Soc. 100 Lecture 04.Models

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Soc. 100 Lecture 04.Models
Edited 3/31/01
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Explanatory models-lecture
a. General points on models Examples
of models The Trees different
perspectives Medicine- different
perspectives Chickens crossing the road (a
joke!) What knowledge of a model
tells us b. A possible history of models of
social behavior c. PUSH-PULL continuum of
models d. PUSH model of social behavior
(outline "Push Model") Some
non-scientific examples
Biological Evolution --outline
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History of Models explaining Human Behavior
Epistemology -folknowledge
-logic
-scientific
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Folknowledge
"absence makes the heart grow fonder"
but "out of sight out of mind" "Birds of a
feather flock together" but
"opposites attract" "Look before you leap"
but "he who hesitates is lost"
or "think long you think wrong" "Quite
waters run deep" but " where there
is smoke theirs fire" "the pen is mightier than
the sword" but "speak softly and
carry a big stick" "What goes around comes
around" and "history repeats itself"
but "opportunity only strikes once?"
so "Strike while the iron is hot"
IMPORTANCE - we culturally accept these as
common sense.
They win arguments
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C-F93
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a The PUSH-PULL continuum of
modelsb. The PUSH model of social
behavior Some non-scientific
examples Biological Evolution
--Outline "Push Model"
Push-Pull Continuum
Mixed Wishy Washy Psychology
Pull "nurture" Sociology
Push "nature" Sociobiology
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How would each model explain the following

• Approximate
• 1/3 of Americans are grossly overweight
• 1/3 are overweight
• 1/3 are an acceptable healthy weight

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BIOLOGICAL EVOLUTION MODEL Basics
A ground squirrel, climate change, birds of prey
and time
non hoarding soft coated meadow
dweller diurnal dark color
nomadic 1st 2nd
hoarding
3rd
rough
4th burrows
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nocturnal
. tan color

. territorial
Nth generation
Gradualism!
TYPES OF EVOLUTION
directional, stabilizing, disruptive
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Discussion Groups
(1) Stratification and social patters in "The
Human Zoo" (2) Stratification and social life in
Bakersfield--a possible

observation Shopping--which variables
or related Give specifics of the
stratification variables X to shopping
in examples from your shopping
observations who shops where (Walmart,
Gottshalks) how do their status and actions
differ
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Next --Freud
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