[Ursula]

4)The “American Dream”—the notion that anybody can be successful and rich if they work hard enough—is most commonly associated with which sociological theory? a) Sociology b) Functionalism c) Conflict theory d) Ethnocentrism. Explain the response and compare and contrast your selection to the other perspectives.
The “American Dream”—the notion that anybody can be successful and rich if they work hard enough—is most associated with functionalism. Although functionalism and conflict theory socially get confused. Functionalism is an approach that focus on how social parts contribute in society as a system whereas, conflict is another approach that focus on conflict in society. Functionalism is argued as a good thing there for conflict is argued as a bad thing. Sociology has its definition in the word itself it’s the scientific study of ecological and evolutionary aspects of social behavior in animals and humans. Compared to functionalism which has no scientific aspect. Finally, ethnocentrism which is an evaluation of other cultures according to the perception of the customs originating in standards of one’s own culture. Which can be confused to the acceptance of the notion that anyone can be successful if they work had enough but, were not comparing one culture with another.

5) The American flag is a material object that denotes the United States of America; however, there are certain connotations that many associate with the flag, like bravery and freedom. In this example, what are bravery and freedom? Explain what each of these may mean in relation to the statement above. a) Symbols b) Language c) Material cultured) Non-material culture. Explain the response and compare and contrast your selection to the other perspectives.
Bravery and freedom in this example cognate with a broad culture that shows relation to a great outcome of this country which is the American flag. This symbol shows ownership to what they fought for. Also, how they felt about the fight that they had to overcome to get the great prize of what defines this American country. Bravery and Freedom is the language of the free and the brave, these words make the American person feel empowered of being a citizen of this country, also reminds the American people of what they overcame. The flag is the American way of having a material culture, because when anyone thinks of the United States the first thing that comes to their mind is the land of the free, home of the brave the stars, the stripes all have a meaning which is significant to the American people. The American flag is material but , it’s the norm like the Star spangled banner that’s sung in every national game or in middle (Catholic) school we had to say the pledge of Allegiance every single morning ,these are all examples of non material culture which help shape the society.

Explain why you did not select any of the other responses.
I didn’t select any of the other responses because the first one didn’t seem to make much sense to me, and the other topics I wasn’t so interested in.

[Oluremi “Remi” Alapo]

Dear Ursula,

Great discussion! You addressed the points on the culture and society from the 3 sociological perspectives. Out of the 3 perspectives, which do you align with the most in respect to the “American Dream”? Is there such as thing as “the American Dream”? Why or why not? Btw, congratulations on being so courageous in being the 1st person to post in the online discussion forum for the 1st week of SOC 100 🙂 Keep up the good work!

[Ursula]

Out of the 3 perspectives, which do you align with the most in respect to the “American Dream”? Is there such as thing as “the American Dream”? Why or why not?
• Out of the three perspectives I align most with conflict theory because it’s an approach that focus on conflict in society, and that’s what’s occurring day to day. This world isn’t fair on many platforms. The poor only make the rich richer. They get all the benefits while, the ones who need it don’t. Its not much of an American dream but, it’s the reality of this day and age, I don’t believe in “The American Dream” because it gives us a false sense of hope, which tends to disappoint. Yes, there’s freedom but, not much equality.

[Author]

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