The Forest, The Trees, and the One Thing

1
The Forest, The Trees, and the One Thing

• Allan Johnson

2

• 1. What are the 3 reasons Johnson gives for why
  he studies Sociology? (35-36)
• 2. Why does Johnson suggest that someone needs to
  define the essence of what sociologists do?
  (36-37)
• 3. What role does Johnson suggest that
  individualism plays in Racism and Sexism? (37-38)
• 4. According to Johnson, what is the problem with
  the individualist belief that society is just
  people? (39)

3

• 5. What is Johnsons One Thing? (39)
• 6. What does Johnson mean by saying people
  participate in systems without being part of
  them? Does this mean we cannot do anything about
  how a system works? (40)
• 7. What is the path of least resistance and how
  does it impact personal behavior? How is it
  related to role conflict? (41)
• 8. According to Johnson, who/what is present when
  a husband and wife argue about cleaning a
  bathroom or taking care of a sick child? (42)

4

• 9. According to Johnson, what do the following
  have in common suicide, war, shopping for
  clothing, racism? (43)
• 10. Why does Johnson suggest that individualistic
  models for change will not work?
• 11. Explain what is going on in Johnsons
  discussion of pollution. (45)
• 12. What is meant by both/and vs. either/or
  thinking? (46)