[Madeline Rosario]

4. <span style=”font-weight: 400;”> 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) Sociobiology b) Functionalism c) Conflict theory d) Ethnocentrism. Explain the response and compare and contrast your selection to the other perspectives</span>

<span style=”font-weight: 400;”>The “American Dream” the notion that anybody can be successful and rich if they work hard enough in my opinion is most commonly associated with the sociological theory of functionalism. Functionalism is a problem in which a single part of society can disrupt the whole. It is how the mind allows people to adapt, live, work and play. For example if you are living in a bad neighborhood where people are selling drugs, getting arrested constantly, shootings, people are just breaking laws, you are most likely to be exposed to it and be influenced. It is harder to do the right thing when you are surrounded by the bad. Functionalism and Conflict theory are similar in the sense that </span><span style=”font-weight: 400;”>both of these theories attempt to explain the connections between humans. But the difference is that functionalism is equilibrium while conflict theory is more competitive. In functionalism it becomes conflict because people do not follow what’s supposed to be the norms while in conflict theory it’s conflict because needs are neglected. Sociobiology is </span><span style=”font-weight: 400;”>the scientific study of the biological aspects of social behavior in animals and humans which relates to behavior which examines and explains things in terms of evolution. And ethnocentrism is the belief that one group is more superior than the other. It is more on the mindset an individual has. There are people that have become rich and successful even living in the worst conditions, it is how you seperate yourself from others and follow the right people with the goals you want to have. </span>

<span style=”font-weight: 400;”>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) Nonmaterial culture. Explain the response and compare and contrast your selection to the other perspectives.</span>

<span style=”font-weight: 400;”>What bravery and freedom means in this example with the American flag is that it means </span><span style=”font-weight: 400;”>it </span><span style=”font-weight: 400;”>represents the</span> <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>freedom</span><span style=”font-weight: 400;”>, dignity, and true </span><span style=”font-weight: 400;”>meaning</span><span style=”font-weight: 400;”> of being an </span><span style=”font-weight: 400;”>American</span><span style=”font-weight: 400;”>.</span><span style=”font-weight: 400;”> It means freedom because we have a Constitution which we had to fight for. And brave represents how men and our military were brave enough to fight and stand up for our country. The flag can symbolize different things to anybody. For example, t</span><span style=”font-weight: 400;”>he American flag can mean to me liberty, that we are the privileged few that live in a nation that gives each and every one of us the opportunity to strive for greatness in whatever field or endeavor we wish to pursue. For others it can mean something different depending on how they feel about their place in this country. The American flag is a material cultured thing created by someone. It may mean more to someone else than the </span><span style=”font-weight: 400;”>other. Others may not agree as to why we represent something for our country due to their values or culture which is non material. Everybody has their own beliefs and things they stand up for.</span>

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<span style=”font-weight: 400;”>I did not select any of the other responses because I did not find them as interesting as these to write about. </span>

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