(Solved) Field Study Observation | Homework #1 Solution

PART A

Respond to the following in a minimum of 175 words:

• How do you define the primary group and secondary group? Which primary and secondary groups have affected your socialization process? What values, beliefs, or norms from each group have influenced you?
• In your opinion, which group in the United States is the most important or influential to the most people? (For example, Congress is a group that makes decisions with far-reaching consequences that affect macro-level issues, as well as everyday lives.) Explain your response. How is this group functional or dysfunctional?

PART B

Assignment Content

Part I – Participant Observation

1. Sociologists use research to collect information about society and apply their findings to everyday life to better understand the human condition. Sociologists can investigate people in their natural environments by becoming part of their everyday settings to observe and study participants.
2. Imagine you are a practicing sociologist who is researching the behavior of social groups in social settings.
3. Conduct a participant observation in a setting where a group of people gathers. Examples of places with groups include malls, grocery stores, libraries, restaurants, coffee shops, parks, schools, employee break rooms, parking lots, pubs, sporting events, or your local neighborhood.
4. Station yourself in a safe location where you can observe participants for 60 minutes without having to approach or engage the public. You are just observing people, not interacting with them. DUE TO THE CORONA VIRUS (COVID-19) you have the option to review a favorite tv show to observe group behavior. This can include an hour drama, 30-minute sitcom, an hour of your favorite movie, a documentary, etc. The results are to view group behavior.
5. Use the Field Study Observation Template to collect field notes on the following data about the individuals in your observation, as you perceive it:

• Gender/sex
• Race/ethnicity
• Age

(Your numbers do not need to be exact, but try to make them as accurate as possible. You do not need to submit these notes with your assignment—they are only for you to reference to guide your observation.)

Part II – Reflection Report

Write a 525- to 700-word report about your observation. Include the following information:

1) Setting

• Describe the setting for your observation, including the location, time of day (morning, midday, afternoon, evening), and weather.

2) Group Dynamics

• What patterns of group behavior did you observe that may have been influenced by the setting?
• What patterns of group behavior did you observe based on gender/sex?
• What patterns of group behavior did you observe based on race/ethnicity?
• What patterns of group behavior did you observe based on age?
• Which cultural norms did you observe among your participants? Explain your answer in several sentences using at least one example. Get Blue Haven Initiative Help!!
• What did you observe overall about the group dynamics of your participants? Explain your answer in several sentences using at least one example.
• What social or economic factors might have influenced the group dynamics you observed? Explain your answer in several sentences.

3) Real-World Applications

• Consider how you could use a participant observation exercise in the future to study patterns in other social groups, such as with families, coworkers, or other organizations.
• Explain how observing social patterns could help your interactions in a group. Give at least one reason why improving your understanding of group dynamics can help you to succeed in culturally diverse environments.