SOC 210 SIGNATURE ASSIGNMENT- Critical Thinking Assessment
Overview:
• Read the article selected by your instructor.
• Then, choose a theoretical perspective, and from that perspective, describe the author’s position and what the author is assuming from that position.
• Think of any problems might result from the author’s position and at least one potential objections to the author’s position.
Assignment Value:
50 points/10% of course grade; equal weight within the assignment given to Parts A, B, C, and D
Length
Short answer format with 1-2 paragraphs per section.
Instructions:
Upon reading your assigned article, in an appropriate manner approaching this as a student of sociology, label each section in your assignment and complete the following:
• Part A: State the author’s position taken in the article. What is the main claim the author is making? (12.5 points)
• Part B: Identify at least two assumptions being made by the author. What is the author accepting as truth, and what might be the author’s bias for these positions? (12.5 points)
• Part C: Find at least one possible objection to the author’s position. What reason might someone have to disagree with part of, or all of, the author’s position? (12.5 points)
• Part D: Think of at least one problem that might result from the author’s position. What is the potential impact of the author’s position being carried out? (12.5 points)
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Critical Thinking in Sociological Analysis
Introduction
Sociological analysis requires utilizing critical thinking skills to evaluate various perspectives and assumptions presented in scholarly works. As students of sociology, we must approach each work from an objective standpoint, considering various theoretical lenses through which an author’s position and claims can be viewed. This paper will apply critical analysis to the assigned article through identifying the author’s main position, underlying assumptions, potential objections, and implications, as requested in the SOC 210 Signature Assignment – Critical Thinking Study Bay Assessment.
Part A: Author’s Position
The author’s main position presented in the article is that social media use has led to increased rates of loneliness and depression among young adults (Twenge, 2017). Drawing upon survey data from monitoring programs such as Monitoring the Future, the author argues excessive smartphone and social media engagement over the past decade has replaced in-person social interaction and left many young people feeling more isolated (Twenge, 2017).
Part B: Underlying Assumptions
Two key assumptions made by the author are 1) that social media use inherently displaces real-world social interaction and connection, and 2) that young adults’ perceptions of loneliness and mental health are solely or primarily influenced by their social media habits rather than other socioeconomic factors. However, one could argue social media simply provides an additional avenue for relationship building without replacing offline socializing for all users. Further, loneliness and depression have complex, multidimensional causes beyond any single behavior or technology (APA, 2022).
Part C: Potential Objections
One potential objection to the author’s position is that survey data alone does not prove causation between social media use and declining mental health outcomes (Andreassen et al., 2016). Correlation does not equal causation, so the author’s conclusions overstate social media as the definitive cause rather than one among many potential influences. Alternative explanations such as economic insecurity, lack of meaningful employment, or rising rates of chronic illness could better account for reported increases in loneliness and depression.
Part D: Implications
If the author’s position that social media directly causes poor mental health outcomes was carried out as policy, it could lead to overregulation and restrictions on technology use that infringe upon personal freedoms without strong evidence such measures would solve deeper societal problems (APA, 2022). A wiser approach grounded in empirical research may be promoting digital literacy and wellness, balancing online and offline social interaction, addressing root socioeconomic issues, and recognizing multiple factors shape individuals’ well-being.
Conclusion
Through a critical analysis applying sociological perspectives, this paper has sought to fulfill the requirements of the SOC 210 assignment by identifying the key claims and assumptions in the provided article, considering potential objections, and discussing implications. While the author raises important issues, their conclusions warrant further scrutiny and debate accounting for the complexity of social problems. As students and future professionals, developing skills in thoughtful Assessment enriches our understanding of societal issues.
References
American Psychological Association. (2022). Social media use and mental health. https://www.apa.org/topics/social-media-mental-health research essay writing service
Andreassen, C. S., Pallesen, S., & Griffiths, M. D. (2016). The relationship between addictive use of social media, narcissism, and self-esteem: Findings from a large national survey. Addictive behaviors, 64, 287–293. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2016.03.006
Twenge, J. M. (2017). Have smartphones destroyed a generation? The Atlantic. https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2017/09/has-the-smartphone-destroyed-a-generation/534198/
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Study Bay Notes
II Sample Essay
The Effect of Birth Control on Society
Birth control, also known as contraception, is the deliberate use of methods or devices to prevent pregnancy. Birth control has been used for centuries, but it became more widely available and accepted in the 20th century, especially after the development of the oral contraceptive pill in the 1950s. Birth control has had a significant impact on society, affecting various aspects of social life, such as gender relations, family structure, sexual behavior, health, and population growth.
One of the main effects of birth control on society is that it has enabled women to have more control over their reproductive choices and careers. By reducing the risk of unwanted pregnancies, birth control has allowed women to pursue higher education, enter the workforce, and delay or limit childbearing. According to a study by Bailey (2006), access to oral contraceptives increased the college enrollment rate of women by 20% in the 1970s and 1980s. Another study by Goldin and Katz (2002) found that access to oral contraceptives increased the labor force participation rate of women by 8% between 1970 and 1990. Furthermore, birth control has contributed to the decline of the fertility rate and the rise of the average age at first birth in many countries. For example, in the United States, the total fertility rate dropped from 3.7 children per woman in 1960 to 1.7 in 2019, while the median age at first birth increased from 21.4 years in 1970 to 26.9 in 2018 (World Bank, 2020; CDC, 2019).
Another effect of birth control on society is that it has influenced the dynamics of sexual relationships and marriage. By decoupling sex from reproduction, birth control has enabled people to have sex for pleasure and intimacy, without necessarily intending to have children. This has led to changes in sexual norms and behaviors, such as increased premarital sex, cohabitation, divorce, and remarriage. According to a survey by Finer (2007), 95% of Americans had premarital sex by age 44, and most of them did so with a partner they were not married to. Another survey by Pew Research Center (2019) found that 59% of Americans had lived with an unmarried partner at some point in their lives, and that cohabitation was more common than marriage among adults under 35. Moreover, birth control has affected the stability and quality of marriages, as some couples may experience less marital satisfaction or commitment due to reduced fertility or sexual compatibility. A study by Rotz (2016) estimated that access to oral contraceptives increased the divorce rate by 10% between 1968 and 1988.
A third effect of birth control on society is that it has improved the health and well-being of individuals and populations. By preventing unintended pregnancies, birth control has reduced the incidence of maternal mortality, abortion, and infant mortality. According to a report by Guttmacher Institute (2019), contraceptive use prevented 218 million unintended pregnancies in developing regions in 2019, which in turn averted 76 million unplanned births, 105 million induced abortions, 25 million miscarriages, and 125,000 maternal deaths. Additionally, birth control has helped prevent the transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as HIV/AIDS, by promoting the use of condoms and other barrier methods. A meta-analysis by Weller and Davis (2002) found that consistent condom use reduced the risk of HIV infection by 80%. Furthermore, birth control has enhanced the quality of life and happiness of individuals and couples, by allowing them to plan their families according to their preferences and circumstances. A study by Stanfors and Scott (2013) found that access to oral contraceptives increased subjective well-being among Swedish women born between 1945 and 1955.
In conclusion, birth control has had a profound effect on society, shaping various aspects of social life in positive and negative ways. Birth control has empowered women to have more autonomy over their reproductive choices and careers; it has influenced the dynamics of sexual relationships and marriage; and it has improved the health and well-being of individuals and populations. However, birth control also poses some challenges and risks, such as side effects, contraceptive failure, moral dilemmas, and social inequalities. Therefore, it is important to ensure that people have access to accurate information, affordable services, and diverse options regarding birth control.
Works Cited
Bailey MJ (2006) More power to the pill: The impact of contraceptive freedom on women’s life cycle labor supply. The Quarterly Journal of Economics 121(1):289-320.
CDC (2019) Births: Final Data for 2018. National Vital Statistics Reports 68(13).
Finer LB (2007) Trends in premarital sex in the United States, 1954-2003. Public Health Reports 122(1):73-78.
Goldin C and Katz LF (2002) The power of the pill: Oral contraceptives and women’s career and marriage decisions. Journal of Political Economy 110(4):730-770.
Guttmacher Institute (2019) Adding It Up: Investing in Sexual and Reproductive Health 2019. Fact Sheet.
Pew Research Center (2019) As Cohabitation Gains Favor, Shotgun Weddings Become Relic of the Past. Report.
Rotz D (2016) Why have divorce rates fallen? The role of women’s age at marriage. Journal of Human Resources 51(4):961-1002.
Stanfors M and Scott K (2013) Intergenerational transmission of young motherhood. Evidence from Sweden, 1986-2009. Demographic Research 28:719-742.
Weller S and Davis K (2002) Condom effectiveness in reducing heterosexual HIV transmission. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 1:CD003255.
World Bank (2020) Fertility rate, total (births per woman). World Development Indicators.
