The Sounds of Silence, Essay Example

What are social movements? How do social movement influence cultural attitudes? Compare and contrast gender/social movements to new social movements. How are they similar? How are they different?

In sociology, a social movement is defined as a series of actions between individuals that hold power and those fighting to achieve power that are generally sustained. The individuals fighting to achieve power are arguably doing so in order to represent the rest of the population without power, even if they are not also physically fighting for the same cause. A majority of the changes that those who initiate social movements intend to achieve change the definition of cultural normality. A gender social movements and new social movements are somewhat similar because they still remain to be a class struggle and political in nature, however modern social movements are economically related.

What is relative deprivation? Explain and give examples. What two elements are necessary before discontent is channeled into a social movement? How is resource mobilization connected to social movements? Why is leadership a central factor in mobilizing a social movement?

Relative deprivation is the status of being cut off of resources that a group needs to continue a social movement. An example of this is New York City’s legal order for the participants of Occupy Wall Street to remove their tents from protest sites. The two elements that are necessary before discontent is channeled into a social movement are that people must feel they have a right to their goals and they must perceive that they cannot attain their goals through conventional means. Leadership is a central factor in mobilizing a social movement because there is a need to organize individuals who are willing to fight for a similar cause.

What is meant by “sound of silence?” How important is non-verbal communication? Explain?

The “sound of silence” is nonverbal communication that people in social movements can use to more powerfully convey their message to individuals with power. Nonverbal communication is important because it is necessary to reinforce our primary messages. Although verbal communication is sometimes necessary in order to get the attention of a group, it is our nonverbal actions that speak louder if they reinforce this verbal action.

How is listening behavior achieved? Explain?

Individuals can learn listening behavior by imitating those around them. This typically involves sitting attentively in a manner that allows the listener to readily observe the speaker.