Lecture 2: Social Structures

Lecture 2: Social Structures

Social Structure & Sustainability problems: How does our structure give us ideas, beliefs, and behaviors? - physical structures: transit housing/energy - social structures: class education etc. Technology links the two structures.

Social Structure Ideas

Ideas about human behavior: We live with billions of other human beings who influence our structure of life. The following three are central to structure and are mainly wants, not needs. *Transit *Housing/Energy *Technology Structures can be modified to adapt

Examples of Changes in Physical Structure

Change in Physical Structure: Speedway was once a street, but became a walkway so..... People changed their habits from driving their car to walking/biking Which means....people changed their ideas of what was a preferable method of traveling (also driving was practically impossible) People make ideas about what is the most ideal way to travel, anywhere they are. The area one lives in has a huge impact on what someone determines is "preferable" travel. Most cities are built for cars to be the primary method of travel, so necessary buildings are spread out. If an area were meant for human travel, then it would have compact placement of necessary buildings. Transit: method of traveling by transportation on wheels *Ideas becomes Wants...think about it, would you rather walk 10 miles to the store or simply drive there?  

Why won't some people opt to get an affordable bicycle rather than a car? -Because they are lazy  -They don't think they can do it -The physical structure (meant for cars) is hazardous for bikes (UT Austin is working with the city to make it more bike friendly) -For areas with bike lanes...Idiots on the road will come close to squashing us -Distance is too long -Weather is not preferable -Not time efficient  

Beliefs about Commuting

If humans do something, it changes their ideas/beliefs. Not the other way around. So if a person is raised in an area built around cars, their idea is that they must drive everywhere. Humans make assumptions about what they should be doing based on their environment. Ex.: If a person wasn't raised with a phone, then they won't believe they need it. But since most people are undoubtedly raised with such technology, then they will adopt the thought that they must have the phone to survive. Reasons for this? It exists, and humans desire to have stuff so......yeah  

Social Structure

Social Roles

Education: - student deviant behavior: taking notes for memorization reward: good grades *Note: Do you really learn in class? Or are students simply regurgitating memorized material? How is is that we learn in classes we made a C in but aren't proficient in classes we made an A in? College is pretty good at teaching you how to enhance short-term memory...

Social Institutions

Educational System Government Economy Relations Media

Think about how all these institutions affect your daily life.   

Global Warming Examples in Structure

Transit: pollution Device: Electricity, natural gas, emits carbon from a coal plant