Woke Up At 6:30, Interacted With Squad Members At 7:00

Observation 0630 woke up, interact with squad members 0700 Went To Br

Observe the detailed daily routine documented, which includes waking up, interacting with squad members, breakfast, morning meetings, mission preparation, field missions, and social interactions such as gym norms, shower, talking with family, and group meals. The application requires revisiting this log to apply sociological analysis, examining how social norms shape and constrain daily activities. It involves analyzing the role of at least four sociological concepts—such as roles, institutions, interactions, impression management, stage theory, or emotional labor—in the context of this day. For two selected concepts, the analysis should incorporate scholarly sources illustrating how sociologists study these concepts in everyday life. The purpose is to demonstrate research skills by integrating external sources to deepen understanding. The reflection component entails contemplating one’s role within society, considering motives, instincts, feelings, and structural constraints, and discussing the reciprocal influence between oneself and others during the day's social experiences.

Paper For Above instruction

The daily routine detailed in the field log offers rich opportunities for sociological analysis, illustrating how social norms and roles operate in shaping individual behavior and social interactions. Analyzing these observations through sociological concepts such as social roles, social institutions, impression management, and emotional labor reveals the complexity of everyday social life and the ways in which societal expectations influence individual actions.

Social Roles and Social Norms

One of the core sociological concepts evident in the day’s activities is the idea of social roles, which refers to the expectations and behaviors associated with particular statuses within society. The individuals in the squad occupy roles such as team members, leaders, and family figures. These roles carry expectations defined by social norms, which are unwritten rules guiding behavior. For example, during the morning meeting and mission planning, individuals are expected to participate actively and collaboratively, demonstrating role-specific behaviors aligned with leadership and teamwork norms. Sociologists such as Erving Goffman (1959) emphasize the importance of roles in structuring social interactions and maintaining social order. Goffman’s dramaturgical analysis suggests that individuals perform different roles in various settings, managing their impressions to conform to societal expectations, as seen when squad members coordinate and present a cohesive front during missions and meetings.

Impression Management in Social Interaction

Impression management is another salient concept, emphasizing how individuals control the information they present about themselves to influence others’ perceptions. In the context of the day’s activities, interactions—such as the talk with family back home or the shared meals—are likely governed by efforts to project competence, camaraderie, and reliability. According to Hochschild (1983), impression management is a conscious effort to shape others’ perceptions through behaviors, speech, and appearance. During the mutual interactions at breakfast and after group activities, squad members might engage in subtle behaviors to reinforce group cohesion and uphold the social norms of camaraderie and professionalism. These performances help sustain social bonds and reinforce group identity, aligning with Goffman’s (1959) framework of life as a theatrical performance where individuals navigate their social roles strategically.

Emotional Labor in Military and Group Settings

The concept of emotional labor, introduced by Hochschild (1983), describes the process of managing emotions to fulfill the emotional requirements of a role. In the context of a military or disciplined group environment, emotional labor manifests in maintaining composure during stressful missions and exhibiting camaraderie during social interactions. For instance, squad members may suppress feelings of anxiety or frustration to project confidence and steadiness, which is crucial for team cohesion and operational effectiveness. Hochschild’s (1983) research on emotional labor in service industries highlights how managing emotions is often an invisible labor that sustains organizational function and interpersonal harmony, a concept directly applicable to the observed scenario where interpersonal restraint and positivity contribute to collective performance.

Institutional Structures and Social Behavior

Another relevant concept is social institutions, which provide the formal and informal frameworks that shape behavior in structured settings. The military or paramilitary environment exemplifies a highly institutionalized context with established routines, norms, and disciplinary mechanisms. These institutions influence individual actions, enforcing roles, norms, and expectations through codes of conduct, routines, and hierarchical authority—such as the morning briefing and mission execution. Sociologists such as Durkheim (1912) emphasize that social institutions are foundational to social cohesion and order. In this case, the institutional structure ensures discipline, coordination, and purpose across daily activities, constraining individual choice but providing stability and collective identity.

Reflexivity and Personal Impact within Society

Reflecting on personal involvement, I recognize that my motives and feelings are intertwined with these social structures and norms. The discipline and camaraderie observed influence my own attitudes towards responsibility, teamwork, and social belonging. Interactions with squad members affect my sense of identity within the group, while my presence and behavior also impact others’ perceptions and actions. This reciprocal influence underscores Pierre Bourdieu’s (1984) concept of habitus—internalized dispositions shaped by social fields that influence how I navigate social contexts. Recognizing how societal expectations constrain and enable my behaviors fosters a deeper understanding of the social fabric I am part of and my role within it.

Conclusion

Through sociological analysis, the routines and interactions documented in the field log reveal how social norms, roles, and institutions structure daily life. Concepts like impression management and emotional labor help explain the conscious and unconscious strategies individuals employ to navigate social expectations and maintain group cohesion. Reflecting on one's place within this social matrix demonstrates both the influence of structural constraints and the agency individuals possess in shaping their social reality. Such analyses deepen our comprehension of social life, illustrating that everyday routines are not merely habitual but are embedded within complex social frameworks that sustain collective order and individual identity.

References

• Bourdieu, P. (1984). Distinction: A social critique of the judgment of taste. Harvard University Press.
• Durkheim, É. (1912). The elementary forms of religious life. Oxford University Press.
• Goffman, E. (1959). The presentation of self in everyday life. Anchor Books.
• Hochschild, A. R. (1983). The managed heart: Commercialization of human feeling. University of California Press.
• Crespi, T. (2011). Gender socialization and gender roles in the family. Journal of Family Issues, 32(12), 1451-1470.
• Schwalbe, M. (2004). Generic processes in the sociology of interaction: Interaction rituals. Social Psychology Quarterly, 67(4), 341–352.
• Simon, R. (2004). The culture of the organization: Implications for management. Journal of Management Studies, 41(5), 841–860.
• Mead, G. H. (1934). Mind, self, and society. University of Chicago Press.
• Hinde, R. A. (1979). Towards understanding relationships. Academic Press.
• Simmel, G. (1950). The sociology of Georg Simmel. Free Press.