Understanding Technology's Impact on Social Connections and
School
University of California, Berkeley**We aren't endorsed by this school
Course
SOCIOL 167
Subject
Sociology
Date
Dec 10, 2024
Pages
4
Uploaded by MegaValor15255
SOC 167 Midterm2. In Turkle's Alone Together, what is her main argument about how technology appealsto us? How are sociable robots a key example of this?Turkle argues that technology appeals to us by offering connections that feelemotionally fulfilling without requiring intimacy or vulnerability. People are often drawn tothese connections because they allow us to avoid the complexities and risks associated withreal human relationships.Sociable robots are a key example of this, as they create the illusion of intimacy and aremedy to loneliness while remaining entirely programmed and predictable. These robots canrespond in ways that feel personal and comforting, but without the authenticity or mutualvulnerability found in human relationships.(Turkle, 2011, 10)3. What is technological determinism? Give an example of a reading from class that is agood example of technological determinism and explain why it is a good example.Technological determinism is the belief that technology directly shapes and drivessocietal changes. It positions technology as the primary force influencing how societydevelops. A good example of technological determinism is found in the Carr reading, “IsGoogle Making Us Stupid?” Carr argues that Google and similar technologies are reshapinghow we think, reducing our capacity for deep reading and concentration. He suggests that theinstant access to information through Google trains us to expect quick answers, therebyundermining the depth of thought and research that was common before such technologyexisted.4. According to Hampton's (2010) The Social Life of Wireless Urban Spaces, how istechnology changing the use of urban public spaces? According to lecture, what is thepotential concern/downside of this shift?Hampton argues that technology is now common in public areas, like parks, coffeeshops, bars, and other places where people usually meet and socialise, and no longerrestricted to the home (Hampton, 2010, p. 701). Since the internet is easily accessible inmany locations, technology has started to change how people perceive these areas. Thesepublic spaces, which were once meant for in-person interactions, are now frequently crowdedwith people absorbed in their personal electronics, which can make one feel alone. The socialdynamics of these public areas are eventually changed by this change of emphasis, whichlowers social awareness and may result in less interaction with people in the localsurroundings.5. What does it mean for social capital to be both an individual and collective good?How does Putnam understand this and what is his argument about socialdecapitalization?
SOC 167 MidtermPutnam defines social capital as the features of a social group—such as norms, values,and shared culture—that facilitate cooperation and cohesion among its members. Socialcapital benefits both individuals and the community as a whole: individuals gain support andresources through their connections, while communities become more unified and capable ofcollective action.Putnam also discusses social decapitalization, or the erosion of social capital, whichhe argues leads to a breakdown in trust, increased self-centredness, and a decline incommunity involvement. This erosion weakens social bonds, reducing individuals’willingness to engage in collective activities that benefit the wider community (Putnam,1995, 2).6. Define strong ties and weak ties. According to Granovetter, what is the main benefitto weak ties and why? What is the most valuable weak tie and why?Strong ties are relationships with people we interact with frequently and know well.Weak ties, on the other hand, are connections with people we interact with less often, such asacquaintances or colleagues we see occasionally.The main benefit of weak ties, according to Granovetter, is their role in spreading newinformation across different social groups. Strong tie groups often share similar interests,which limits diverse information flow within that group, but weak ties bridge separatenetworks, allowing new and diferent ideas and opportunities to circulate among groups.The most valuable weak ties connect us to people outside our usual circles, offeringnew perspectives and opportunities we might not otherwise access within our immediatecircle (Granovetter, 1973, 1366)8. According to lecture, what are the most important aspects of Actor Network Theoryas it applies to technology (or to this course)? How does the example of Sharknadoillustrate this?An important aspect of Actor Network Theory (ANT) is that networks within socialsettings are composed of both human and non-human elements, such as objects, technologies,and other entities, all of which contribute to the network's structure and function. The secondimportant aspect of ANT is that these non-human elements should also be analysed equally as"actors" because they actively shape social interactions and the network as a whole alongwith humans.When it comes to technology, ANT encourages us to recognise its role as aninfluential participant in social networks, not just a backdrop to human actions. For instance,the trailer for Sharknado we saw in class illustrates how non-human actors like the shark andtornado interact to impact social relationships and shape people's responses to one another. Ina similar way, technology influences and transforms social relationships, acting as anessential part of the network rather than a passive tool.(Lin, 9/5/2024, Actor Network Theory)9. Briefly describe and define the 5 characteristics of moral panic. Give an example ofmoral panic from lecture and what the moral panic reflects about society and its values.
SOC 167 MidtermMoral panic in relation to the course is the social response of fear to new usuallymisunderstood technology. It is usually exacerbated by media coverage that uses fearmongering techniques which also boost their sales. The 5 characteristics of moral panic are:-Concern: There is a heightened level of concern regarding the new technologyand the effect it could have on society.-Consensus: There is usually a large majority that believe the new technologyis a genuine threat of some kind e.g. people could lose jobs or it could bedetrimental to the health of individuals.-Disproportionality: Usually with moral panic, the fear felt by people does notreflect the data gathered and studied e.g. they could say GMOs kill people butthe evidence to support this is not enough to make such a generalisation-Hostility: This means that a certain technology is designated as the enemy orthe problem causing the uproar. An example that comes to mind would beviolent video games which people claimed caused incresed violence amongothers. The video game companies were the group that people were hostile to.-Volatility: Usually with moral panic, there is always something new causingthe panic, today it could be GMOs and tomorrow it could be nuclear power.As such it has alot of notoriety at first that ultimately fades away with time.An example discussed in class is the moral panic over cyberporn. The main cause ofthis panic was the worry that moral standards would be corrupted by online pornography,especially for young people. In the context of quickly advancing digital technology, itunderscores worries about upholding traditional values and safeguarding vulnerable groups.It also reflects social anxieties about the influence of the internet, particularly with relation toaccess to explicit information. (Lin, 9/26/2024, Moral Panic)10. According to Zuboff, what is surveillance capital? What does it mean to informateand how is this becoming increasingly profitable?According to Zuboff, the development and use of big data, large amounts ofinformation frequently gathered by huge corporations, has opened the door for what sherefers to as surveillance capitalism. A large portion of big data is collected by smartphonesand other electronic devices without the knowledge of the user, though users mayoccasionally knowingly disclose data. After being gathered, this data turns into an asset thatcompanies like Google use to support surveillance capitalism, or what Zuboff refers to assurveillance capital. Information takes the place of usual types of capital in this approach,allowing businesses to achieve their goals by leveraging data to comprehend and impactconsumer behaviour on a large scale.According to Zuboff, surveillance capital is a data-driven asset that allows companiesto interact with customers in unconventional ways. By analysing hyper-personalised data,companies can informate,using existing data to generate more insights and gather furtherdata, which enables them to understand customer preferences more precisely. This approachallows businesses to attract and satisfy customer demands without relying on externalservices like focus groups or surveys (Zuboff, 2015, 76). Direct access to consumer insights
SOC 167 Midtermnot only reduces the need for intermediaries but also helps companies save costs andstrategically position themselves to appeal directly to customers.11. According to first generation Medium Theory, what are the three periods of history?How does the electronic medium affect social roles?According to medium theory, history can be divided into three key periods: oral, print,and electronic.The electronic medium has transformed social roles in numerous ways. First, itremoves the limitations imposed by physical location, allowing people to shape theiridentities beyond their immediate surroundings. Individuals are no longer confined to localinfluences; instead, they can access information globally and share experiences with distantothers, fostering identity formation that transcends geographical boundaries. Additionally,electronic media facilitate the sharing of information across diverse social roles, enablingpeople to move more fluidly between roles and adapt to a wider range of social contexts.(Lin,10/1/2024, Theories of Media Studies)12. What is the First, Second, and Third Place and what is the key definitive differencebetween them? According to lecture, why are Third Places important?The first place is the home, a personal and private space centred around primaryrelationships and responsibilities. The second place represents the workplace or school,where people fulfil specific roles like work, study, or other formal responsibilities. This spaceis structured and orientated toward productivity. Lastly, the Third Place is a neutral, informalspace outside of work and home intended for socializing. It is inclusive and welcoming,providing a space for friendships rather than family or colleagues.The key distinction between these places is their primary function in people’s lives:the first place is for personal life, the second place is for structured work or study, and thethird place is for informal socialisation and community engagement.