there are glucose tolerance test scheduled for the morning, we check the desk calendar for appointments, if a glucose test is scheduled we pull the patients chart from the computer and get the necessary items for the patient. The sign in clip board and ink pen are now set out for the patients to sign in. During the night test results for the doctor?s offices on our floor is sent to a printer in our lab. The results are printed on a DOX matrix type of printer that we rip off separate by patient and then by doctor, we then deliver it to the doctor?s r eceptionist. If it is Monday ? Friday, in the upstairs lab we primarily only draw blood and collect urine specimens, we will spin off serum separator tubes in the centrifuge, we also spin off Ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid tubes (EDTA) for Brain Nauturetic Peptide (BNP) test, then draw the serum off and put the serum in another container and store the container in a frozen bag containing a liquid

louis isadore kahn and the salk institute essays

louis isadore kahn and the salk institute essays Standing alone against the endless blue sea, the Salk Institute by Louis I. Kahn is one of a kind. "Louis Kahn's Salk Institute for Biological Studies on the Pacific coast near La Jolla aspires within its own spirit to an order achieved through clarity, definition, and consistency of application"(Heyer 195). To many, this magnificent structure may seem out of place, but it works well with the surrounding environment because of the spatial continuity that it possesses. The relation to the site, the tectonic characteristics, and the ideas of servant versus served, combine to achieve a great sense of order in the Salk Institute. Many of the ideas that went into the construction of this design are still utilized in architecture today. Kahn's modern design takes full advantage of the atmosphere by opening up a broad plaza between two research and lab wings providing a view of the beautiful Pacific Ocean and the coastline (Ghirardo 227). The laboratories are separated from the study areas, and each study has a view of the magnificent blue Pacific with horizontal light pouring in. This allows scientists to take a break from their frantic studies and clear their minds with a breath-taking view. In relation to this idea Kahn stated, "I separated the studies from the laboratory and placed them over the gardens. Now one need not spend all the time in the laboratories" (Ronner 158). The two lab wings are symmetrical about a small stream that runs through the middle of the courtyard and feeds into the ocean. This steady ban of water flowing towards the sea symbolizes the success that human can accomplish. I thought this idea had a worthy presence, considering the Salk Institute is one that promotes research and st udy. Thus, the courtyard is considered the facade to the sky. Kahn didn't need to dress up the land around the plan because the Salk Institute is the landscape. It is one with the site ...

Why We Need a Goal of Zero Inflation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Why We Need a Goal of Zero Inflation - Essay Example Keleher reports that, "This objective has been endorsed not only by many of the world's most esteemed monetary economists but also by many Federal Reserve officials". A zero inflation rate will not impact the unemployment rate as critics contend. It will, however, stabilize the economy, and benefit the average worker. Though there is some debate about the definition of zero inflation, almost all economists agree that high inflation rates have a negative impact on the economy. When the inflation rate reaches double digits, economies will experience slower rates of growth. The unpredictable future of inflation rates reduces investment, spending, and creates a climate ripe for poor planning. Future prices and uncertainty about future income affects everything from automobiles to the real estate market. There is no doubt that a goal of zero inflation is desirable in today's instantaneous, global economy. As much as it is desirable for the corporate economy, it is even more so for the individual. Retirees on fixed incomes face an uncertain future with high inflation. For the average worker, an inflationary rise in wages will lag the increase in prices, which will place them permanently behind the inflation curve. The complexities of evaluating personal financial decisions in an inflationary market leaves the consumer open to exploitation.

Hackers are the true defenders of cyberspace Essay

Hackers are the true defenders of cyberspace - Essay Example There is a great divergence in the understanding of the role of hackers in modern cyberspace. While they are often considered to be criminals, breaking into computer systems to cause damage and engage in personal gain; most hackers are out there for the exact opposite reasons, to help the cyber-environment, and to do something they love. According to Wikipedia, "hacker is extended to mean a person who makes things work beyond perceived limits through their own technical skill." Hackers, then, strive to improve the internet for all users, and not damage or deface what currently exists. Hackers, not crackers (people whose primary goal is financial gain), are the true defenders of cyberspace, in that they work to uncover security flaws, attempt to regulate dangerous or immoral content, promote new technology and ideas, and strive to stop crackers from damaging critical cyber technology. By describing and proving each of the above concepts related to hackers and the defense of cyberspace , this essay seeks to prove that crackers, not hackers, are the primary threat to cyberspace; and that hackers, through their actions and love of technology, strive to and are successful at being the true defenders of cyberspace.All over the world, groups of hackers are gainfully employed as cyber cops, internet security, and virus stoppers. Everyday they find "cures" to hundreds of bugs, Trojan horses, and viruses that crackers and hackers have loosed on the cyber world. At the anti-virus firm Kaspersky, in Moscow, "woodpeckers" (young hackers) work in twelve hour shifts to protect the internet. In the media, they are called computer programmers. However, their job is to correct code, and to travel into crackers' computers to hunt out the source of these security breaches (Johnson 2006). Internet security requires hackers to learn not only how to fix the problems crackers cause, but also how to think like them, to understand not only the how but also the why of what the crackers do . The line between hacker (with a positive connotation) and hacker (with a negative connotation) is actually finite. They break into other people's computers, investigate personal files, and change the internet in thousands of ways. However, hackers only do it out of love for cyberspace, and a need to protect others, and strengthen the security of other people's systems. Crackers, (the group commonly called hackers in mainstream media) do the same; only they do it not just out of love, but also out of a desire for personal gain. For hackers, the need to learn to think like crackers is paramount. They are taught in classrooms how to think and behave like crackers, using the same tools to find a system's weakest points (School 2005). Yet few people would argue that these people are doing damage; instead, they are trying to strengthen security, and are called computer programmers by mainstream media. They use the same tools, and do the same actions. The only difference is the eventual goal: for hackers, to improve the internet, for crackers, to improve their wallet. Crackers not only go after financial gain for themselves, they also try to hurt others, a new wave called "cyber terrorism." Cyber terrorism is defined as "cyber terrorism is the premeditated, politically motivated attack against information, computer systems, computer programs, and data which result in violence against noncombatant targets by sub national groups or clandestine agents" (Federal Bureau of Investigations 2006). Crackers gain entrance into military and government sites, causing damage and defacing the sites. Cyber terrorism is considered one of the greatest new threats, and laws are popping up everywhere requiring jail time for these offenders. Yet their greatest skill is that of not being findable, at least not by laypersons. Instead, computer programmers are becoming cyber cops, searching out these criminals, and stopping dangerous attacks on data. These "cracks" into government security can only be