observation

Running head: OBSERVATION 1

OBSERVATION 6

Observation of Children

Dominique L. Swayze

American Military University SOCI213

Professor Marnie Carroll

January 24, 2016

Observation Report of Children's Interactions in Dance Studio Introduction The main purpose of this report is to make analyze the activities of children with different age groups and culture. The children selected for making observations belong to different age groups from the age of 6 -12years old in a public setting. The paper is used to observe one social setting to begin to detect patterns in human behavior observance of norms and potentially behaviors that deviate from the norm. This observation is based on social exchange theory. Also including observations linking, symbolic interaction. Social structure, personality, and group process.

Background of the Study The setting took place at a church function plenty of space and fresh air condition. The dance rehearsal consisted of different ethnic groups of all ages between 6 and 12 years of age and gender. The interaction between the children was a sight to see them playing without judgement or any concerns. The environment was safe and peaceful filled with laughter and joy. Given the reason that everyone one was there you could not tell the economic status. Everyone appeared that they just got from school and the parents just got off a long hard day of work. Such as my child and myself. Since the time was late in the day on a Wednesday the parents appeared to be exhausted. The children appeared to be ecstatic as if they had never saw each other at all. Although they meet every Wednesday night at 6pm. The patterns I see among the parents are there is no interacting with each other, Gazing upon their own children going over their rehearsal. Majority of the parents have their own group that they stick with throughout this one-hour block.

The children however, see no clicks or any separation among themselves. Some children need more redirection then others while many are quiet as a mouse. Some children are more aggressive and many are passive. The theory that would be used in this observation would be social exchange theory. which the children use in their plays can be also an expression of the adaption of children. These plays reflect the actual life of the children. It is a depiction of the experiences and the feelings with which they are going through in their real

Analysis of Theory/Concepts

Social exchange theory- The children who are involved in the dancing and acting for the play most of them are receiving gratification from others. For example, their parents, peers and the organization. Everyone at that age wants acceptances and rewards for what they do. Although it is for the organization there is a freely competiveness system. Such as is a certain child going to receive a bigger part than someone else’s child. Who is going to have more stage time? People who are involved in the interaction are rationally seeking to maximize their own gratification.

4 Concepts

Symbolic interactionism is when we focus more on the meaning rather than the day to day activities and interactions around us. Group processes tends to look at the social processes and how they may operate within the group context (Rohall, Milkie & Lucas, 2014). These children come together for one sole reason, which is to glorify their lord. The passion each and everyone has with conviction during every twirl and hand movements were amazing.

Social structure and personality basically focus more on the bigger picture like the connections and social structures as well as the person and how he or she may fit in. I believe at the ages of these children they all want to be accepted not only by their peers but also their audience. That feeling will never go away.

Although, personality ties in with social structure each individual brings their own personality that makes it original and a peace about the setting. Those who are overly excited are calmed by the reserved individual’s in that environment.

Finally, the last concept is group process. Toward the end the kids had to go into their groups of their particular dance style. Is this the type of group process that we learn at a young age? “What groups do we compare ourselves to in these situations, and how do we come to decide that things are fair or unfair? In short, group processes scholars are interested in answering these sorts of questions by studying the processes—such as status, power, and justice—that occur in group contexts” (Rohall, Milkie & Lucas, 2014,pg 14). The thing I admired amount these young children is they did not stay within their groups. Although they did compare themselves to others there were no dictators among them. More of a people pleaser and wanting everyone to be each other’s friends.

Reflection

The theory and concepts in this field of observation was to give society of different views of the world and who we come in contact on a daily basis. Intergrading these children as active members of society coming together with different cultures, genders of many ages. This observation shows the work ethic between different various groups to come together and not even acknowledge what or how society views on racism, gender discrimination and social class. These children break that perception. The innocence is what brought me to do this particular observation. Children are honest they rarely hold back if they are in a comfortable setting. Having the subjects be unaware of the observation, but be able to be themselves made it that much better to analyze these concepts and theory.

References

Rohall, D.E., Milkie M.A. & Lucas, J.W. (2014). Social Psychology: Sociological Perspectives (3rd. Ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.