Chapter 1Nature of Sociology

Social StructureAnd

Social Interaction

What is Sociology?Systematic, scientific study of

human societyRelies on scientific evidence—

helps straighten out myths vs. realities

We learn more about ourselves by studying others

BUT learn more from social marginality – being excluded from main-stream society (“outsiders”)

Social Class: A system of ranking people into abstract categories of social positions

Scientific MethodObservationsHypothesisTestingTheory

Sociological ImaginationSociology studies “from the outside” versus

“from the inside” (Psych.) to explain social forces – forces that arise from society in which we are a partwe see it through behavior

Example: People in wide-open areas more likely to commit suicide. Why?

We have to use our sociological imagination can’t look at individual personalities, but at the social forces.

Social IntegrationThe degree to which people are tied to a

social group – social integration

Therefore, inadequate levels of integration = high suicide rate (different in other cultures, though)

We are each other’s sociological backbone!

History of Sociology19th century, because of Industrial

Revolution – brought new ways of living together

Then French Revolution – people questioning legitimacy of monarchies; wanted more freedoms

Grew because of social unrest of this time

AUGUSTE COMTE•Father of Sociology•3 stages

• Religious• Metaphysica

l• Scientific

Auguste Comte, Part IISaid a science of society has 2 branches:

1.Statics – study of organization that allows societies to endure

2.Dynamics – study of processes by which societies change

Herbert SpencerThought society

can be compared to a living organism

Each part of animal has own function, but all parts are interdependent

Also says if society is left alone, it fixes its own problems

KARL MARX•Says main feature of sociology is class conflict – struggle between capitalists and proletariats•Did not believe in natural selection – urged people to change society, not let it evolve

Emile DurkheimPioneered

scientific method application to Sociology

Really studied suicide and the “social facts”

MAX WEBER•Thought one must go beyond observations & find out how people feel about their own behavior - Verstehen

FundamentalsTheoretical perspectives – sets of

general assumptions about nature of society

Functionalist perspective – focuses on social order; each part of society performs as the whole, interdependently

If something happens to this social order, a social consensus must be made for this new change

Functions of BehaviorManifest –

intended & obvious behaviors

Latent – unintended & unrecognized behaviors

The Good and the BadSociety does change, but only for a

reason conflicts

When status quo is criticized, everyone starts to focus on differences & emphasizes their group is better than others – conflict perspective

Society is always changing because of this competition

SPORTS!!!BENEFICIAL HARMFUL

Conducive to success in other areas of life

Develops skill, ability, self-discipline, mental alertness, physical fitness

Enhances health & happiness

Contributes to social order & stability through unification

Sports act as an opiate, numbing the masses sense of dissatisfaction w/capitalist society

Reinforces social, gender, & racial inequalities

Big business – elitist system

“Man’s world” – glorifies masculinity

Wrap-UpSociology can help enrich our lives

intellectual exercise, general guide, pursue careers, & just obtain a better understanding of the world through our own interpretations

The world around us affects our lives more than what the world does to us.