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Chapter 1:
Sociology and the Real World
(Part II)
“Clickers”BC Forum: Channel 42
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Overview Historical Factors What is Theory? Theoretical Perspectives
• Europe• MACRO
• The U.S. • MICRO
• New Theoretical Approaches Tensions Within Sociology
The Blind Men and the ElephantBy John Godfrey Saxe
(1816-1887)
It was six men of Indostan
To learning much inclined
Who went to see the Elephant
(Though all of them were blind),
That each by observation
Might satisfy his mind
The First approached the Elephant, And happening to fall Against his broad and sturdy side, At once began to bawl: “God bless me! but the Elephant Is very like a wall!”
The Second, feeling of the tusk, Cried, “Ho! what have we here So very round and smooth and sharp? To me ’tis mighty clear This wonder of an Elephant Is very like a spear!”
The Third approached the animal, And happening to take The squirming trunk within his hands, Thus boldly up and spake: “I see,” quoth he, “the Elephant Is very like a snake!”
The Fourth reached out an eager hand, And felt about the knee. “What most this wondrous beast is like Is mighty plain,” quoth he; “‘Tis clear enough the Elephant Is very like a tree!”
The Fifth, who chanced to touch the ear, Said: “E’en the blindest man Can tell what this resembles most; Deny the fact who can This marvel of an Elephant Is very like a fan!
The Sixth no sooner had begun About the beast to grope, Than, seizing on the swinging tail That fell within his scope, “I see,” quoth he, “the Elephant Is very like a rope!”
And so these men of Indostan Disputed loud and long, Each in his own opinion Exceeding stiff and strong, Though each was partly in the right, And all were in the wrong!
So oft in theologic wars, The disputants, I ween, Rail on in utter ignorance Of what each other mean, And prate about an Elephant Not one of them has seen!
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Historical Factors in the Development of Sociology
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Historical Factors
The emergence of social sciences• Borrowing from
the natural sciences
• Applying the scientific method to the study of the social world
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Historical Factors
The Industrial Revolution• Invention:
• Steam engine
• Europe (in 19th Century)• Spread to U.S.
• Social Change• Radical, rapid transformation of society
and everyday life• New, widespread social problems
Historical Factors
The French and American Revolutions• Political change
• Overthrow monarchies
• Democracy
• Social change• Rights• Freedoms
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Historical Factors
Increases in travel• Exposure to
other societies• Compare and
contrast • social systems• cultural
practices
Innovations in communications• Rapid
dissemination of information
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In-Class Exercise
Re-imagining the Industrial Revolution
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“THEORY”(also known as):
Approach Perspective School of Thought Paradigm
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Theory What is Theory?
• Framework for understanding
• Abstract proposition:• explains social
world • makes
predictions about future
What Makes a Good Theory?• Broad, enduring
• Subject to testing• prove, modify or
disprove
• Can adapt to social change
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The Roots of Sociology
Auguste Compte (1798-1857)1798-1857)
Applied scientific method• Positivism
• Knowledge gained directly through senses
Coined the term “Sociology”
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The Roots of Sociology Herbert Spencer
(1820-1903))
Interest in evolution• Societies (like
organisms) evolve by adapting to changing environment
• “Social Darwinism”
Coined the phrase• “Survival of the
Fittest”
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Sociological Theory 3 “Grand” Theories
• MACRO (Europe 19th Century)• Functionalism• Conflict Theory
• MICRO (U.S. 20th Century)• Interactionism
Other Theorists• Sigmund Freud (Ch. 4)• Max Weber (Ch. 5)
Emile Durkheim 1858–1917
FUNCTIONALISM
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FUNCTIONALISM(Structural Functionalism)
Understanding rapid social change• Could society survive?
Focus on stability, cohesion and order
• Social bonds exist in all societies• Mechanical solidarity
– Shared traditions and beliefs
• Organic solidarity– Division of labor and interdependence
Society is a system of interrelated parts• Each part helps meet needs of members
• Social institutions
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“The Elementary Forms of Religious Life”• Solidarity in secular society
• Division of sacred and profane• Collective effervescence
– Shared rituals
• Collective conscience– Shared beliefs and values
Robert Merton• Manifest and latent functions
• Intended and unintended consequences
• Dysfunctions may arise• Not all are unhealthy• Can lead to social change
CONFLICT THEORY
Karl Marx 1818–1883
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CONFLICT THEORY(Marxism)
Founded by Karl Marx• Marxism is NOT Communism
Looked at growth of Capitalism• Profit-driven private industry
Social inequality• Concern for the poor, working class masses
Marx’s vision:• A classless utopia
“From each according to his abilities,
To each according to his needs”
CONFLICT THEORY(Marxism)
Different groups compete over “scarce” resources• Tension between
“haves” and “have-nots”
Class conflict• The Bourgeoisie
• The ruling class (owners of the “means of production”)
• The Proletariat• The working class
The powerful protect their own interests• Domination, exploitation
results in:• Resentment, resistance and
rebellion
• Or, “False consciousness” (acceptance of the dominant ideology)
Struggle leads to social change• “Revolutionary” class
consciousness• Overthrow the status quo
George Herbert Mead
Herbert Blumer
SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM
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SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM(Interactionism)
American branch of sociology• Early 20th Century• University of Chicago
• “Chicago School” used the city as a social laboratory
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Interactionism
Face-to-face interaction and everyday life
Focus on symbols• meaningful
representations• signs, gestures,
language
Looks at how people:• create and interpret
social reality • act toward each
other based on their interpretations
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Tenets: We act toward things based on
their meaning Meanings are not inherent; rather
they are derived through interaction Meanings can change or be
modified
Illustration: “The Slap”
Tensions in Early Sociology Eurocentrism, sexism and racism
Accomplishments (praxis)
Jane Addams1860–1935
W.E.B. DuBois 1868–1963
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New Theoretical ApproachesWhat is the future of sociology?
POSTMODERNISM
Derrida, Foucault, Baurdrillard
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Postmodernism New perspective for era (21st century)
• Post-atomic• Information Revolution (Digital Age)
• Characteristics of eras• Modernism
– Reason, science, rationality, linear, universal
• Postmodernism – Relative, fragmented, fluid, multidimensional,
temporary
• The “simulacra” (simulation or fake)• Virtual reality as good as (or better than) the
real– Las Vegas theme hotels– Video: Holographic pop star (Japan)
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Next …
Studying Social Life:
Research Methods