Is Gerhard Lenski right in classifying societies based on technological advances? Why? Explain in detail. What “other criteria” might be appropriate based on what you have read? Explain with an example. Please read page 76 from the online textbook, chapter 4, for this question.

Society and Social Interactions

Macro-level analysis and structural-functional perspective

Gerhard Lenski tends to be right in classifying societies based on technological advances as it depicts how societies are effectively changing and adapting to contemporary society. Gerhard posits that a more industrialized society tends to control its impact on the surroundings, hence developing different cultural features (Keirns,76). Control is crucial for success; hence, technology leads to higher production, which leads to an improved economy. However, advanced technology or industrialization does

not makeup society; factors like population size, growth, and cultural connections influence individuals’ beliefs and values regarding their health. Therefore, the health of society is a crucial component of society.

I believe that a stable economy can be crucial in sustaining society. Therefore, technology plays a crucial role in defining society but should not be the central premise for classifying societies since societies still live traditionally and thrive. In general, a successful society can refer to stable, healthy, and thriving individuals through their unique cultural practices.

Macro-level of analysis and social-conflict perspective

According to Karl Marx, alienation refers to a situation in which an individual is isolated from their work, society, or sense of self and is considered the outcome of capitalism (Keirns,81). Marx states that there are four types of alienation: worker alienation from their labour, worker alienation from the production process, worker alienation from themselves, and worker alienation from their colleagues. Under worker alienation from products and processes, the worker is responsible for product design and development, but the capitalist makes the important decisions. These concepts resonate with a contemporary society where individuals tend to have no control over their lives. For instance, the curriculum tends to be designed to control concepts learned in different levels from elementary, high school, and tertiary levels in school settings.

Macro-level analysis and structural-functional perspective

According to Durkheim, mechanical solidarity refers to a sense of togetherness in a society where individuals share beliefs, customs, and values, whereby things tend to be done in ways that have always been (Keirns, 80). For instance, a community deeply rooted in its customs may decide not to seek contemporary medical care but opt for a traditional mechanism to heal ailments. In contrast, organic solidarity refers to social cohesion based on dependence among individuals in advanced societies by performing various roles to function. For instance, salespeople rely on manufacturers to build and design products to sell them. I live in organic solidarity where individuals depend on each other professionally in the advanced society for its development and sustainability.

Micro-level of analysis and symbolic-interaction perspective

According to Max Weber, rationality entails efficiency and logic, enabling individuals to make commitments and adopt effective ways to attain their goals (Keirns, 83). For instance, rationalization helps change individuals’ perspectives to adopt new means of executing tasks. For instance, a community that may be deeply rooted in its customs may change its perspectives and adopt contemporary mechanisms like seeking regular oral health screening and services.  

Micro-level of analysis and symbolic-interaction perspective 

Self-fulfilling prophesy refers to the state whereby a false expectation leads to its verification, whereby a person’s expectation about the other leads to them acting to confirm the expectations (Merton, 507). For instance, I have experienced a self-fulfilling prophecy during high school. In school, teachers tended to have preconceived notions about students’ abilities, treating promising students and those deemed troublemakers differently. Those considered promising could be given more help and consistent motivation to do better. At the same time, those deemed troublesome could be allowed to spend time participating in their hobbies without consistent motivation to do better. This led to us seeing ourselves in ways similar to how the teachers perceived us, making promising students feel motivated while the troublesome ones feel inferior. Therefore, I agree with Thomas’ theorem concepts.

Work Cited

Keirns, Nathan. “Introduction to Sociology OpenStax.” (2016).