Read the chapter and watch the video:
McDonaldization
Everything today is fast. People think fast, speak fast, walk fast, write fast and eat fast. The speed of communication is rapid and getting more so with every breath that we take. Fast food has become such an integral part of the busy American lifestyle that there are more than 300,000 restaurants offering it throughout the United States today. It’s convenient, predictable and, surprise, fast.
In every meal at McDonalds, uniformity is paramount and the burgers are created using an assembly line technique. The objectives are simple: consistency plus speed, plus convenience, plus most popular sales items equal significantly increased profits.
George Ritzer has coined a term now popular in sociology: McDonaldization. He has applied Weber’s ideas on rationality to the fast food industry.
He explains how some of the core organizational principles of the fast-food industry are coming to dominate all of social life. These principles include:
Predictability
Efficiency
Control
Calculability
“We were taken to a fast food café where our order was fed into a computer. Our hamburger, made from the flesh of chemically impregnated cattle, had been broiled over counterfeit charcoal, placed between slices of artificially flavored cardboard and served to us by recycled juvenile delinquents. “ – Jean Michel Chapereau, author
DISCUSSION:
Go into a McDonald’s (using the drive thru is not as effective) OR any other chain fast food restaurant. Order the food and beverage of your choice-you can even order off of the dollar menu if you wish. Discuss your experience there using the McDonaldization theory. You must define, discuss, and cite each of the four McDonalidization principles (predictability, efficiency, control, and calculability) and then relate those principles to your experience.
FOLLOW THE DISCUSSION FORUM EXPECTATIONS
Quality/Critical Thinking-Initial posts must clearly relate to the topic and add new ideas and/or information. Posts must demonstrate a careful thought process and supporting evidence. You should include several supporting details and/or conclusions. You may include opinions, if the opinions are constructive and supported. (6 points)
Professional Language-Both professional vocabulary and writing style must be used consistently in all postings. If you need assistance with college-level grammar/writing style, contact the tutoring center. (2 points)
References-Information is discussed, defined and cited from the text. Citations must include section numbers from the e-book. For example, “I understand that as a human services professional, I will be held to a high standards of ethics. Situations will occur that may present ethical dilemmas for me. According to the textbook, ethical behavior includes autonomy, no maleficence, beneficence, justice, fidelity, and veracity.” (McClam, p. 81 OR McClam4-2) Additional sources may be used and cited, if you so choose, but these are in addition to the text. (2 points)
Replies-Respond to the initial posts of 2 different classmates. You must find a classmate who has not received a reply for at least 1 of your replies! This will ensure that each student will have at least 1 reply.
Replies must address each recipient by name. This way I will know who you are having a discussion with so that I may follow along. (1 point each)
Replies must discuss what you agreed with or did not agree with in the recipient’s post and why. (4 points each)
