sumblog 10

For this week's topic of discussion we were required to first explore the theorist on our own, and then we discussed that theorist more in depth in the class period. Talcott Parsons was the theorist that we took the time better understand. After exploring the theorist on my own I felt like I had a pretty good grasp and understanding on his concepts, but after discussing him more depth in class I was able to identify more of his theories in todays society.
One of the theories that I was most able to apply in todays society was Parsons theories on the tasks that must be performed for a system or subsystem to survive. These tasks consist of four portions which are, adaptation, goal attainment, integration and latency. Adaptation means how well a system or subsystem as able to adapt to its environment. The second portion is goal attainment. This is literally what it sounds like. Parsons is saying for a system to be successful, they must be able to identify goals and achieve them. The third part of his theory is called integration. When Parsons identified integration as a part that a system must have to be successful, he was meaning to have a hierarchy, or different levels inside of the system. The fourth and final portion that a society needs to be successful is latency. latency meaning, clear norms and values of the institution. Parsons felt that inorder for a system to be successful  in general they must be successful in these four categories. 
An example of system that I see these theories applying to in today's society is an organization called, Compassion International, you can check out this organization here, http://www.compassion.com/. 
Compassions main goal is "Christian child sponsorship organization dedicated to the long-term development of children living in poverty around the world." Compassion International fights daily to reach this goal. This organization by having a goal alone meets Parsons standard of being successful by his findings. I feel Parson was correct when setting these four keys to reaching success inside of a system. However, I do feel that there are other important aspects of being a successful system and I think if a system were to only focus on the four portion that Parsons identified, it may fail. I think each system on an individual basis has different standards that it needs to set and attain on its own. 

sumblog number 9

This week in lecture the theorist that we discussed that I most connected to was Erving Goffman. Goffman discuses the theory of the way we present ourselves in society, all revolving around a theatrical theme. I personally feel Goffman's theories are completely applicable, and can even be seen in my own current life. Goffman discuses the idea of self labels, status, and roles. He defines status as "a particular  social position". A doctor or dentist would be a good example of a status that a person may have. With each particular status comes props that each person withholds; which is another concept Goffman explains. A doctor would be expected to have, doctor tools, not the tools of a police officer or lawyer. The idea of the self label that Goffman discuses is defined as, "you having the power to present yourself the way you want to."I find this concept of "self label" extremely interesting.

Goffman's theory of self label is easily seen in todays society, and is a pressure even I feel. Every morning we wake up and get ready for class. What we decide to wear, how we do our hair, our backpacks, everything, is the power we have to present ourselves in anyway we want. Me wearing hikers and a columbia jacket, may give off the impression that I am an outdoorsy person, by no means am I attempting to look "outdoorsy" but occurs subconsciously. Although we all have the ultimate decision in how present ourselves, i think our audience, or society also has a huge impact on the way we present ourselves. For example, If I were to wear a forest green button up shirt (something that is not unusual in my own wardrobe), but on my way to class I get told by more then two people that the shirt made me look very masculine, I would probably not wear it again. I hate to admit that my audience or society has this much of an influence on me but i think it has that affect on everyone. Maybe i would not necessarily never wear that shirt again, but i would think twice about it. I think Goffman discuses this concept when he goes into discussing the power of the audience. I think Society and our audience has a lot more of an impact on our "self label" then we would really like to admit. I encourage you all to throw the audiences power out the door and wear that forest green button down, or knit, wear those broken in shoes, because YOU want to, because it makes you YOU.

sumblog 8

This week in class we discussed George Herbert Mead's theories on "self, "I" and "me". He goes on to discus the concept of the "I" as the response to an attitude, an initial reaction, thoughts on a subject that are completely raw, or the unfiltered you. It is rare to see the a-typical persons "I" version of themselves. This part of a persons self usually comes out once one has established a deep trust with another, but never comes out after a first meeting. The other part of ourselves that Mead describes is the "me", this is the part of you that comes out after it goes through a filter. The "I" part of yourself is unfiltered and very rarely comes out while, the "me" part of your self is very filtered and acceptable to society.

At first, after reading Mead's theories, I was  unable to fully grasp his concepts on "me" and "I". After coming to class and listening to some of the in class examples, I was able to gain a better understanding on Mead's theories. I think they continue to be completely applicable in today's society. For example, going on first dates, we are attempting to put on our best selves when on a first date. Most likely we would not allow the opposite person to view much of the "I" part of us. We would only allow them to see the filtered, clean version of ourselves, wanting to give off the absolute best impression  After dating this person for a year or so that "filter" that Mead discuses may start to fall alway, and the opposite person would begin to see more of our "I" self. We would no longer need to filter everything because we trust that person and can be our true selves.

I really enjoyed this picture because i felt it really grasped the concept of us having almost two identities, the "me"and "I".