soc pov ch 1 a

SociologySociology

Chapter 1:The Sociological Point of ViewChapter 1:The Sociological Point of View

SociologySociology

““In a commonsense sort of way every normal In a commonsense sort of way every normal human being is a social scientist”human being is a social scientist”

- Rodney Stark, Ph.D. Sociology- Rodney Stark, Ph.D. Sociology

SociologySociology

We are all “social We are all “social scientists” in that we must scientists” in that we must develop an ability to develop an ability to understand and predict understand and predict human behavior in order to human behavior in order to maintain “normal” maintain “normal” relationshipsrelationships……

Consider what it means to Consider what it means to describe someone as being describe someone as being “socially awkward” or worse “socially awkward” or worse still “sociopathic”still “sociopathic”

Sociology Sociology Of course the ability to Of course the ability to

predict the behavior of predict the behavior of people we know does people we know does NOTNOT make us all make us all sociologists sociologists by strict by strict definition…definition…

In fact most people don’t In fact most people don’t know…know…

……What Sociology is?What Sociology is? ……What sociologists study?What sociologists study? ……What the &$#%!! the What the &$#%!! the

ssociological imagination is?ociological imagination is?

SociologySociology The text defines The text defines SociologySociology as: as: the social science that the social science that

studies human society and social behavior!studies human society and social behavior! The definition your syllabus while similar is even The definition your syllabus while similar is even

shorter…shorter…– Sociology is the Sociology is the SCIENTIFIC SCIENTIFIC study of human study of human

SOCIAL behavior!SOCIAL behavior!

Sociology is founded on the premise that (we) Sociology is founded on the premise that (we) humans ARE humans ARE first and foremostfirst and foremost SOCIAL BEINGS! SOCIAL BEINGS!

Sociologists argue that our humanity arises out our Sociologists argue that our humanity arises out our

social relationships with others…social relationships with others…

SociologySociology The subject of Sociology is The subject of Sociology is

– THE GROUP!THE GROUP! Most sociologists define a group as Most sociologists define a group as two two

(or three) or more people who maintain a (or three) or more people who maintain a stable pattern of interactions and share a stable pattern of interactions and share a common identity.common identity.

Sociologists further define groups as Sociologists further define groups as either:either:

– Primary: close, stable, intimate Primary: close, stable, intimate attachmentsattachments

– Secondary: united by common Secondary: united by common interests, change frequently, interests, change frequently, limited attachmentslimited attachments

Sociologists use the term aggregate to Sociologists use the term aggregate to describe an “unrelated” crowd or describe an “unrelated” crowd or collection of individualscollection of individuals

The Sociological PerspectiveThe Sociological Perspective

Your are encouraged to develop a Soc POV Your are encouraged to develop a Soc POV so you can:so you can:

See the hidden meaning behind human actions See the hidden meaning behind human actions using your using your Sociological ImaginationSociological Imagination

Broaden your view of the worldBroaden your view of the world Establish a balance between personal desires and Establish a balance between personal desires and

the good of the communitythe good of the community


The sociological perspective asserts that The sociological perspective asserts that humans humans areare fundamentally fundamentally social beings!social beings!

Ok, OK sounds simple – easy enough so far - but Ok, OK sounds simple – easy enough so far - but ask yourself why? What makes us unique? Social ask yourself why? What makes us unique? Social Interaction allowed us to develop civilization but Interaction allowed us to develop civilization but ask yourself what is it about human beings that ask yourself what is it about human beings that sets us apart from all other creatures?sets us apart from all other creatures?


Humans develop or mature slowlyHumans develop or mature slowly in comparison to in comparison to many other creatures many other creatures and require extensive parenting and require extensive parenting and social interaction in order to survive.and social interaction in order to survive.

Civilization is far too complex to pass on through Civilization is far too complex to pass on through inherited traits (instincts) but we inherited traits (instincts) but we humans have created humans have created culture that is in fact shared and transmitted through culture that is in fact shared and transmitted through common languagecommon language instead. instead.

Humans have the ability to anticipate responses to our Humans have the ability to anticipate responses to our actions and this allows us to form actions and this allows us to form stablestable relationships! relationships!

The Sociological PerspectiveThe Sociological Perspective Free will has been Free will has been

debated for centuries by debated for centuries by theologians and theologians and philosophers. Some philosophers. Some people argue that human people argue that human actions are predetermined actions are predetermined - others believe in free will. - others believe in free will. What do you think?What do you think?

If you believe in free will If you believe in free will however how in the world however how in the world can we anticipate or can we anticipate or predict the behavior of predict the behavior of others??? others???


Most sociologists assert that human beings do Most sociologists assert that human beings do indeed have free will…indeed have free will…

……but also argue that but also argue that rational rational human beings, human beings, when when possiblepossible, will , will make choices that are most make choices that are most rewarding rewarding to themselvesto themselves!!

The ability to predict human behavior rests on the The ability to predict human behavior rests on the assumption that assumption that people will act in self interest people will act in self interest whenever possible!whenever possible!

The Sociological ImaginationThe Sociological Imagination

In 1959 an American Sociologist named In 1959 an American Sociologist named C. Wright Mills coined the term C. Wright Mills coined the term Sociological Sociological ImaginationImagination to describe what he saw as an to describe what he saw as an ability to connect social forces and individual ability to connect social forces and individual behavior!behavior!

Sociologists maintain behavior is shaped or Sociologists maintain behavior is shaped or influenced by “social structures” that possess influenced by “social structures” that possess tremendous power to influence individual actions and tremendous power to influence individual actions and choices! choices!

Sociology’s place in the Social SciencesSociology’s place in the Social Sciences

In order to have a place In order to have a place among the sciences among the sciences Sociologists must employ Sociologists must employ the the Scientific Method Scientific Method in in their subject of study…their subject of study…

The scientific method The scientific method consists of four partsconsists of four parts– 1)Observation1)Observation– 2)Hypothesis2)Hypothesis– 3)Experimentation/Research3)Experimentation/Research– 4)Conclusion/Theory4)Conclusion/Theory

(note: these “steps” may be (note: these “steps” may be placed in any order)placed in any order)


Social PhenomenaSocial Phenomena or or Social FactsSocial Facts are are proportional facts that accurately describe groups proportional facts that accurately describe groups rather than given individuals!rather than given individuals!

Applying the scientific method to the study of Applying the scientific method to the study of human behavior becomes possible once social human behavior becomes possible once social facts are discovered!facts are discovered!

The discovery of social facts changes the The discovery of social facts changes the social sciences forever!social sciences forever!


Sociology is one of several related disciplines that are Sociology is one of several related disciplines that are collectively known as the social sciences.collectively known as the social sciences.

The are six other major social sciences: Anthropology, The are six other major social sciences: Anthropology, Economics, Geography, History, Political Science, and Economics, Geography, History, Political Science, and Psychology…Psychology…

While the social studies share a common subject While the social studies share a common subject – human beings – each may be distinguished by a – human beings – each may be distinguished by a unique focus on a particular aspect of human behavior! unique focus on a particular aspect of human behavior!

The Social SciencesThe Social Sciences Anthropology studies prehistoric or pre-Anthropology studies prehistoric or pre-

industrial man.industrial man. Economics examines how people Economics examines how people

allocate scarce resources.allocate scarce resources. Geography focuses on the way humans Geography focuses on the way humans

interact with their physical environment.interact with their physical environment. History is an exploration of humanities History is an exploration of humanities

past.past. Political Science studies the ways Political Science studies the ways

humans govern themselves.humans govern themselves. Psychology is primarily concerned with Psychology is primarily concerned with

the human mental processes and the human mental processes and emotions. Psychology typically focuses emotions. Psychology typically focuses on the internal motivations for behavior on the internal motivations for behavior of the individual.of the individual.

Most social scientists count History as Most social scientists count History as the “oldest” and Sociology is generally the “oldest” and Sociology is generally considered the “youngest” in this family! considered the “youngest” in this family!

The Social SciencesThe Social Sciences

History of SociologyHistory of Sociology

History of SociologyHistory of Sociology C.W. Mills is credited with defining the sociological C.W. Mills is credited with defining the sociological

imagination in 1959 but social philosophers have been imagination in 1959 but social philosophers have been examining the relationship between society and examining the relationship between society and human behavior since the earliest days of civilization!human behavior since the earliest days of civilization!

The “history” of Sociology, however, doesn’t begin The “history” of Sociology, however, doesn’t begin with the Sumerians or the Egyptians – or even the with the Sumerians or the Egyptians – or even the Greeks…Greeks…

Sociology, is in fact , a relatively new science… and it Sociology, is in fact , a relatively new science… and it was born… in France!was born… in France!

History of SociologyHistory of Sociology In 1838In 1838 A French nobleman, A French nobleman,

August Comte predicted a August Comte predicted a science he called “Sociology”science he called “Sociology” would one day guide would one day guide civilization to an orderly, civilization to an orderly, progressive, utopian future. progressive, utopian future.

Comte, while credited with Comte, while credited with being the first to use the word being the first to use the word sociologysociology in his writings - in his writings -never referred to himself as never referred to himself as a sociologist…a sociologist…

……so Comte is instead so Comte is instead considered as an important considered as an important social philosopher by most social philosopher by most modern sociologists…modern sociologists…

History of SociologyHistory of Sociology Herbert Spencer (1820 -1903) is an Herbert Spencer (1820 -1903) is an

important British social philosopher important British social philosopher (like Comte) who was influenced by (like Comte) who was influenced by the work of Charles Darwin. Spencer the work of Charles Darwin. Spencer advocated a biological model of advocated a biological model of society and his ideas served as society and his ideas served as foundation for theories of foundation for theories of functionalism and social evolution.functionalism and social evolution.

Spencer coined the phrase “survival Spencer coined the phrase “survival of the fittest” of the fittest” NOTNOT Darwin! Darwin! Spencer Spencer argued that the strongest, “most fit” argued that the strongest, “most fit” societies would survive! Social unrest societies would survive! Social unrest is “natural” and necessary for social is “natural” and necessary for social evolution!evolution!

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/98/Spencer1.jpg

History of SociologyHistory of Sociology Sociology as a science emerges Sociology as a science emerges

from the flames of revolution – from the flames of revolution – the the Scientific, Political Revolutions of Scientific, Political Revolutions of the 18the 18thth century and the Industrial century and the Industrial Revolution that achieves full Revolution that achieves full steam in the 19steam in the 19thth century - century - provide the sparks necessary to provide the sparks necessary to give rise to “a science of society.”give rise to “a science of society.”

During the Industrial Revolution During the Industrial Revolution millions of Europeans move from millions of Europeans move from farms to the city and the economy farms to the city and the economy of western Europe began to shift of western Europe began to shift an from agricultural base to an an from agricultural base to an industrial one. industrial one.

History of SociologyHistory of Sociology European governments began to keep records (known as European governments began to keep records (known as

moral statisticsmoral statistics in France) to help guide policy during this in France) to help guide policy during this period of rapid social and economic change.period of rapid social and economic change.

These These “moral statistics”“moral statistics” were collected by region and were collected by region and included population, births (legit or illegitimate), cause of included population, births (legit or illegitimate), cause of death, gender, marriage status, literacy rates, criminal death, gender, marriage status, literacy rates, criminal history, agehistory, age and more… and more…

French moral statistics were compiled for years andFrench moral statistics were compiled for years and published in published in the Comptethe Compte and eventually made the science and eventually made the science of Sociology possible by providing a collection of of Sociology possible by providing a collection of Social Social FactsFacts – – just the data just the data needed to conduct the scientific needed to conduct the scientific method!method!


As you recall, social phenomena or As you recall, social phenomena or social facts are proportional facts that social facts are proportional facts that describe groups rather than given describe groups rather than given individuals!individuals!

Applying the scientific method to the study Applying the scientific method to the study of human behavior becomes possible once of human behavior becomes possible once social facts are discovered!social facts are discovered!


1897 a Frenchman named 1897 a Frenchman named Emile Durkheim published Emile Durkheim published Suicide.Suicide. DurkheimDurkheim analyzes analyzes social facts (statistics) using social facts (statistics) using the scientific method in a the scientific method in a groundbreaking book on the groundbreaking book on the SOCIALSOCIAL causes of suicide! causes of suicide!

Durkheim is the first to refer Durkheim is the first to refer to himself a to himself a SOCIOLOGIST, SOCIOLOGIST, taught Sociology at a taught Sociology at a French university,French university, and is and is widely regarded as the widely regarded as the Father of Sociology! Father of Sociology!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Emile_Durkheim.jpg

SociologySociology There are three giants in There are three giants in

SociologySociology!!

– Emile Durkheim (1858 – 1917) Emile Durkheim (1858 – 1917) known as the “Father of Sociology”known as the “Father of Sociology”

– Karl Marx (1818 – 1883) a self Karl Marx (1818 – 1883) a self described German “Historian” and a described German “Historian” and a trained Economist who saw history in trained Economist who saw history in terms of class struggleterms of class struggle

– Max Weber (1864 – 1920) also a Max Weber (1864 – 1920) also a German, narrowed the focus of German, narrowed the focus of Sociology by concentrating on ways Sociology by concentrating on ways in which society influenced - and in which society influenced - and was influenced by - small groups. was influenced by - small groups.

Sociological ApproachesSociological Approaches Sociology is divided into two Sociology is divided into two

approaches:approaches: 1) Micro sociology – is an 1) Micro sociology – is an

examination of small group examination of small group interaction and the way interaction and the way social forces shape social forces shape behavior of individualsbehavior of individuals

2) Macro sociology – is 2) Macro sociology – is concerned with the study of concerned with the study of large groups with emphasis large groups with emphasis on developing global on developing global theories that may be theories that may be applied to all.applied to all.

Sociological ApproachesSociological Approaches

Micro sociologistsMicro sociologists– explore influences of social explore influences of social

forces on choices and forces on choices and behaviors…behaviors…

– focuses on primary group focuses on primary group interactionsinteractions

– studies sources of small studies sources of small group conflict and solidaritygroup conflict and solidarity

– theories incl. symbolic theories incl. symbolic interaction, exchange interaction, exchange theory, social creation of self theory, social creation of self and mindand mind

Macro sociologistsMacro sociologists– Seek wide ranging Seek wide ranging

comparisons of - and comparisons of - and explanations for - social explanations for - social conditionsconditions

– focus on relationships b/w focus on relationships b/w social structures (i.e. and social structures (i.e. and societysociety

– Seeks causes of wars, Seeks causes of wars, ethnic conflicts or ethnic conflicts or nationalism and ethnic nationalism and ethnic solidaritysolidarity

– theories incl. functionalism, theories incl. functionalism, conflict theory, social conflict theory, social evolution, evolution,

ConflictTheory(Macro)

Interactionism(Micro)

Functionalism(Macro)

Sociological Theories

Sociological TheoriesSociological Theories

Functionalism: theoretical Functionalism: theoretical perspective that views society as a perspective that views society as a set of interrelated parts that work set of interrelated parts that work together to produce a stable social together to produce a stable social system. Focus: Social Structuressystem. Focus: Social Structures

Conflict Theory: theoretical Conflict Theory: theoretical perspective that focuses on those perspective that focuses on those forces in society that promote forces in society that promote competition and change. competition and change. Focus: Class Conflict, Power Focus: Class Conflict, Power

Interactionism: theoretical Interactionism: theoretical perspective that focuses on how perspective that focuses on how individuals and small groups individuals and small groups interact with one another in society. interact with one another in society. Focus: Social construction of Focus: Social construction of self and mind, Symbolic Interaction self and mind, Symbolic Interaction

The Social SciencesThe Social Sciences

Sociological ApproachesSociological Approaches

Micro sociologistsMicro sociologists– explore influences of explore influences of

social forces on choices social forces on choices and behaviors…and behaviors…

– focuses on primary focuses on primary group interactionsgroup interactions

– studies sources of studies sources of small group conflict small group conflict and solidarityand solidarity

– theories incl. symbolic theories incl. symbolic interaction, exchange interaction, exchange theory, social creation theory, social creation of self and mindof self and mind

Macro sociologistsMacro sociologists– Seek wide ranging Seek wide ranging

comparisons of - and comparisons of - and explanations for - social explanations for - social conditionsconditions

– focus on relationships focus on relationships b/w social structures (i.e. b/w social structures (i.e. and societyand society

– Seeks causes of wars, Seeks causes of wars, ethnic conflicts or ethnic conflicts or nationalism and ethnic nationalism and ethnic solidaritysolidarity

– theories incl. theories incl. functionalism, conflict functionalism, conflict theory, social evolution, theory, social evolution,

Sociological Theories

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