Chapter 1

Developing a Sociological Perspective

Chapter Outline What is Sociology? The Sociological Imagination The Significance of Diversity The Development of Sociology Theoretical Frameworks in Sociology

What Is Sociology? The study of human behavior in society. A scientific way to think about society and

its influence on humans. Includes the study of social behavior and

social change.

Question What do the following people have in common?

Dan Akroyd (actor; comedian) Debra Winger (actress) Saul Bellow (novelist; Nobel Prize recipient) Joe Theissman (NFL quarterback) Rev. Jesse Jackson Robin Williams (comedian; actor) Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. Ronald Reagan

Answer They were all sociology majors.

Disciplines of Sociology Psychology analyzes human

behavior. Anthropology is the study of human

cultures. Political Science is the study of

politics.

Disciplines of Sociology Economics studies the production,

distribution and consumption of goods and services.

Social Work uses the social sciences to serve people in need.

The Sociological Imagination Ability to see societal patterns that

influence life. C. Wright Mills wrote about

sociological perspective in The Sociological Imagination.

Sociology can reveal how society shapes our lives.

Troubles and Issues Troubles are private problems in an

individual’s life. Issues affect large numbers of people Issues shape the context within which

troubles arise.

Debunking Studying the patterns and processes that

shape behavior. Questioning actions and ideas that are

usually taken for granted. Acting as “an outsider within.”

Understanding Diversity Understanding diversity is critical to

understanding society because patterns of social change and social structure are influenced by diverse group experiences.

Diversity includes: the shaping of social institutions by different

social factors the formation of group and individual identity the process of social change

Share of Minorities in the U.S. Population

America’s Diversity: % White

America’s Diversity:% African American

America’s Diversity:% Hispanic

America’s Diversity:% Asian American

America’s Diversity:% American Indian

Sociology and the Enlightenment Faith in the ability of human reason to

solve society’s problems. Belief that natural laws and processes in

society are used for the general good.

Influence of the Enlightenment Positivists - society could be studied

using the natural sciences. Humanitarianism - human reason can

direct social change for the betterment of society.

Sociology in Europe: Comte French philosopher Coined the term sociology Believed sociology could discover laws of

human social behavior and help solve society’s problems

Sociology in Europe: Tocqueville French citizen who traveled to the United

States 1831 Wrote an analysis of U.S. democratic

culture and society. In the United States the tyranny of kings

was replaced by the “tyranny of the majority.”

Sociology in Europe: Martineau British citizen who toured the United

States in 1834. Wrote Society in America, an analysis of

social customs she observed. Wrote first sociological methods book on

participant observation.

Classical SociologicalTheory: Durkheim Viewed society as an entity larger than

the sum of its parts. Conceptualized social facts as social

patterns external to individuals. Discovered the social basis of human

behavior.

Classical SociologicalTheory: Marx Work was devoted to explaining how

capitalism shaped society. Profit is produced through the exploitation

of the working class. Considered the economic organization of

society the most important influence on what humans think and how they behave.

Classical SociologicalTheory: Weber Theorized that society had three

dimensions: political, economic,and cultural.

Believed that to understand social behavior one had to understand the meaning that a behavior had for social actors.

Sociology in America American sociologists believed sociology

could help solve social problems. The Chicago School - concerned with the

relationship of individual to society and society as a human laboratory.

Key Sociological Concepts Social structure

Organized pattern of social relationships and institutions that together constitute society

Social institutionsEstablished and organized systems of social behavior with a recognized purpose.

Key Sociological Concepts Social change

The alteration of society over time.

Social interactionA behavior between two or more people that is given meaning.

Sociological Theory: Individual and Society

FunctionalismIndividuals occupy fixed social

roles.

Conflict TheoryIndividuals subordinated to

society.

Symbolic Interaction

Individual and society are interdependent.

Sociological Theory: View of Inequality

FunctionalismInevitable; functional for

society

Conflict TheoryResult of struggle over scarce

resources.

Symbolic Interaction

Inequality demonstrated through meaning of status

symbols.

Sociological Theory: Basis of Social Order

FunctionalismConsensus on common

values.

Conflict Theory Power; coercion

Symbolic Interaction

Collective meaning systems; society created through social

interaction

Sociological Theory: Source of Social Change

FunctionalismDisorganization and

adjustment to achieve equilibrium.

Conflict Theory Struggle; competition

Symbolic Interaction

Ever-changing web of relationships and meaning of

things.

Sociological Theory: Criticisms

Functionalism A conservative view of society that underplays power differences among and between groups.

Conflict Theory Understates the degree of cohesion and stability in society.

Symbolic Interaction

There is little analysis of inequality and it overstates the subjective basis of society.

Polling Question Which sociological perspective do you

think is generally the weakest in explaining things in our society?

A.) Functionalist

B.) Conflict Theory

C.) Symbolic interaction

Polling Question Which sociological perspective do you

think explains the concept of inequality in our society the most accurately?

A.) Functionalist

B.) Conflict Theory

C.) Symbolic interaction

Quick Quiz

1. Sociology is the study of:

a. personality types

b. political philosophy

c. human behavior

d. the distribution of goods and services

Answer: c Sociology is the study of human

behavior.

2. The ability to see the societal patterns that influence individual and group life is referred to as:

a. commonsense

b. social speedup

c. Wright's Theorem

d. the sociological imagination

Answer: d The ability to see the societal patterns

that influence individual and group life is referred to as the sociological imagination.

3. The sociologist that first coined the term sociology is:

a. Auguste Comte

b. Emile Durkheim

c. Karl Marx

d. Harriet Martineau

Answer: a The sociologist that first coined the term

sociology is Auguste Comte.

4. According to Karl Marx, the most important influence on what humans think and how they behave is:

a. the socio-emotional organization of society

b. the economic organization of society

c. the political organization of society

d. the religious organization of society

Answer : b According to Karl Marx, the most

important influence on what humans think and how they behave is the economic organization of society.

5. Symbolic interactionism emphasizes:

a. the role of coercion and power

b. class struggles

c. face-to-face contact

d. the interdependent parts of society

Answer: c Symbolic interactionism emphasizes

face-to-face contact.