If everything went virtual, how would this impact society according to two of the social theories listed in our readings or videos?

 

Response to the following 2 Peer Posts needed

 

Jocelyn Rogers (150 Words)

 

      If society transitioned entirely to a virtual existence, it would have profound implications for social dynamics, which can be analyzed through the lenses of two social theories: functionalism and symbolic interactionism.

 

      According to functionalism, society is viewed as a complex system composed of various interconnected parts that work together to maintain social order and stability. From a functionalist perspective, the shift to a virtual society would lead to significant changes in the functions and structures of social institutions.

 

      One consequence of virtualization might be the reconfiguration of traditional social institutions such as education, work, and family. Virtual classrooms and online learning platforms could replace traditional educational settings, potentially altering the dynamics of student-teacher relationships and the transmission of cultural values and norms. Similarly, remote work arrangements could transform the nature of employment, impacting job satisfaction, organizational hierarchies, and labor market dynamics. The virtualization of social interactions could also reshape family dynamics, with increased reliance on digital communication platforms potentially affecting intimacy, communication patterns, and family cohesion.

 

      Functionalists would argue that while virtualization might disrupt existing social structures, society would ultimately adapt to these changes by developing new norms, roles, and institutions to maintain social cohesion and equilibrium. For example, virtual communities and online support networks might emerge to fulfill the social functions traditionally provided by face-to-face interactions, fostering a sense of belonging and solidarity among individuals in the virtual realm.

 

      Symbolic interactionism focuses on the micro-level interactions and symbolic meanings that individuals attach to social phenomena. From a symbolic interactionist perspective, the transition to a virtual society would profoundly affect how individuals construct and interpret social reality through their interactions with others.

 

      In a virtual society, individuals would rely heavily on digital communication technologies to interact with one another, blurring the boundaries between physical and virtual spaces. Symbolic interactionists would be interested in examining how individuals negotiate meaning and construct social identities in the digital realm. For example, virtual avatars and online personas might become important symbols through which individuals express their identities, aspirations, and social statuses.

 

      Moreover, the virtualization of social interactions could lead to new forms of communication and expression, characterized by emojis, memes, and other digital symbols that convey nuanced meanings and emotions. Symbolic interactionists would be interested in studying how these digital symbols are created, shared, and interpreted by individuals in virtual spaces, shaping their perceptions of self and others.

 

      Additionally, symbolic interactionists would explore how virtual interactions influence the formation of social bonds, trust, and solidarity among individuals. While virtual interactions lack the immediacy and physical presence of face-to-face encounters, symbolic interactionists would argue that individuals can still develop meaningful relationships and shared understandings through digital communication channels, albeit in different ways.

 

      In conclusion, the transition to a virtual society would have far-reaching implications for social dynamics, which can be analyzed through the lenses of functionalism and symbolic interactionism. While functionalists would focus on the adaptation of social structures and institutions to accommodate virtualization, symbolic interactionists would examine how individuals construct meaning, identity, and relationships in the digital realm. Together, these perspectives provide valuable insights into the social consequences of a virtualized society.

 

Corina Shook (150 Words)

 

The impact on society if everything were to go virtual, and I assume this to include that our personal interactions would basically cease to be physical, would be immense.  Two of the theories that would most accurately reflect the societal changes would be social constructionism and symbolic interactionism. In social constructionism theory, we give value to things only because we agree to do so as a society, such as money.  In a virtual world, everything would be assigned a value based on the expectations of the virtual world.  This opens a lot of possibilities, because there are no physical objects of importance other than whatever is holding us in the virtual world, that is, whatever object creates an opening to the virtual world is what would be become most valuable in the physical world.  In the virtual world, we can create whatever possibility we want, much like a video game that we are immersed in, and so value in that world would be based upon whatever social constructs we agree to in that world. We might create a virtual economic system, but the reality is that there is no real value in that at all, because one cannot create with something that is not real.  I imagine another thing of value for that would be information.  Information would become much more valuable than money or property. In symbolic interactionism theory, people focus on the individual, and we focus on meanings we give to our interactions based on our past experiences. This would be interesting because in a virtual world, one can create many experiences, and truth is that we would not necessarily be affected physically, but emotionally, we can still be affected.  We know this because people find connections in today’s world that we feel are meaningful and important, even though they generally have no true physical impact on our lives other than our emotional attachment or feelings.

 

References

 

Hammond, R., Cheney, P., & Pearsey, R. (2015).  Sociology of the family : 01 changes and definitions. Freesociologybooks.com.  https://freesociologybooks.com/Sociology_Of_The_Family/01_Changes_and_Definitions.phpLinks to an external site.

 

QUESTION: What role disparities do you find in your school or workplace?  How do they impact you and others in these settings?

 

Response to the following 2 Peer Posts needed

 

Jocelyn Rogers (150 Words)

 

        Disparities in schools or workplaces can manifest in various forms, including but not limited to, differences in access to resources, opportunities, and treatment based on factors such as race, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, or ability. These disparities can have significant impacts on individuals and communities within these settings.

 

        Disparities in access to resources, such as educational materials, technology, or funding, can perpetuate inequalities in academic or professional achievement. For example, students from low-income backgrounds may lack access to essential resources like textbooks or internet connectivity, hindering their academic performance and opportunities for advancement. Similarly, in the workplace, disparities in access to training, mentorship, or professional development programs can contribute to differences in career advancement and earning potential among employees.

 

        Discriminatory treatment or biased decision-making processes can exacerbate disparities in schools or workplaces. For instance, students or employees from marginalized groups may face discrimination, microaggressions, or stereotypes that undermine their confidence, sense of belonging, and opportunities for success. Biases in hiring, promotion, or performance evaluation processes can also perpetuate inequalities by favoring certain individuals or groups over others based on non-meritocratic criteria.

 

        Disparities in schools or workplaces can have profound psychological and emotional impacts on individuals, leading to feelings of inadequacy, imposter syndrome, stress, or anxiety. Discriminatory experiences or unequal treatment can erode individuals’ self-esteem, motivation, and mental well-being, affecting their academic or job performance, as well as their overall quality of life.

 

        Disparities can strain social dynamics and community cohesion within schools or workplaces. In environments where inequality is prevalent, trust, collaboration, and solidarity among students or employees may be undermined, leading to interpersonal conflicts, tension, or division. This can impede collective efforts to foster a supportive and inclusive learning or working environment, ultimately hindering overall productivity, innovation, and morale.

 

        Disparities in schools or workplaces can have long-term consequences that extend beyond individual experiences. Persistent inequalities may perpetuate cycles of poverty, underachievement, and social exclusion, limiting individuals’ life chances and opportunities for upward mobility. Moreover, systemic disparities can erode social cohesion, trust in institutions, and faith in the fairness of society, contributing to broader societal divisions and inequities.

 

        In conclusion, addressing disparities in schools or workplaces is essential for promoting social justice, equity, and inclusion. By acknowledging and actively working to dismantle barriers to success, schools and workplaces can create environments that foster equal opportunities, respect diversity, and empower all individuals to thrive and contribute meaningfully to society.

 

Corina Shook (150 Words)

 

I think one of the most blatant role disparities I see in my workplace are the gender expectations between makes and females. While discrimination is not tolerated and it is not something I have seen blatantly exhibited (although most supervisory and leadership roles are occupied by men), I have noticed something rather irritating to me, especially in the last year, this is the expectation the males have of what their roles are compared to that of the females when it comes to the social interactions that occur in and outside of, the workplace.  A good example of this is when there is a potluck or celebratory party, such as a holiday party.  The planning, execution, and cleanup are all left up to the female employees.   I have not seen one man ever take part in any of it, other than to give money towards the cost of the event. Now in a potluck, they will bring food, but often that is food that either their female partners made, or they purchase items like chips and drinks, rarely do they cook themselves. I have stopped partaking in these events simply because I choose not to be one of the women who are predetermined by anyone, to be a caretaker of the men employees. The males have an expectation that they do not need to do anything other than assist financially, and to enjoy the results.  They put no work into it.  What is even more bothersome is that most women I work with do not consider this a problem.  They seem to feel it is their place to help care for the men. When I have pointed out to other women that I refuse to partake in these patriarchal expectations, they seem to think I am being a pain and making a big deal out of nothing. This causes some tense feelings among us, and nobody feels that saying anything to the men would make a difference.  I have a hard time with this, but I also do not want to “stand alone” and have to explain the issues to the males, because I do not feel like it is worth it to make waves at work and may cause more problems than it will solve.

 

 

 

References

 

Hammond, R., Cheney, P., & Pearsey, R. (2015).  Sociology of the family : 01 changes and definitions. Freesociologybooks.com.  https://freesociologybooks.com/Sociology_Of_The_Family/01_Changes_and_Definitions.phpLinks to an external site.

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