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SociologyChapter 1
The Sociological Point of View
Section 1: Examining Social Life
Section 2: Sociology: Then and Now
What is
Sociology?
the social science
that studies human
society & social
behavior
Social Sciences? Study the "humanistic" aspects of the world,
while placing an emphasis on experimentation
and using the scientific method
Subjects: anthropology, linguistics and
education, political science, archaeology,
criminology, economics, history, communication
studies, international relations, human
geography and psychology
Other fields, such as law, cross-cultural studies,
environmental studies & social work
Comparing Sociology to
Other Social Sciences
SIMILARITIES:
Sociology
examines the
relations between
society & culture -
the individual
economics, politics,
& past events, which
are all the focus of
one or more of the
social sciences
DIFFERENCES:
Sociology is
mainly interested
in social
interaction
tend to focus on
the group rather
than on the
individual
Sociologists study all aspects and levels
of society.
A society is a group of people whose
members
interact,
reside in a definable area
share a culture
Help you better
understand yourself
& the world around
you
Look at social life in
a scientific way
rather than rely on
“common-sense”
explanations
Social Interaction how people relate to & influence each other
Often looked at through a group perspective,
rather than the individual
While observing these groups, sociologists
notice social phenomena - facts &
events that involve human society
Sociological Perspective
Behavior is learned from others
Behavior is influenced by social factors
Balance is needed between personal
desires and the demands of immediate
environment
helps us understand the hidden meanings
behind human actions
1. Helps us assess the truth of common sense
2. Helps us assess both opportunities and
constraints in our lives
3. Helps us live in a diverse world
4. Empowers us to be active participants in
our society
Sociological Imagination(C. Wright Mills, 1959)
The ability to see the
connection between the
larger world and your
personal life
Provides insight into how
your social environment
shapes you and vice versa
Transforms personal
problems into public issues
Understanding
Sociological Imagination
Consider the following issues in terms of the
sociological imagination:
Drinking & driving
Speed limits
No smoking laws
Now, think of 1-2 examples of your own
The Origins of Sociology
Rapid social & political changes that took
place in Europe due to Industrial Revolution
Rapid growth of urban populations
produced a multitude of social problems
Over time, it became more difficult to
ignore the effect of society on the individual
Sweeping political, economic & social
changes caused some scholars to question
the traditional explanations of life & they
attempted to prove their beliefs using a
variety of methods14
Early Sociologists
Comte
Spencer
Marx
Durkheim
Weber
Fathers
of
Sociology
founder
Social Darwinism
Theory & Perspective
Theory: a statement that attempts
to explain how and why facts are
related
Explains social behavior in the real
world
Theoretical Perspective: a set of
fundamental assumptions that
guide thinking (a viewpoint)
Auguste Comte(France, 1798-1857)(Functionalist Perspective)
Founder of Sociology as a distinct subject (coined the term sociology)
Theories focused on the social order & social change due to the French Revolution
Social Statics – how a society is held together
Social Dynamics – how a society changes
Karl Marx(Germany, 1818-1883)(influenced development of Conflict Theory)
Focused on the role of social class in
inequality and social conflict
Theory - Society is separated into two
classes
Capitalists ( fortunate, privileges, $$$)
Workers ( fortunate, privileges, $$$)
Workers will revolt, overthrow &
implement a classless society in which all
the parts worked for the whole
Herbert Spencer(England, 1820-1903)(Social Darwinism; Functionalist Perspective)
Strongly influenced by Charles Darwin
Theory - Society is like the human body
Society is a set of interdependent parts that work together to maintain the system over time
Social change & unrest are natural occurrences allowing society to evolve towards stability & perfection
Leave societal ills alone, allowing the “fittest societies to survive”
Emile Durkheim(France, 1858-1917)(Functionalist Perspective)
Focused on the function of religion in maintaining order
Theory -shared beliefs & values are the glue holding a society together
Thought sociologists should only study what can be directly observed (naked eye)
Conducted the first true sociological study - Suicide, 1897
Max Weber(Germany, 1864-1920)(Interactionist Perspective)
Focused on separate groups within society
Theory - sociologists should attempt to
uncover feelings & thoughts of individuals
Verstehen – understand the meanings
individuals attach to their actions; “Walk a
mile in my shoes”
Led sociologists to focus more on the effect
society has on the individual
Three Current Sociological
Perspectives
Functionalist
Conflict Theory
Interactionist
Functionalist Perspective
The Basics
Focused on society in general
Views society as a complex system whose parts
function to promote stability
Key Elements:
Most people agree on what is best for society &
work together
Interests include the function family, education, etc., serve in society
Conflict Perspective
The Basics:
Focused on groups within society and on the forces that promote competition and change
View power as the core of all social relationships
Interested in all types of competition – violent, as well as non-violent
Social change is inevitable
Key Elements:
Competition over scarce resources is the basis of social conflict
Wealth and power are limited
Dominant group vs. disadvantaged group relations
Interactionist Perspective
The Basics
Focused on how individuals interact with one another
Views society as the product of everyday interactions of individuals
Key ElementsInterested in the role symbols play in daily livesInterested in topics such as child development,
relationships within groups and mate selection
Critical Evaluation of Perspectives
Functionalist Perspective
Too broad, ignores inequalities of social class, race
& gender, focuses on stability at the expense of
conflict
Conflict Theory Perspective
Too broad, ignores how shared values and mutual
interdependence unify society, pursues political
goals
Interactionist Perspective
Too narrow, ignores larger social structures, effects
of culture, factors such as class, gender & race
Diversity in Early Sociology
Feminism & the Gender-Conflict Approach
Focuses on inequality & conflict between women
and men
Closely linked to feminism: the advocacy of
social equality for women and men
Who’s Who:
Harriet Martineau: Theory and Practice of
Society in America, 1837; translated Comte’s,
Positive Philosophy
Jane Addams: Hull House, Chicago’s West
Side, 1889
Harriet Martineau(England, 1802-1876)(Feminist Perspective)
social theorist, often cited as the first female sociologist
Prolific writer and social theorist,
Often cited as the first female
sociologist
Theory and Practice of Society in
America, 1837; also translated Comte’s,
Positive Philosophy
Jane Addams(USA, 1860-1935)(feminist perspective)
Reformer, co-founder of on the the
nation’s first settlement houses - Hull
House, Chicago’s West Side, 1889.
1st American woman to receive the
Nobel Peace Prize, 1931.
A page from
Jane Addams
FBI Case File
in 1920.
SociologyChapter 1The Sociological Point of View