Who is my neighbor? : social affinity in a modern world / James A. Vela-McConnell.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Vela-McConnell, James A., 1967-

Series:

SUNY series in the sociology of culture

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Social interaction.

Affiliation (Psychology).

Communities.

Social action.

Social perception.

Civilization, Modern--20th century--Psychological aspects.

Civilization, Modern.

Psychological aspects.

Physical Description:

xviii, 328 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm.

Place of Publication:

Albany, N.Y. : State University of New York Press, [1999]

Summary:

In a world which often is labeled a "global village, " who exactly is our neighbor? Who is My Neighbor? explores the emergence of what is called "social affinity, " a concept bridging classical notions of social cohesion with contemporary social psychology. The ideas underlying social affinity focus on the sentiment of moral obligation which holds society together.

In order to understand how a sense of social affinity emerges within individuals, the author breaks down the concept into three dimensions -- social consciousness, sentiment, and action -- and their constitutive elements. These dimensions are then brought together in a single model demonstrating how social affinity and the meaning our values have for us are shaped by our social location and the self-interest which permeates our culture.

Contents:

1. A Society of Strangers 1

2. The Roots of Social Affinity 21

3. The Construction of Social Issues, Part I: Compartmentalizing the Self and Society 43

4. The Construction of Social Issues, Part II: Breaking the Boundaries Between Self and Other 63

5. The "Other Side of Silence": The Construction of Social Consciousness 83

6. A "Sentimental Journey": Emotions, Role-taking, and Empathy 109

7. A Call to Action: Social Activism and Social Affinity 145

8. From "Compartmentalizing" to "Breaking the Boundaries": Moving Along the Continuum of Social Affinity 181

9. Becoming "Fully Human": Social Affinity in a Modern World 219

Appendix A The Empirical Approach to Social Affinity 255

Appendix B Transcript of a Commercial for the Christian Children's Fund 271

Appendix C Social Issues Frames 275.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 307-318) and index.

ISBN:

0791443116

0791443124

OCLC:

40602718