Chapter 1 – An Invitation Chapter 1 – An Invitation to Sociologyto Sociology

Section 1 – The Sociological PerspectiveSection 1 – The Sociological Perspective

Section 2 – The Origins of SociologySection 2 – The Origins of Sociology

Section 3 – Theoretical PerspectivesSection 3 – Theoretical Perspectives

Section 1 – The Section 1 – The Sociological PerspectiveSociological Perspective

ObjectivesObjectives1- Students will be able to define sociology1- Students will be able to define sociology

2 – Students will describe two uses of the sociological 2 – Students will describe two uses of the sociological perspectiveperspective

3 – Distinguish sociology from other social sciences3 – Distinguish sociology from other social sciences

The Nature of SociologyThe Nature of Sociology

A A perspectiveperspective is a particular point of view is a particular point of view

We normally do not realize how much of We normally do not realize how much of our attitudes and beliefs are determined by our attitudes and beliefs are determined by our perspectives.our perspectives.

Sociology has its own perspective and to Sociology has its own perspective and to understand it you must understand what understand it you must understand what sociology is.sociology is.

What is sociology?What is sociology?

Scientific study of social structureScientific study of social structure

What is unique about sociology?What is unique about sociology?

The sociological perspective never The sociological perspective never focuses on the individualfocuses on the individual

Sociologists view people at the social or Sociologists view people at the social or group level.group level.

Sociologists focus on the patterns of Sociologists focus on the patterns of behavior shared my members of a group behavior shared my members of a group or a society.or a society.

The Social SciencesThe Social Sciences

Sociology -Sociology - Investigates human social behavior from a Investigates human social behavior from a

group rather than an individual perspective. It group rather than an individual perspective. It concentrates on patterns of social concentrates on patterns of social relationships, primarily in modern societies.relationships, primarily in modern societies.

Anthropology – Anthropology – Investigates the culture, the customary beliefs Investigates the culture, the customary beliefs

and material traits of groups. Concentrates on and material traits of groups. Concentrates on the study of preliterate societies (societies the study of preliterate societies (societies that do not use writing)that do not use writing)

The Social SciencesThe Social Sciences

Psychology – Psychology – Investigates human mental and emotional processes.Investigates human mental and emotional processes.

Economics – Economics – The study of the production, distribution and The study of the production, distribution and

consumption of goods and services.consumption of goods and services.

Political Science –Political Science – Investigates the organization, administration, history Investigates the organization, administration, history

and theory of government.and theory of government.

History – History – Examines past events in human societies.Examines past events in human societies.

The Importance of PatternsThe Importance of Patterns

Social StructureSocial Structure – the patterned – the patterned interaction of people in social interaction of people in social relationships.relationships.

Acquiring the Sociological Acquiring the Sociological ImaginationImagination

The sociological perspective enables us to The sociological perspective enables us to develop a sociological imagination.develop a sociological imagination.Knowing how social forces affect our lives Knowing how social forces affect our lives can prevent us from being prisoners of can prevent us from being prisoners of those forces.those forces. C. Wright Mills called this personal use of C. Wright Mills called this personal use of

sociology the sociological imagination – the sociology the sociological imagination – the ability of individuals to see the relationship ability of individuals to see the relationship between events in their personal lives and between events in their personal lives and events in their societyevents in their society

Section 2 – The Origins Section 2 – The Origins of Sociologyof Sociology

Objectives:Objectives:1 – Students will outline the 1 – Students will outline the

contributions of the major pioneers of contributions of the major pioneers of sociologysociology

European OriginsEuropean Origins

Sociology is a relatively new science.Sociology is a relatively new science.

Began in late 19Began in late 19thth century Europe. century Europe.

The social and economic effects of the The social and economic effects of the Industrial Revolution and French Industrial Revolution and French Revolution fascinated and troubled some Revolution fascinated and troubled some big thinkers of the time.big thinkers of the time.

What were Auguste Comte’s major What were Auguste Comte’s major ideas?ideas?

Frenchman who is recognized as the father of sociology.Frenchman who is recognized as the father of sociology.As an adult, his main concern was the improvement of As an adult, his main concern was the improvement of society.society.

If societies were to advance, he believed social behavior would If societies were to advance, he believed social behavior would have to be studied scientifically.have to be studied scientifically.

He coined the term He coined the term sociologysociology to describe this science. to describe this science.

Wanted to use scientific observation to study social Wanted to use scientific observation to study social behavior and called this behavior and called this positivismpositivism..

Meant that sociology should be a science based knowledge of Meant that sociology should be a science based knowledge of which can be positive, or for sure.which can be positive, or for sure.

Also distinguished between Also distinguished between social staticssocial statics, which is the , which is the study of social stability and order, and study of social stability and order, and social dynamicssocial dynamics, , which is the study of social change.which is the study of social change.

What were Harriet Martineau’s What were Harriet Martineau’s contributions?contributions?

An Englishwoman who was also important An Englishwoman who was also important to the founding of sociology.to the founding of sociology.

Best known for her translation of Comte’s Best known for her translation of Comte’s great book, great book, Positive PhilosophyPositive Philosophy..

Also made original contributions in the Also made original contributions in the areas of research methods, political areas of research methods, political economy, and feminist theory.economy, and feminist theory.

She was a pioneering feminist.She was a pioneering feminist.

Why did Herbert Spencer oppose Why did Herbert Spencer oppose social reform?social reform?

Was an Englishman whose career became a mixture of Was an Englishman whose career became a mixture of engineering, drafting, inventing, journalism and writing.engineering, drafting, inventing, journalism and writing.To explain social stability, he compared society to the To explain social stability, he compared society to the human body.human body.Also introduced a theory of social change called Also introduced a theory of social change called Social Social DarwinismDarwinism..

Based on Charles Darwins’ Theory of EvolutionBased on Charles Darwins’ Theory of Evolution Believed that evolutionary change led to progress if people did Believed that evolutionary change led to progress if people did

not interfere.not interfere. If left alone, natural selection would ensure the survival of the If left alone, natural selection would ensure the survival of the

fittest society.fittest society. On these grounds, he opposed social reform because it On these grounds, he opposed social reform because it

interfered with the selection process.interfered with the selection process.

Who was Karl Marx?Who was Karl Marx?A German scholar who did not consider himself a A German scholar who did not consider himself a sociologist, but his ideas have had a major effect on the sociologist, but his ideas have had a major effect on the field.field.Marx identified several social classes in 19Marx identified several social classes in 19thth century century industrial society.industrial society.

Among them were farmers, servants, factory workers, Among them were farmers, servants, factory workers, craftspeople, owners of small business and moneyed capitalists.craftspeople, owners of small business and moneyed capitalists.

He predicted that at some point all industrial societies He predicted that at some point all industrial societies would have only two social classes: would have only two social classes:

The bourgeoisie – are those who own the means of production. The bourgeoisie – are those who own the means of production. (aka capitalists)(aka capitalists)

The proletariat – work for the bourgeoisie and are paid just The proletariat – work for the bourgeoisie and are paid just enough to stay alive.enough to stay alive.

For Marx, the key to unfolding history was For Marx, the key to unfolding history was class conflictclass conflict – a clash between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat.– a clash between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat.

What were Emile Durkheim’s What were Emile Durkheim’s greatest contributions?greatest contributions?

Son of a French RabbiSon of a French RabbiAccording to Durkheim, society exists because of broad According to Durkheim, society exists because of broad consensus, or agreement, among members of a society.consensus, or agreement, among members of a society.In pre-industrial times, society was based on In pre-industrial times, society was based on mechanical solidaritymechanical solidarity – social dependency based on – social dependency based on widespread consensus of values and beliefs, enforced widespread consensus of values and beliefs, enforced conformity, and dependence on tradition and family.conformity, and dependence on tradition and family.Industrial societies are based on organic solidarity – Industrial societies are based on organic solidarity – social interdependency based on a high degree of social interdependency based on a high degree of specialization in roles.specialization in roles.He first introduced the use of statistical techniques in his He first introduced the use of statistical techniques in his groundbreaking research on suicide.groundbreaking research on suicide.

Who was Max Weber?Who was Max Weber?Son of a German lawyer and politician, mother was a devout Son of a German lawyer and politician, mother was a devout CalvinistCalvinistConflicting values of his parents led to his eventual mental Conflicting values of his parents led to his eventual mental breakdown.breakdown.Afterwards, as a University Professor, Weber wrote on a wide Afterwards, as a University Professor, Weber wrote on a wide variety of topics, including the nature of power, religions of the variety of topics, including the nature of power, religions of the world, social classes, and bureaucracies.world, social classes, and bureaucracies.Weber said human beings act on the basis of their own Weber said human beings act on the basis of their own understanding of a situation.understanding of a situation.Thus, sociologists must discover the personal meanings, Thus, sociologists must discover the personal meanings, values, beliefs and attitudes underlying human social behavior.values, beliefs and attitudes underlying human social behavior.Believed that understanding the personal intentions of people in Believed that understanding the personal intentions of people in groups can be best accomplished through the method of groups can be best accomplished through the method of verstehen- verstehen- understanding the social behavior of bothers by understanding the social behavior of bothers by putting yourself mentally in their places.putting yourself mentally in their places.Also identified Also identified rationalizationrationalization as a key as a key influence in the change influence in the change fromfrom pre-industrial to an industrial society by emphasizing pre-industrial to an industrial society by emphasizing knowledge, reason and planning.knowledge, reason and planning.

Why should we remember Jane Why should we remember Jane Adams?Adams?

The best known of the early women social The best known of the early women social reformers in the US.reformers in the US.

Addams focused on the problems caused Addams focused on the problems caused by the imbalance of power among the by the imbalance of power among the social classes.social classes.

Active in the woman suffrage and peace Active in the woman suffrage and peace movements.movements.

What were the contributions of What were the contributions of W.E.B. DuBois?W.E.B. DuBois?

An African American educator and social An African American educator and social activistactivist

Learned firsthand about racial segregation Learned firsthand about racial segregation and discrimination when he attended Fisk and discrimination when he attended Fisk University in Tennessee.University in Tennessee.

Also active in the Pan African movement.Also active in the Pan African movement.

Section 3 – Theoretical Section 3 – Theoretical PerspectivesPerspectives

Objective:Objective:

Identify the three major theoretical Identify the three major theoretical perspectives in sociology today.perspectives in sociology today.

What is theoretical perspective?What is theoretical perspective?

A theoretical perspective is a set of A theoretical perspective is a set of assumptions about an area of study.assumptions about an area of study. It is viewed as true by their supporters and It is viewed as true by their supporters and

helps organize their research.helps organize their research.

Sociology has three overarching Sociology has three overarching theoretical perspectives:theoretical perspectives: FunctionalismFunctionalism Conflict TheoryConflict Theory Symbolic InteractionismSymbolic Interactionism

FunctionalismFunctionalism

Emphasizes the contributions (functions) Emphasizes the contributions (functions) of each part of a societyof each part of a society Ex: family, economy, and religion are “parts” Ex: family, economy, and religion are “parts”

of a society.of a society. Family contributes to society by providing for Family contributes to society by providing for

the reproduction and care of its members.the reproduction and care of its members.

How does functionalism explain How does functionalism explain social change?social change?

Functionalists see the parts of a society as Functionalists see the parts of a society as an integrated who. an integrated who.

A change in one part of a society leads to A change in one part of a society leads to changes in other parts.changes in other parts.

Functionalism assumes that societies tend Functionalism assumes that societies tend to return to a state of stability after some to return to a state of stability after some upheaval has occurred.upheaval has occurred.

Do all functions have a positive Do all functions have a positive effect?effect?

A function is a contribution made by some part A function is a contribution made by some part of a societyof a societyAccording to Robert Merton, there are two kinds According to Robert Merton, there are two kinds of functions:of functions: Manifest functions are intended and recognizedManifest functions are intended and recognized Latent functions are unintended and unrecognizedLatent functions are unintended and unrecognized

Ex: a manifest function of school is to teach math skills, a Ex: a manifest function of school is to teach math skills, a latent function is to build close friendshipslatent function is to build close friendships

Not all elements in society make a positive Not all elements in society make a positive contribution.contribution. Elements that have negative consequences result in Elements that have negative consequences result in

dysfunctiondysfunction

Conflict Perspective:Conflict Perspective:

The conflict perspective emphasizes The conflict perspective emphasizes conflict, competition, change, and conflict, competition, change, and constraint within societyconstraint within society

What is the role of conflict and What is the role of conflict and constraint?constraint?

Focuses on disagreements among various groups in a Focuses on disagreements among various groups in a society or between societies.society or between societies.Groups and societies compete as they attempt to Groups and societies compete as they attempt to preserve and promote their own special values and preserve and promote their own special values and interests.interests.Supporters of this theory see social living as a contest.Supporters of this theory see social living as a contest. The central question is “Who gets what”The central question is “Who gets what” It is those with the most It is those with the most power power – the ability to – the ability to

control the behavior of others – who get the largest control the behavior of others – who get the largest share of whatever is considered valuable in societyshare of whatever is considered valuable in society

Those with the most power have the most wealth, Those with the most power have the most wealth, prestige and privileges.prestige and privileges.

How does the conflict perspective How does the conflict perspective explain social change?explain social change?

Many conflicting groups exist in society.Many conflicting groups exist in society.

As the balance of power among these As the balance of power among these groups shift, change occurs.groups shift, change occurs.

Which perspective is better?Which perspective is better?

There is no better theoretical perspective.There is no better theoretical perspective.

Each highlights certain areas of social lifeEach highlights certain areas of social life

The advantage of one are disadvantages The advantage of one are disadvantages to another.to another.

What is the significance of symbols What is the significance of symbols in symbolic interactionism?in symbolic interactionism?

A A symbolsymbol is something chosen to represent something is something chosen to represent something else.else.

It may be an object, word, a gesture, a facial expression, or a It may be an object, word, a gesture, a facial expression, or a sound.sound.

The meaning of a symbol is not determined by its own The meaning of a symbol is not determined by its own physical characteristics. Those who create and use the physical characteristics. Those who create and use the symbols assign the meanings to them.symbols assign the meanings to them.If people in a group do not share the same meanings If people in a group do not share the same meanings then confusion happens.then confusion happens.The importance of shared symbols is reflected in the The importance of shared symbols is reflected in the formal definition of symbolic interactionism – the formal definition of symbolic interactionism – the theoretical perspective that focuses on interaction theoretical perspective that focuses on interaction among people.among people.

What are the basic assumptions of What are the basic assumptions of symbolic interactionism?symbolic interactionism?

Herbert Bloomer coined the term symbolic Herbert Bloomer coined the term symbolic interactionsim.interactionsim.Outlined three assumptions to his perspectiveOutlined three assumptions to his perspective First, according to this theory, we learn the meaning First, according to this theory, we learn the meaning

of a symbol from the way we see others reacting to it.of a symbol from the way we see others reacting to it. Second, once we learn the meanings of symbols, we Second, once we learn the meanings of symbols, we

base our behavior on thembase our behavior on them Third, we use the meanings of symbols to imagine Third, we use the meanings of symbols to imagine

how others will respond to our behavior.how others will respond to our behavior.

Erving Goffman introduced dramaturgy which Erving Goffman introduced dramaturgy which depicts human interaction as theatrical depicts human interaction as theatrical performance.performance.