Introduction to Sociology
What is Sociology?Connections to Social WorkBasic Insight of Sociology
What is a Sociologist?Natural Curiosity (focus on the toosacred, too repulsive, too boring) and The Social Organization of Man
Sociology like a Passion than a Pastime
Introduction to Sociology
What is the sociological perspective?Personal Experience:
1. No understanding of other cultures.
2. Sweeping Conclusions.3. Errors in Understanding.
Leon Festinger’s Need to Know Fritz Heider’s Naïve Psychology
Introduction to Sociology
Perspective:1. Removes us from familiar experiences2. Critically and objectively examine phenomenon3. Conscious effort to question the obvious
Social Science vs. Natural Sciences
Introduction to Sociology
Difference Between Social Problems and Sociological Ones
First Mission of Sociology: much of what may initially appear to be one way may not be that way at all in practice.
Origins of SociologyAuguste Comte
Social Statics and Social Dynamics
Introduction to Sociology
Herbert SpencerSocial DarwinismSurvival of the fittest
Karl MarxOptimistic view of Man
2 Classes: Elite and Proletariat Means of production: False Consciousness,
Class Consciousness
Introduction to Sociology
Work is not rewarding in any form.Economic Determinism
Emile DurkheimSocial FactsCollective Conscience
Max WeberThe Protestant Ethic and Spirit of
CaptialismRationalization of Social RelationsVerstehen
Introduction to Sociology
Charles Cooley and George H. MeadSelf and symbolic interactionism
Theoretical Perspectives in SociologyStructural FunctionalismConflict PerspectiveSymbolic Interactionism
Dramaturgical SociologyEthnomethodology
Research Methods
Methods of “Knowing”LogicCommon AgreementDirect Personal Observation
Things That Inhibit the Research Process
TraditionInaccurate Observation
Research Methods
OvergeneralizationSelective Observation
Terms in ResearchAttributeVariableParsimoniouslyIndependent, Dependent VariablesExogenous and Intervening Variables
Research Methods
Goals of ResearchExplorationDescriptiveAnalysis
Types of Research DesignExperimentsSurveysField Research
Research Methods
Types of Field ResearchParticipant ObserverParticipant as ObserverObserver as ParticipantComplete Observer
Ethical Issues in Field Research
Culture
Culture Shock Ethnocentrism Cultural Relativity Components of Culture
Nonmaterial Culture=Symbolic CultureGestures
Culture
Language—words are symbolsHow it allows culture to exist:
1. Allows experiences to be cumulative
2. Provides a shared past and future
3. Allows shared understandings
Groups
Social Organization Social Positions: Status and Role Ascribed and Achieved Statuses Status Symbols Master Status Problems with Statuses and Roles
Role Strain/Role Conflict
Groups
Types of GroupsPrimary/SecondaryDyads/Triads
CommunitiesTerritorial
Non-Territorial
Reference Groups
Groups
Interaction in GroupsHobbs—War of all against all.
Principles of InteractionPleasure Rationality, Reciprocity,
Fairness Principles Influence of Groups on Behavior/Group
ConformityTrivial: Asch, SherifModerate: Newcomb and LibermannSerious: Zimbardo and Milgram
Groups
Altruism and the Bystander Effect Formal Organizations and Bureaucracies
History of Bureaucracies—Feudal System
Paternalistic OrganizationsLoss of controlPoor communicationHistory of decision making
o Questions of Efficiency and Effectiveness:Compared to What?
Groups
Parkinson’s Laws #1 and #2 Finding Responsible Decision Makers Trained Incapacity/Ritualism Organizational Survival
Socialization
Feral childrenIsabelle in 1938 in Ohio
So what’s the key to this change in behavior? Language…and stimulating interaction
Orphanages, Skeel and Dye’s study. Main Finding? Those assigned to the challenged women gained 28 IQ points, control group lost 30 IQ points.
So how do we become human?
Socialization
Mead and Cooley1. We imagine how we appear to those around us.2. We interpret others’ reactions3. We develop a self-concept.
Connections to self-esteem, esp. among women in our society
Socialization
Mead:Role Taking: The Significant Other and the Generalized Other
Play, Game, Generalized Other Stages of Self
Agents of SocializationFamily, Peers, Schools, Media
Resocialization
Deviance and Social Control
Deviance Defined Theories of Deviance
Individual/BiologicalSocial Structural
Miller’s Focal ConcernsMerton’s Theory of Anomie
Deviance and Social Control
Social ProcessSutherland’s Differential Association
Labeling TheoryProcess of Labeling
Act (Primary Deviance), Status Degradation Ceremony, Label (Master Status) Retrospective Interpretation, Internalization (Secondary Deviance), Deviant Subculture/Career
Can Label be Removed?