Lecture 3: wicked problem

Question 1

definition network society

Answer 1

A modern type of society with an infrastructure of social and media networks that characterizes its mode of organization at every level: individual, group/ organizational and societal.

• we live in a connected world and society is ever more connected, its becoming a network society
• in western societies, the individual linked by networks is becoming the basic unit of the network society

Question 2

differences of networks society from van Dijk & Castells

Answer 2

van Dijk: importance of digital communications. A society that increasingly organizes its relationships in media networks that gradually replace or complement the face-to-face communication based networks. (contrast to mass society)

Castells: Communications technologies allow for the annihilation of space and globalization; and changes the relationship to time (‘space of flows’). Network as basic unit of society

Question 3

ego-centered vs. complete networks

Answer 3

ego-centered: networs from the persepective of a single actor (ego)
complete: the relations between all units of a social system are analyzed

Question 4

why study social relations?

Answer 4

• s. relationships important for well-being and health
• s. r. determine access to social support and care
• s. r. and social support can buffer stress
• s. r. know different manifestations in different contexts

Question 5

convoy model

Answer 5

• emphasis on. emotional closeness in relationships
• “the social convoy provides a protective base and is part of a dynamic network that moves through time, space and the life course.”
• takes a life course perspective; the convoy changes as the need and opportunities to give and receive support changes

Question 6

3 dimensions of social relationships

Answer 6

1. structure: size, composition, contact frequency
2. function: social support, care, affect
3. quality: positive and negative

Question 7

advancements of the convoy model

Answer 7

1. Social relations are multidimensional (structure, type, function and quality)
2. Identifying how personal characteristics impact on social relations
3. Social relations can be measured objectively or subjectively
4. Social relationships are considered important at any given time, yet they also build from previous experience and become more significant over time
5. Circumstances and context are important for social
   relationships; for structure, function and quality

Question 8

network identification in the convoy model: three circles around you

Answer 8

1. close: co-workers, neigbours
2. closer: friends, siblings
3. closest person that you can’t live without: partner, children, parents, best friends etc.

Question 9

meaning individualization

Answer 9

process in which individuals have acquired more automony and freedom of choice

• decline of traditional communities such as churches, neigbourhoods
• individual rights more important; traditional norms less important
• less protection, more freedom
• loss of embeddeness and constraints within traditional social communities

Question 10

paradox of choice

Answer 10

more choice isn’t equal to more satisfaction. Choice can be stressful. We must engage in day-to-day decision on how to live. There’s increased risk and blame ourselves for failure

Question 11

social-emotional selectivity theory (Carstensen)

Answer 11

• shifts in motivations for social interactions
• emotional regulation becomes important as one becomes older, opposed to info seeking
• when aging the number of ties in the periphery of the network decline

Question 12

reciprocity0theory (Gouldner)

Answer 12

• reciprocity= giving and receiving of social support is balanced
• people look for ties in which support exchange is balanced or in which they receive more support than they give. Imbalance –> discontinued faster
  nonkin ties: more than family member (=more over large period of time)

Question 13

results cohort differences in proportion

Answer 13

• non-kin ties decrease by age

- only after age of 85

Question 14

meaning wicked problems

Answer 14

• definitions and solutions of problems are not agreed upon and unclear
• complexity, uncertainty and value divergence
• helps to understand why policies and programs generate controversy, fail to achieve goals, have unintended side effects and are difficult to coordinate and monitor