Introduction to SociologyThe Basics & Schools of Thought

A Brief History of Sociology• Sociology began in the late 1800’s• Industrial Revolution led to dramatic societal

changes (ppl moving from country to urban centres)

• Migration to cities led to problems (pollution, poverty, malnutrition, unemployment, crime)

• Resulted in social unrest & disorder• 1st sociologists studied these problems• Wanted to help ppl deal with these issues

What is Sociology?• Sociology studies the development, structure,

& functioning of human society• Sociologists study how groups of people who

share common characteristics function• A sociologist always investigates an issue

from a social or group level• They focus on patterns of behaviour shared

by members of a particular group or society

What do Sociologists do?• Sociologists• Observe & conduct practical research into key social

issues & behaviours to explain why a society functions as it does

• Sociologists ask broad questions & look at different elements to make sense of them• Q’s are broad enough that they can apply to other

societies as well as the one being studied• Sociologists are interested in cultural

expressions • (shared symbols/learned behaviours that everyone in a

society recognizes & understands• Sociologists study• Ethnic groups, gender, social & economic

disparity/classes, deviance, etc

What are Cultural Expressions?• Symbols: come in

numerous shapes & forms

• Learned Behaviours come from• Values: shared ideas &

standards that are considered acceptable & binding• Norms: expectations about

how ppl should behave • Roles: the expected

behaviour of a person in a particular social position

Objectivity & Universality• Sociologists must approach their research

objectively•Set aside own beliefs & avoid making judgments

• Also need to understand universality•Cultural/geographic boundaries can be removed when studying societal components b/c all societies have similar structures

• Sociologists need to compare societies to explain trends & behaviours•Many issues affect all societies

Sociology & Anthropology: What’s the Diff?• Both examine the human condition• Both attempt to investigate the “big picture”• Both investigate the way society influences the

lives of people• Anthropologists study cultures as a whole,

whereas sociologists study parts of a society

• Sociology studies components that make up culture (i.e. family, religion, education) & the groups closely associated with these institutions

Macro & MicrosociologyMacrosociology

• An approach that analyzes social systems on a large scale

• Takes a wide perspective & is concerned w/ studying society as a whole

• Analyze social systems & populations on a large scale

• Look @ large social institutions individuals belong to (country, religion)

Microsociology• This approach studies small

groups & individuals w/in a society

• Interested in understanding the bases of social action & interaction among individual members & their place in society

• Concerned w/ the role & interactions an individual or small group of ppl may have in society

Sociological Schools of Thought• Four leading theoretical

perspectives/SoTs• Each attempts to explain a

situation from a point of view• Theories are NOT facts,

they are tools to describe evidence & conduct research

• Sociologists are attempting to define patterns & trends using one of the following theories

Functionalism• Believes every

structure in society has a vital function (the whole is made up of parts such as family, economy, religion)

• Society seeks stability (after every upheaval society will return to a stable or normal state)

• Most aspects of society contribute to its well-being/survival (families contribute by reproducing and taking care of its members)

• Society works in a logical manner to protect most of its members (makes laws and punishes those that break them)

• Bee Movie: 3:56

Conflict Perspective• Believes society

experiences inconsistency and change everywhere (i.e. Technology is important – need it to learn to get ahead– but high tech is not accessible to all – therefore poor cannot get ahead)

• All societies involve control and coercion of some members by others (some people have power over others – and have the ability to constrain or limit those with less power)

• Bee Movie: 32:30

Symbolic-Interactionist Theory• Believe people

have unique interpretations of symbols based on meanings they learn from others

• People base their interaction with others on their interpretation of symbols (i.e. Musical groups learn that people don’t like the music they hear or the performance if boos are heard)

Sociological Feminist Theory• Is an extension of

feminism that aims to understand the nature of gender inequality

• Examines social roles, experience, and interests

• Believe that men have held power in society unjustifiably & that women’s interests must be promoted

Research based on two premises;

1. Should focus on the condition of women in society

2. Must be grounded on the assumption that women generally experience subordination

Applying Sociological TheoriesExemplar CaseJuan and his family are living in poverty. Juan is the

father of 3 children and has been unemployed for 6 months. His wife stayed at home to raise the children. Juan lost his job because he didn’t have the skills to use the new computers at his workplace (and no training was provided). He and his family do not even have enough money for food. One day, Juan is so worried that his children will starve to death, he decides to steal some food from the local grocery store, is caught and sent to prison for his actions.

Explaining the Case• Functionalism Perspective• Prisons are an institution and perform a function

in society – contain individuals that break the law• Juan (the head of the family) lost his job, resulting

in the family entering an unsteady state and therefore, does not function well in society

• Since Juan stole, he threatens the stability of society and therefore, he must be sent to jail/prison to restore balance

Explaining the Case• Conflict Theorist Perspective• Those in power fired Juan, who was merely an

employee• Without money or computer skills Juan is

powerless• Juan will continue to be powerless b/c he is poor

and does not have the funds to gain the necessary skills

• Resulted in his actions (stealing) in an attempt to gain the power to survive • His actions are the fault of those in power

Explaining the Case• Symbolic-Interactionist Perspective

• Juan perceives stealing as a vital need for his families survival and steals food from the store

• Law enforcement perceives stealing as a crime, Juan is guilty of that crime

• As a result of societies perception of stealing Juan is sent to jail/prison

Explaining the Case• Feminist Theory• Juan is the traditional “breadwinner” or money-

earner in the family meaning he has all the power (perhaps unjustifiably)

• When he loses his job, all power is lost and he resorts to crime

• As a result of this gender inequality, Juan’s wife and children are victims of the unjustifiable situation set-up by having Juan the sole breadwinner