Microeconomics reading
A Social system refers to the interrelations among various aspects or elements that makes up a society whose interactions establishes various behavior patterns for individuals through participating in it. The system does not only involve individuals but the components of the environment in which the people are able to build their social lives and determines their thinking, feelings and even intentions. For instance, a university can be regarded as a social system in which individuals participate but these individuals are not the university as the system. The influence of social systems on thoughts and behavior of people occurs while people are socializing and through the paths of least resistance (Kimmel, & Ferber 2010). People socialize through families, religions, schools and even the media so that they are exposed to various images and ideas from all directions and where they relate with other people. Through the other people, individuals develop their personal identities like race, ethnicity, class, religion, status and sexual orientation. The messages conveyed to a person make then develop feelings and perceptions towards other people, which eventual shapes their behavior towards other people. For instance, the media may send the message that a heterosexual can expect to have a beautiful and intelligent woman hence influencing his thoughts and behavior towards women. These aspects then define how people think and behave in the society. Paths of least resistance involves the many choices people have to make and the resistance or opposition they face from other people or situations that discourage them from following the chosen path (Kimmel, & Ferber 2010). People often choose that path with less assistance since it is more appealing and this informs their behavior, which is not likely to offend the social norm.
Apart from the individuals, the social system comprises of the various socials elements or aspects such as structures, beliefs, organizations, classes and the traditions or norms that have been established in the society (Kimmel, & Ferber 2010). The social systems also include the interaction between the individuals and the other elements which inform people’s behavior.
The examples of socials systems provided by Johnson include the families, workplaces, university, religious organizations and the mass media.
The various aspects of in my social systems include religions, knowledge and information, sentiments that includes political and social status, the norms and ideals, socials status and rules and regulations. These aspects can be found in different kinds of socials systems that includes the family, school, media and political parties. Religion influences my perceptions on morality, human conduct and how to relate with fellow humans or the environment in which the social systems exists. Religion also put boundaries on what I should or should not do, what places I should go at certain set times and how I should interact with other people such as the less privileged in the social system. The socials status affects the people I should interact with or the various activities I can engage in especially where the element of cost is considered .In addition , various norms and ideals exist in the family , school or college and the workplace and these determines how one I should conduct myself depending on the people I am interacting with. The many rules and regulations and constitution provisions in the political systems determine my political ideologies and what I should or shouldn’t do in specific places. The overall effects if informed by the available knowledge and information about these aspects.
References
Kimmel, M. S., & Ferber, A. L. (2010). Privilege: A reader. Sydney, Australia: Accessible Publishing Systems PTY, Ltd. 78-80
