Sociology of Space and Architecture: Social Groups, Proxemics, Institutions
1. Sociology and Social Groups
Sociology is the scientific study of human social behavior, examining how people interact in groups ranging from small personal units to large institutions.
Primary Social Groups
- Small, intimate, face-to-face groups (micro level).
- Primary agents of socialization.
- Fulfill emotional needs and shape identity.
- Examples: family, close friends, married couples.
- Members are allowed into intimate space (0–50 cm).
Secondary Social Groups
- Large, formal, impersonal groups (macro level)
Social Identity and Diversity Terms with Examples
Social Identity & Diversity Terms with Examples
Asexuality — Lack of sexual attraction to others. Example: Someone who enjoys close friendships but does not feel sexual desire toward anyone.
Banal Nationalism — Everyday reminders of nationhood that unconsciously reinforce national identity. Example: Flags on government buildings; “domestic vs. international” news categories.
Bem Sex-Role Inventory (BSRI) — Tool measuring identification with masculine and feminine traits. Example: A person
Read MoreCritical Perspectives on Black Diaspora Identity and Struggle
I. Maafa: The Scope of the Transatlantic Slave Trade
Gomez, Exchanging Our Country Marks, Chapter 1: “Time and Space”
Summary: Gomez explores how African identities were preserved, adapted, or transformed in the Americas. He challenges the idea that Africans lost their cultural roots during enslavement and instead argues that memory, kinship, and religion helped sustain African identities.
Key Concepts:
- Maafa: A Kiswahili term meaning “great disaster,” used to describe the transatlantic slave trade
Key Theories and Models in Intercultural Communication
Intercultural Communication Fundamentals
Intercultural communication is the exchange of information between people from different cultures. Effective communication requires understanding several key concepts:
- Ethnocentrism: Judging other cultures based solely on the values and standards of one’s own culture.
- Cultural Relativism: Understanding a culture on its own terms, without judgment.
- High-Context vs. Low-Context: Communication styles ranging from implicit (shared understanding) to explicit (direct
Essential Sociology Definitions: Power, Poverty, and Segregation
Open Society
A society where individuals have the freedom to act as they please and create their own social structures.
Closed Society
A society where decisions are limited, often dictatorial, such as North Korea, where internet access is highly restricted.
Aversive Racism
The attitudes of a person who attempts to ignore the existence of Black people and actively avoids contact with them.
Dominative Racism
A form of racism that divides races, leading the dominant group to exploit victims, as seen historically
Read MoreFoundational Sociological Theories: Saint-Simon & Marx
Saint-Simon’s Impact on Sociology
Henri de Saint-Simon (1760–1825), a French thinker, is considered one of the early founders of sociology. Though not a sociologist in the modern sense, his ideas laid important groundwork for the development of the discipline. His work focused on society, social change, industrial development, and the role of science in social progress. His major contributions include:
Founding Social Science & Positivism
Saint-Simon is considered among the first to view society
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