Chapter 3: Humanistic Approaches To Organizational Communica

Chapter 3 Humanistic Approaches To Organizational Communicationintro

The assignment requires you to interview someone in your community who has dealt with any of the social conflicts discussed in the first half of the course, such as suicide, bullying, depression, homelessness, or discrimination. The interview can be conducted in person, via computer, or through other communication means, but a one-on-one interaction is necessary. If a personal interview is not possible, you may choose a profession closely related to current social conflicts and analyze it using sociological perspectives and course material. The paper should be two to three pages long, formatted according to APA guidelines, including citations for at least three resources beyond your textbook. Late submissions will incur a penalty of 10 points per day.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

The social conflicts that pervade contemporary society are complex and multifaceted, involving diverse individuals and institutions. Understanding these conflicts through sociological lenses provides insights into their roots and potential remedies. For this assignment, I conducted an in-depth interview with Maria, a social worker at a local homelessness shelter, to explore her experiences with homelessness, its societal implications, and the sociological theories that shed light on this issue.

Maria has been working for over five years in a community shelter that supports homeless individuals. Her role involves providing not only material aid but also emotional support and pathways to reintegration into society. When I asked her about the causes of homelessness, she highlighted various social and structural factors, including economic disparities, lack of affordable housing, mental health issues, and systemic failures. She emphasized that homelessness is rarely the result of individual failings but often a consequence of broader societal issues, aligning with the sociological perspective of structural functionalism, which views social institutions and structures as necessary components that maintain societal stability (Giddens, 2014).

Maria shared a poignant story of a young man named David who became homeless after losing his job and experiencing a mental health crisis. Despite his desire to regain stability, he faced barriers such as employment discrimination and social stigma. This highlights the sociological concept of social marginalization, where certain groups are pushed to the fringes of society due to societal attitudes and policies (Stewart & McDermott, 2017). The interview underscored the importance of social safety nets and community support systems, reflecting the social conflict theory that critiques social inequalities and advocates for social change (Marx & Engels, 2010).

Furthermore, Maria discussed how societal perceptions influence policy decisions and funding allocations. She pointed out that homelessness often becomes moralized, with the blame placed on individuals rather than systemic shortcomings. This aligns with the symbolic interactionist perspective, which examines how social labels and meanings shape individual experiences and societal responses (Blumer, 1969). For example, labeling homeless individuals as lazy or vagrant perpetuates stigma, reduces empathy, and hampers effective policy formulation.

The sociological perspectives evident in Maria’s experiences demonstrate the importance of comprehensive approaches to social conflicts like homelessness. Structural functionalism highlights the role of social institutions, conflict theory emphasizes inequalities and power struggles, and symbolic interactionism focuses on social meanings and identities. Addressing homelessness effectively requires interventions at multiple levels, including policy reforms, community engagement, and changing societal attitudes.

This interview reinforced my understanding that social conflicts are deeply rooted in systemic issues rather than individual shortcomings. It also illustrated how sociological theories provide valuable frameworks for analyzing and addressing such problems. Engaging directly with individuals affected by social conflicts fosters empathy and deeper understanding, essential for developing effective social policies and practices.

References

• Blumer, H. (1969). Symbolic Interactionism: Perspective and Method. University of California Press.
• Giddens, A. (2014). Sociology (7th ed.). W. W. Norton & Company.
• Marx, K., & Engels, F. (2010). The Communist Manifesto. International Publishers.
• Stewart, S., & McDermott, A. (2017). Social Marginalization and its Effects. Journal of Social Issues, 73(4), 789-804.