Sociology and Consumer Society - 1326 Words

TM02 Plan †¢ Introduction †¢ Consumer Society – choices and freedom †¢ Seduced and the Repressed †¢ Consuming uses and behaviour †¢ Baumans theories †¢ Supermarkets – how they seduce us †¢ Why big supermarkets can sell cheap goods and small shops can’t compete †¢ Repressed cant compete †¢ Conclusion –do we have freedom of choice TMA02 Explore the claim that consumer society is characterised by freedom of choice. Introduction. †¢ My essay is going to look at the claim do we have a freedom of choice in Consumer Society , and is it characterised by different concepts or is it by choice we shop and do things in certain ways. Living in today’s consumer society gives us freedom of choice dependant on our†¦show more content†¦Bigger supermarkets can afford to give unbeatable offers due to buying in mass quantities cheaply and also the fact that most supermarkets are out of town offering easy access and everything under one roof. Our choice of supermarket is often ruled by our friends/work colleagues due to class distinction if we shop at the cheaper one noses get turned up, if we shop at the more expensive questions are asked ‘how can you afford . ‘Supermarkets/stores enticing you in through their doors goes back to the industrial era, where the early department stores first opened up to the wealthy seducing them with a variety of goods that before could only be bought from specialist people, it then progressed to letting the poorer working class in through the doors i.e Selfridges opened its doors to the wealthy then decided to hold the Penny sale days where the poorer could hav e a taste of the luxuries they sold, Woolworths then came along and catered for all walks of life. Slowly over the years the big stores have taken custom away from the smaller ‘corner’ shop causing many to close down due to too much price competition, many people preferring to go to the bigger shopsShow MoreRelatedInequalities: Sociology and Consumer Society774 Words   |  4 PagesA consumer society is best defined as the process in which goods and services are bought and used to satisfy people’s perceived needs (J.Obelkevich. 1994). The image of this consumer society can be described as one of individualism and freedom but it can also be marked by social divisions, inequalities and exclusions. This essay examines the relationships there are between consumerism, the social divisions this engenders and ultimately the choices, if any, this offers to people. It shows how ourRead MoreSociology1681 Words   |  7 Pagesâ€Å"In the world we now live, divisions i nto class are meaningless. We are all working people now.†(Margaret Thatcher in 1988) The discussion that if Britain is becoming a classless society last for a long time. Britain was a typical manufacturing country because of industrial revolution in 18 century. Then the class structure of Britain was changed due to the globalization and economic system which changed from industrial to service during 19th and 20th century. In this easy, we focus on the changeRead MorePsychology And Sociology And Psychology1612 Words   |  7 PagesWhen we think of society or people, and their behavior, psychology and sociology come to our mind. This is because they are academic fields that posses the same main idea, which is the study of the behavior. Although these two sciences have enormous differences, for those whom never had read anything about this topics it would seem the same. Despite bearing some superficial similarities, the differences between sociology and psychology are pronounced. Actually the main contrast between them isRead MoreThe Arguments And Conflict For Public Sociology Essay1496 Words   |  6 Pagespublic sociology. The main focus is to see the consequences for public sociology by exploring three key points .Public sociology encompasses the working together of the sociologist, the academic and the public to identify and resolve issues that confront the communities and attempt to improve their well-being. These issues may have to do with the effects of globalisation on the environment, multi- national corporations, social justice and civil society. There is a need for a public sociology that valuesRead MoreThe Gender Marketing Of Toys : Shaping The Way Americans Shop And Play Essay1623 Words   |  7 Pagescreate gender divides based on toy characteristics and how it shapes gender expectations (Mansbach, 375). Carol Auster is a sociology professor at Franklin and Marshall College. Sociologists examines human behavior and society in a more in-depth way than the average human being to obtain a better understanding of social life and why people develop the way they do (What is Sociology?). Auster obtained her M.A. and Ph. D. from Princeton University. Auster received the 2011 Christian R. and Mary F. LindbackRead MoreStudent s Social Background And Their Connections Within Society1531 Words   |  7 Pagespre-service educator it is imperative to understand a student’s social background and their connections within society. Julie Matthews regards education being concerned with the transmission of culture, values, beliefs, knowledge and skills (2013,p166). Social insights into learner’s backgrounds can expose how and why student’s act and think in a particular way. Developmentally the sociology of education has provided numerous theories, the functionalist perspective, th e conflict perspective, Forms ofRead MoreWal Mart1969 Words   |  6 Pagesï » ¿ 1. Functionalist questions a. What are the functions of Wal-Mart for society? Wal-Mart is an  American  multinational retail corporation and one of the leading discount department retail stores (Wikipedia).  It is the highest- grossing company in the United States (Fortune 2008a), and is by far one of the most successful companies worldwide. Wal-Mart offers a place to buy the majority of our goods under one roof like electronics, furniture, clothing, pharmacy, sports, food, books etc. Wal-Mart sellsRead MoreWalmart As A Corporate Entity1170 Words   |  5 PagesWalmart influences buying habits of consumers worldwide would be an understatement. According to Walmart.com, as of October 2014, Walmart Corporation has 4,987 retail units in the United States alone. These nearly 5,000 stores employ approximately 1.3 million people. (Walmart Locations Around the World - United States.) You may be asking how all of this fits into sociology. The answer is, simply, function. Walmart as a corporate entity serves a purpose in society, thus fitting into the functional istRead MoreConflicting Perspectives of the Ideal Family Essay1174 Words   |  5 Pageswithin families’. Discuss with reference to relevant sociological theories and examples. The Functionalist sociologist, Murdock (1949) defined the ‘family as a social group characterised by common residence, economic co-operation and reproduction’ (Sociology In Focus p62). He claimed it must include adults of both sexes of whom maintain a socially accepted sexual relationship, and own or adopted, of the sexually cohabiting adults. Murdocks definition is focuses on the Nuclear family stereotypicallyRead MoreA Social Critique Of The Judgment Of Taste1661 Words   |  7 PagesPierrie Bourdieu was a sociologist, anthropologist, philosopher, and renowned public intellectual. He mainly focused with the dynamics of powers in society; especially those that were diverse and delicate in the ways of how they were transferred. As well as how social order were maintained throughout the time of their existence. (Bourdieu) Bourdieu is best known for his book Distinction: A Social Critique of the Judgment of Taste. Being deemed the sixth most important sociological work of the twentieth