CH. 1

The Sociological Perspective

Sociology: The scientific study of society and human

behavior; structure.

How Groups Influence People

Maintains a group focus.

Emphasizes patterned social relationships between members.

How People are Influenced by Their Society

Uses social factors to explain human social behavior.

People Who Share a Culture

People Who Share a Territory

Seeing the Broader Social ContextSeeing the Broader Social Context

Jobs

Income

Education

Gender

Age

Race/Ethnicity

Social Location - Corners in LifeSocial Location - Corners in Life

The Sociological Imagination:

History - Location in Broad Stream of Events

Biography - Individual’s Specific Experiences

C. Wright Mills - History and BiographyC. Wright Mills - History and Biography

The Global Village Instant Communication Sociology Studies both the Global Network

and Our Unique Experiences

The Global Context and the LocalThe Global Context and the Local

The Natural Sciences Explain and Predict Events in Natural Environment

The Social Sciences Examine Human Relationships

Sociology and the Other SciencesSociology and the Other Sciences

Anthropology Studies Culture

Economics Studies the Production and Distribution of Goods and

Services Political Science

Studies How People Govern Themselves

Sociology and the Other SciencesSociology and the Other Sciences

Psychology The Study of Processes Within

Individuals Sociology

Similarities to Other Disciplines

Sociology and the Other SciencesSociology and the Other Sciences

Explain Why Something Happens Make Generalizations Look for Patterns Predict What will Happen Move Beyond Common Sense

The Goal of ScienceThe Goal of Science

RISKS OF SOCIOLOGY

Nooks and Crannies People Prefer Hidden

People Feel Threatened by Information

Tradition vs. Science The Industrial Revolution Grew Out of Social Upheaval Imperialism of the Time Rise of the Scientific Method

Origins of SociologyOrigins of Sociology

Applying the Scientific Method to Social World Coined the Term “Sociology” “Armchair Philosophy”

Auguste Comte and PositivismAuguste Comte and Positivism

Second Founder of Sociology

Lower and Higher Forms of Society

Coined Phrase “Survival of the Fittest”

Herbert Spencer - Social DarwinismHerbert Spencer - Social Darwinism

Engine of Human History is Class Conflict

The Bourgeoisie vs. The Proletariat

Marxism Not the Same as Communism

Karl Marx and Class ConflictKarl Marx and Class Conflict

Got Sociology Recognized as Separate Discipline

Studied How Social Forces Affect Behavior

Identified “Social Integration” - Degree to Which People are Tied to Social Group

Durkheim and Social IntegrationDurkheim and Social Integration

Religion and the Origin of Capitalism

Religion is Central Force in Social Change

Protestant Ethic and Spirit of Capitalism

Max Weber and the Protestant EthicMax Weber and the Protestant Ethic

First Took Root in 1890 at University of Kansas

Spread Rapidly in Next 20 Years

Not at Harvard until 1930

American Journal of Sociology 1895

Sociology in North AmericaSociology in North America

Attitudes of the Time 1800s Sex Roles Rigidly Defined Few People Educated Beyond Basics

Harriet Martineau Published Society in America Before Durkheim and

Weber Were Born Her Work was Ignored

Sexism in Early SociologySexism in Early Sociology

B.A. from Fisk University First Harvard Ph.D. for African American Published a Book Each Year from 1896-

1914 Neglected by Sociologist Until Recently

Racism at the Time: W.E.B Du BoisRacism at the Time: W.E.B Du Bois

Member of American Sociological Society from Start

Came from Background of Wealth and Privilege Co-Founded Hull House Co-Founded American Civil Liberties Union

Jane Addams: Sociologist and Social ReformerJane Addams: Sociologist and Social Reformer

Sociology Should be Value-Free Sociology Should be Objective Research Should Involve Replication Goals and Uses of Sociology

Change or just explore? Applied sociology

Values in Sociological ResearchValues in Sociological Research

Symbolic Interactionism - How People Use Symbols in Everyday Life

Applying Symbolic Interactionism - Changing the Meaning of Symbols Affects Expectations

Theoretical PerspectivesTheoretical Perspectives

Society is a Whole Unit Made Up of Interrelated Parts that Work Together

Functionalism, Structural Functionalism

Robert Merton: Functions

• MANIFEST• LATENT

Dysfunctions

Functional AnalysisFunctional Analysis

Karl Marx and Conflict Theory

Conflict Theory Today

Feminists and Conflict Theory

Applying Conflict Theory

Conflict TheoryConflict Theory

Functionalists and Conflict Theorists - Macro Level

Symbolic Interactionists - Micro Level

Microsociology – interest in the interaction of people “within” social structures; investigates relationships within groups

Macrosociology – interest in the “intersection” of social structures; focuses on groups as a whole

Levels of AnalysisLevels of Analysis

Theoretical Perspectives in Sociology

Theory Criticisms

Functionalism • Tends to legitimize the status quo.• Neglects social change.• Assumes that society benefits

everyone.

Conflict Theory • Overlooks forces of stability in society.• Assumes that only the ruling class

benefits from the way society operates.• Assumes the working class does not

know it is subordinate.

Symbolic Interaction • Sometimes fails to take the larger picture into account.• Does not consider the impact of

social forces and/or social structures.

Theoretical Criticisms

Sociology Full Circle: Reform vs. Research Diversity of Orientations Applied/Public Sociology Globalization

Trends Shaping the FutureTrends Shaping the Future