the sociological point of view chapter one. purpose to better understand human society, sociologists...
TRANSCRIPT
The SociologicalPoint of View
Chapter One
Purpose
• To better understand human society, sociologists study how humans interact with each other.
EXAMINING SOCIAL LIFESection 1
Introduction• The primary interest of sociologists is
the combination of – The diversity of society/difference in how
people view a certain subject• example: religion is a personal choice
– The shared characteristics and ideas of society• example: crime is wrong
Math Problems
• For psychology, we had a math problem:– PSYCHOLOGY = thoughts + behaviors
• We have one for sociology too:– SOCIOLOGY = human society + social
behavior
The Sociological Perspective
• Definition: look at social life in a scientific systematic way, rather than depending on common-sense explanations
• Purpose of developing– See a connection between you and
society– Broaden your view of the social world– Learn there are many views of social
reality
• Sociological Imagination: the ability to make a connection between your personal life and the larger world
Sociology’s Place inthe Social Sciences
• Remember, the Social Sciences include: sociology, psychology, anthropology, history, economics, and political science
HISTORY OF SOCIOLOGYSection 2
A Historical Timeline• Developed as a
separate study in the late 1800s
– Due to the Industrial Revolution and the many social changes due to urbanization
• The Early Years—primarily in France, Germany, and England
August Comte: France, 1798-1857
• Considered the father of sociology; he coined the name sociology
• Intrigued by the causes and consequences of the French Revolution
• Focused on social order and social change• Said social statics hold society together
and social dynamics were the ways society changed
• Never completed his college education
Herbert Spencer: England, 1820-1903
• Pursued a study of sociology after inheriting enough money to quit working
• Social Darwinism—coined the phrase survival of the fittest to refer to the similarities between societies and biological systems
Karl Marx: Germany, 1818-1883
• Could never hold a job for long because of his revolutionary and radical ideas
• Felt society was influenced by its economy and two groups—the proletariat (workers) and the bourgeoisie (capitalists/owners)
• His views led to the development of conflict theory
Emile Durkheim: France, 1858-1917
• Developed the first college sociology course in France
• Focused only on observable phenomena
• Organized the first sociological study—Suicide, 1897
Max Weber: Germany, 1864-1920
• Looked at separate groups in society
• Verstehen: put yourself in someone else’s shoes
• Employed the concept of ideal type—the basic components of features of society
The American Sociological Association (ASA)
• Firsts– College Class: University of Kansas, 1889– College Department: University of
Chicago, 1892– Organization: 1905
• Growth– 115 members in 1906– Over 14,000 members today
CURRENT PERSPECTIVES
Remember, a perspective is just an idea
Functionalist Perspective• Based on the ideas of Comte, Spencer, and
Durkheim• View society as a set of interrelated parts that
work together to ensure the social system runs smoothly
• Functions—positive consequences for society– Manifest Function: the intended consequence– Latent Function: the unintended consequence
Conflict Perspective
• Focus on the forces in society that promote competition and change; can be violent or non-violent
• Competition over scarce resources (like money) is at the basis of social conflict
Interactionist Perspective
• Focus is on how individuals interact with one another in society
• Look at the role of symbols in our daily lives