A Guide to Sophisticated Thinking and Creative Living
What is a Concept?
“Concepts” are general ideas you use to organize your experience. In doing so, they bring order and intelligibility to your life. They are the vocabulary of thought.
Examples of concepts:
- Changes from being biased to being more open
- Marriage
- Education
- Success
- Communication
Concepts are continually being defined and redefined. Derived from the Latin “boundary,” you use concepts to classify an object, idea, or experience.
What is a Sophisticated Thinker?
A sophisticated thinker goes
Read MoreThe Sex-Gender Distinction in Feminist Thought
1. The Sex-Gender Distinction and Feminist Consciousness
The distinction between sex and gender is key to the advancement of feminist consciousness. Several feminist authors have elaborated on this distinction, while others have questioned its importance.
Authors Who Emphasize the Distinction
Mary Wollstonecraft, in her seminal work A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, argued that women should be treated as human beings first and foremost. She suggested that gendered behavior was learned through education
Read MoreSocial Interaction and Group Dynamics in a Risk Society
Sociological Theories and Group Social Work
Mid-Level Theory
Facing Parsons’ grand theory, Merton calls for a mid-level theory. This approach focuses on analyzing a defined area of social phenomena, favoring the establishment of proper connections between theoretical and empirical research.
Conflict Theory
Its main proponent is Ralf Dahrendorf. He believed society always has two aspects: conflict and consensus. These processes are interrelated. Dahrendorf devoted his efforts to developing a theory of
Read MoreA Historical Journey of Organizational Behavior: Theories, Challenges, and Opportunities
The Historical Development of Organizational Behavior (OB)
The historical development of organizational behavior (OB) is a fascinating journey that has evolved over centuries, influenced by various disciplines, events, and societal changes.
Early Management Theories (Late 19th to Early 20th Century)
Classical Management Theory
The early 20th century saw the emergence of classical management theories, primarily pioneered by Frederick Taylor, Henri Fayol, and Max Weber. Taylor introduced scientific management,
Read MoreUnderstanding Cognitive Development: Piaget and Learning Theories
Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development
Jean Piaget proposed that a child’s mind develops progressively through distinct stages. He believed that intelligence is the ability to adapt to the environment.
Sensorimotor Stage
In this stage, intelligence is demonstrated through actions. For example, a baby learning to pull a blanket to reach a toy is exhibiting intelligence. Piaget called this a scheme of action.
- Assimilation: Incorporating new stimuli into existing schemes.
- Accommodation: Adjusting existing
Understanding Perception and Motivation
Perception
Perception refers to the process through which individuals interpret and make sense of sensory information from their environment. It involves selecting, organizing, and interpreting sensory inputs to create a meaningful understanding of the world around us. Perception is subjective, meaning that it can vary from person to person based on their unique experiences, beliefs, and cognitive processes.
Factors Influencing Perception:
- Sensory Abilities: Individuals’ sensory abilities, such as