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SOCIOLOGY TERM PROJECT A Day at Six Flags: Great Adventure Amanda R. SOC 101 Dr. Durso-Finley 24 April 2007

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Page 1: SOCIOLOGY TERM PROJECT A Day at Six Flags: Great Adventure Amanda R. SOC 101 Dr. Durso-Finley 24 April 2007

SOCIOLOGY TERM PROJECT

A Day at Six Flags: Great Adventure

Amanda R.SOC 101

Dr. Durso-Finley24 April 2007

Page 2: SOCIOLOGY TERM PROJECT A Day at Six Flags: Great Adventure Amanda R. SOC 101 Dr. Durso-Finley 24 April 2007

THE THREE PERSEPCTIVES:ANALYSIS AND APPLICATION

Slides 3-8: Social Conflict

Slides 9-15: Structural Functional

Slides 16-21: Symbolic Interaction

Slides 22-25: Application of Perspectives

Page 3: SOCIOLOGY TERM PROJECT A Day at Six Flags: Great Adventure Amanda R. SOC 101 Dr. Durso-Finley 24 April 2007

SOCIAL CONFLICT:

society is a competition for

power and resources

Page 4: SOCIOLOGY TERM PROJECT A Day at Six Flags: Great Adventure Amanda R. SOC 101 Dr. Durso-Finley 24 April 2007

What are some of the power resources people at Great Adventure may be

competing for?

• To get on a ride as quickly as possible• Admission to the free concerts• To be a volunteer at one of the shows (i.e. play with the

dolphins)• To be the winner of one of the Boardwalk Games, and

thus, win a prize• To get a good parking spot• The best seat on a water ride (the ‘dry’ seat or the ‘wet’

seat, depending on what you prefer)

Page 5: SOCIOLOGY TERM PROJECT A Day at Six Flags: Great Adventure Amanda R. SOC 101 Dr. Durso-Finley 24 April 2007

Who has the power resources at Great Adventure?

• The parking lot attendants, who direct people to different areas of the parking lot

• Security, who has the power to pull people out of line• The emcees/hosts of the different shows, who get to

choose the volunteers• The population of people in the park, which can decide

how quickly/slowly one can move about the park• The workers, who run the rides and control the

flow of things• The performers, who entertain the customers

Jesse McCartney, performing at GA

Page 6: SOCIOLOGY TERM PROJECT A Day at Six Flags: Great Adventure Amanda R. SOC 101 Dr. Durso-Finley 24 April 2007

Who wants the power resources? Why?

EVERYONE! But especially those who are in a hurry, or who have children, since they can become impatient. Also, overly competitive people want to win the games or be the first on line to fill their need to feel superior to the others competing with them. The employees and works need the power resources, because, say they couldn’t run the rides or administer help to the injured, then there would be problems and cracks in the structure of the park.

Page 7: SOCIOLOGY TERM PROJECT A Day at Six Flags: Great Adventure Amanda R. SOC 101 Dr. Durso-Finley 24 April 2007

Where/Why are they fighting about the power resources?

• They compete for the resources both in the park and in the parking lot.

• They are fighting because they…– want to go on as many rides as possible– want to get to the car as quickly as they can once the day is over– don’t want their children to get too upset/impatient– don’t want to get soaked on the water rides/want to cool off on a

hot day– they want to have/win prizes (possibly for the girlfriends, kids,

etc.)– they want to have the best experience they possibly can

Page 8: SOCIOLOGY TERM PROJECT A Day at Six Flags: Great Adventure Amanda R. SOC 101 Dr. Durso-Finley 24 April 2007

How do they compete for the resources/Who is winning the struggle?

• The people who arrive as early as possible (They get: the best parking spots, best spot on line, etc.)

• The people with the most enthusiasm(They get to be volunteers, since they capture the emcee’s

attention)

• The people with the most skill/luck(They win the Boardwalk Games)

• The people who walk/run the fastest(They get to rides earlier)

Page 9: SOCIOLOGY TERM PROJECT A Day at Six Flags: Great Adventure Amanda R. SOC 101 Dr. Durso-Finley 24 April 2007

STRUCTURAL FUNCTIONAL:

society works together as many parts that make up a whole

Page 10: SOCIOLOGY TERM PROJECT A Day at Six Flags: Great Adventure Amanda R. SOC 101 Dr. Durso-Finley 24 April 2007

What are some of the structures involved with Great Adventure?

• Employees– Ride runners– Maintenance– Cleaning crew– Performers– First Aid– Parking Attendants– Etc.

• Managers/Owners• Customers

Jason Wade, the lead singer of Lifehouse, performing at GA

Page 11: SOCIOLOGY TERM PROJECT A Day at Six Flags: Great Adventure Amanda R. SOC 101 Dr. Durso-Finley 24 April 2007

How do these structures work?

The workers…• Run the rides/games/shows• Clean/maintain the park appearance• Allow customers admittance to the park• Entertain customers• Keep/make sure people are safe• Feed customers• Handle legal/business/’behind the scenes’ issuesThe customers…• Provide the income the park needs to survive (through

their admission, purchases, etc.)• Become audience members for shows/concerts

Page 12: SOCIOLOGY TERM PROJECT A Day at Six Flags: Great Adventure Amanda R. SOC 101 Dr. Durso-Finley 24 April 2007

How do the parts work together as a whole?

On one side of it, the works of the park must work together to keep everything running smoothly, to make sure that the customers are having the most enjoyable time possible. For example, the maintenance crew must repair the rides and make sure they can run so the ride operators can do their job to keep their job of running the ride efficiently and smoothly. If the ride operators didn’t check the seatbelts, however, this would cause a problem for not only the first aid crew, but for the legal team, who would be faced with lawsuits. Therefore, everyone must do their part for the welfare of the park and the customers.

On the other side, the families and people attending the park must do their part to have an enjoyable time amongst themselves, while working with the employees of the park. For example, a family must cooperate with each on deciding which rides to go on, etc. so that each person will be having fun. Parents must also look after their children, and if needs be, work with the security and/or first aid crew of the park. Therefore, the customers must be responsible with the people they’re with, work with them to make decisions, but also take the help of the employees of the park if they need it.

Page 13: SOCIOLOGY TERM PROJECT A Day at Six Flags: Great Adventure Amanda R. SOC 101 Dr. Durso-Finley 24 April 2007

What place does Great Adventure hold in society?

Great Adventure is a large source for entertainment in New Jersey. It is a place for families to go for a day vacation, adolescents to go with friends, but overall, it has something for everyone. The park is a venue for many performers, who perform in concerts. GA employs many young people in need of jobs. The park is a great source for a fun time, from the variety of rides and games for all ages, to free concerts, to the live action shows starring Batman, dolphins and much more!

Page 14: SOCIOLOGY TERM PROJECT A Day at Six Flags: Great Adventure Amanda R. SOC 101 Dr. Durso-Finley 24 April 2007

What are some of the manifest, latent and dysfunctions of the structures within

GA?Manifest:

– Entertaining customers (keeping them happy)– Keep all areas of the park running safely, smoothly and cleanly– Feeding customers

Latent:– Employing teens– Helping find lost children/caring for injuries– Taking precautions for inclement weather/unplanned events– Closing down many rides for maintenance/replacing rides

Dysfunctions:– Possible deaths/severe injuries because of machinery

malfunctions– High prices for food/merchandise– Bad service

Page 15: SOCIOLOGY TERM PROJECT A Day at Six Flags: Great Adventure Amanda R. SOC 101 Dr. Durso-Finley 24 April 2007

How do the structures adapt?

• Offer lower prices/discounts (for example, seasons pass, coupons on Coke cans)

• Add more rides/events to increase excitement/hype about the park

• Offer special holiday events (i.e. Fright Fest)

• Collaborate with other companies toincrease marketing and advertising

• Get ‘big name’ performers to holdconcerts to increase population to the park

• Add/open more water rides to allow customers to cool off during a hot day (Open specialized parks/areas, such as Hurricane Harbor and the Safari)

Page 16: SOCIOLOGY TERM PROJECT A Day at Six Flags: Great Adventure Amanda R. SOC 101 Dr. Durso-Finley 24 April 2007

SYMBOLIC INTERACTION:

all communication and interaction in society is symbolic

Page 17: SOCIOLOGY TERM PROJECT A Day at Six Flags: Great Adventure Amanda R. SOC 101 Dr. Durso-Finley 24 April 2007

What symbols are involved with Great Adventure?

• Map Symbols (for example, to indicate water rides, kid rides, bathrooms, etc.)

• Uniforms• Flash Pass• Parking structures (i.e. signs to remember where

you parked: A6, C2)• Ride symbols

– Signs the workers use communicatethat the ride is ready (i.e. a fist in the air)

– ‘You must be this tall,’ ‘No eating/drinking,’‘Not for children’

Page 18: SOCIOLOGY TERM PROJECT A Day at Six Flags: Great Adventure Amanda R. SOC 101 Dr. Durso-Finley 24 April 2007

What do these symbols mean?

Map symbols which type of ride it is, or where something is located to make it easier and quicker to navigate

Uniforms who is an employee, therefore letting you know who you should go to for assistance

Flash Pass Whether you can jump to the front of the line

Parking Structures Which area of the lot you parked in/where security is located

Ride symbols •Who/what is allowed to go on the ride•If the passengers are secured safely/if the ride is ready to start

Page 19: SOCIOLOGY TERM PROJECT A Day at Six Flags: Great Adventure Amanda R. SOC 101 Dr. Durso-Finley 24 April 2007

Does everyone agree on the meaning?

Everyone must agree on the meaning because many of the symbols are there for the safety and well-being of those involved. For example, the ride symbols indicate who is allowed to go on the ride, depending on age, height, etc. not because GA is being selective, but to insure the safety of the passengers. Uniforms also help indicate who you can go to for help/assistance.

Other symbols are there for functionality, they keep things running for smoothly and quickly. For example, the parking structures are there to help locate your car more quickly. The map symbols help you to move around the park efficiently.

The Flash Pass is there for privilege. If you are willing to spend the money, then it is agreed upon by the employees and the customers that you move to the front of the line.

Therefore, everyone agrees on these symbols because they are pre-existing and formal. The park put them there to create an understanding that they are trying to help the customer move around the park quickly and easily so they will have the best time possible.

Page 20: SOCIOLOGY TERM PROJECT A Day at Six Flags: Great Adventure Amanda R. SOC 101 Dr. Durso-Finley 24 April 2007

How does the interpretation of symbols shape the way people interact with each other?

The interpretation of these symbols makes interactions easier. For example, the employees and customers can interact better because the workers wear uniforms so they are easily identifiable. Ride symbols allow employees to work together effectually, since after one person buckles in the passengers, they gesture to the other person that everyone is safe, so the other person is able to start the ride. Working this way allows the rides to be run faster and safer. Also, map symbols make decisions within a group easier, because one half can go on one ride, but if the other half doesn’t want to/can’t go on that same ride, they can find another ride nearby that suits them. Map symbols also make it easier for parents, since they can quickly find a bathroom on the map instead of aimlessly searching for one in the park. The symbols make a day in the park easier for all, as they are able to easily navigate, find help if needed and just have a good time.

Page 21: SOCIOLOGY TERM PROJECT A Day at Six Flags: Great Adventure Amanda R. SOC 101 Dr. Durso-Finley 24 April 2007

Are interactions changing on this issue?

I do not think interactions are changing within the park because these symbols are pretty ‘set in stone’ and have been around for a while. Customers go to the park with the anticipation of receiving a map and seeing people in uniforms, so they are used to/knowledgeable of the type of cooperative interaction they are most likely going to have.

Page 22: SOCIOLOGY TERM PROJECT A Day at Six Flags: Great Adventure Amanda R. SOC 101 Dr. Durso-Finley 24 April 2007

APPLICATION OF PERSPECTIVES:

using analysis in an interesting way

Page 23: SOCIOLOGY TERM PROJECT A Day at Six Flags: Great Adventure Amanda R. SOC 101 Dr. Durso-Finley 24 April 2007

Possible Improvements to Great Adventure

Idea #1:

Have activities for birthdays/other special events. To make the child feel special, they can wear a special birthday GA shirt (as a symbol that they are the ‘birthday boy/girl.’ To improve the structure of the party, the kids/people involved could participate and work together in a sort of scavenger hunt where they need to go on certain rides, find certain people, etc. to win a prize in the end.

Page 24: SOCIOLOGY TERM PROJECT A Day at Six Flags: Great Adventure Amanda R. SOC 101 Dr. Durso-Finley 24 April 2007

Improvements Cont.

Idea #2:Make the park more family fun. Great examples of this kind of atmosphere are the Disney parks, which put an emphasis on the family, and everyone having a magical time. GA can borrow some of the ideas, such as a family brunch, where children can meet different characters such as Bugs Bunny, Superman, etc. Also, families can enter to win a chance to be in a GA show or parade. This will strengthen the structure of the family since the different events would focus on the family as a whole, not just the individual.

Page 25: SOCIOLOGY TERM PROJECT A Day at Six Flags: Great Adventure Amanda R. SOC 101 Dr. Durso-Finley 24 April 2007

Improvements Cont.

Idea #3:

Give kids/disabled people special stamps based on their height/physical conditions. This would help the employees work better together as a unit, and improve the safety of the individuals. If a person with a heart condition gets a special stamp and say, for example, an employee who runs the Boardwalk games notices something is wrong, they can recognize the problem quicker, and thus call first aid to get the help needed

Page 26: SOCIOLOGY TERM PROJECT A Day at Six Flags: Great Adventure Amanda R. SOC 101 Dr. Durso-Finley 24 April 2007

THANK YOUand don’t forget, Six Flags: Great Adventure is now open!

The subject of this project is solely the Great Adventure Theme Park, therefore, aspects of the Safari and Hurricane Harbor were not included. I am in no way affiliated with Great Adventure or Warner Brothers.