SociologySociology

• The study of people in The study of people in groupsgroups

• GroupsGroups in in the process of self-formationthe process of self-formation

• through the actions of through the actions of individualsindividuals

• through the actions and through the actions and forces of the forces of the groups groups themselvesthemselves

The Study of People in GroupsThe Study of People in Groups

• The “Scientific” study of The “Scientific” study of

–groups groups and and

–group formationgroup formation

• Groups, as Groups, as collections of people collections of people in the process of in the process of self-definitionself-definition

Scientific Study of GroupsScientific Study of Groups

• Involves Involves MethodsMethods of Study of Study

• Involves Involves TheoriesTheories of Study of Study

METHODS of STUDYMETHODS of STUDY

• Observation (obtrusive and unobtrusive)Observation (obtrusive and unobtrusive)

• Surveys Surveys

• ExperimentsExperiments

• Historical ComparisonHistorical Comparison

• Cross-Cultural ComparisonCross-Cultural Comparison

• Archival ResearchArchival Research

Suspending JudgementSuspending Judgement

• A key attitude in the study of society is A key attitude in the study of society is the research approach called the research approach called cultural cultural relativismrelativism

• This is in contrast to the common This is in contrast to the common approach, which views other cultures and approach, which views other cultures and societies from the point of view of one’s societies from the point of view of one’s own values and beliefs-- otherwise known own values and beliefs-- otherwise known as as ethnocentrismethnocentrism

Theories of StudyTheories of Study

• Functionalism (and variations)Functionalism (and variations)

– structuralismstructuralism

• Social Conflict TheorySocial Conflict Theory

• Symbolic InteractionismSymbolic Interactionism

• Gender Theory (Feminist Theory)Gender Theory (Feminist Theory)

FunctionalismFunctionalism

• Social groups and society are viewed like Social groups and society are viewed like “living organisms”“living organisms”

• groups and group processes are studied groups and group processes are studied as parts of a functioning wholeas parts of a functioning whole

• aspects and behaviors of society may aspects and behaviors of society may have obvious (have obvious (manifestmanifest) functions or ) functions or “hidden” (“hidden” (latentlatent) functions) functions

Functionalism: DurkheimFunctionalism: Durkheim

• Emile Durkheim: French SociologistEmile Durkheim: French Sociologist

• (1858-1917)(1858-1917)

• Considered one of the “fathers of Considered one of the “fathers of modern sociology”modern sociology”

Social Conflict TheorySocial Conflict Theory

• Society is created from the ongoing Society is created from the ongoing conflict between key groupsconflict between key groups

• According to some theorists, these groups According to some theorists, these groups are the main economic “classes” of are the main economic “classes” of societysociety

• these are made up of those who own the these are made up of those who own the main wealth of society, and those who main wealth of society, and those who own little but their ability to laborown little but their ability to labor

Social Conflict Theory:MarxSocial Conflict Theory:Marx

• The main theorist representing this The main theorist representing this approach is Karl Marx (1818-1883)approach is Karl Marx (1818-1883)

• He saw society as being built out of the He saw society as being built out of the conflicting interests of the “owner class” conflicting interests of the “owner class” and the “working class”and the “working class”

• In his view, the ensuing struggle between In his view, the ensuing struggle between classes would lead to a classless societyclasses would lead to a classless society

Symbolic InteractionismSymbolic Interactionism

• ““Symbols” are the basis of social lifeSymbols” are the basis of social life

• Individuals and societies develop through Individuals and societies develop through people’s interaction through symbolspeople’s interaction through symbols

• Individuals develop a sense of themselves Individuals develop a sense of themselves as they learn to use symbolsas they learn to use symbols

• Individuals develop a sense of themselves Individuals develop a sense of themselves as they learn to see themselves the way as they learn to see themselves the way they believe others see themthey believe others see them

Symbolic InteractionistsSymbolic Interactionists

• Charles Horton Cooley (1864-1929)Charles Horton Cooley (1864-1929)

• George Herbert Mead (1863-1947)George Herbert Mead (1863-1947)

• Erving GoffmanErving Goffman

– ““The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life”The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life”

Culture and SocietyCulture and Society

• Material and Non-Material CultureMaterial and Non-Material Culture

• Culture as “Webs of Meaning”Culture as “Webs of Meaning”

• ...As “Blueprint of/for society”...As “Blueprint of/for society”

• Made up, as well, of Made up, as well, of norms, values, mores norms, values, mores and folkwaysand folkways

• The culture of a society is passed on from The culture of a society is passed on from one generation to the nextone generation to the next

Culture and SocietyCulture and Society

• The culture of any group is passed on from The culture of any group is passed on from one generation to the next through ongoing, one generation to the next through ongoing, lifelong processes of lifelong processes of socializationsocialization

• A related concept is A related concept is enculturationenculturation• Social members may even be Social members may even be resocializedresocialized in in

their lifetime if they do not “conform” to the their lifetime if they do not “conform” to the values, mores, norms etc. of their groupvalues, mores, norms etc. of their group

SocializationSocialization

• Socialization (enculturation) is a Socialization (enculturation) is a life-longlife-long process, that begins at birthprocess, that begins at birth

• We are first socialized by those who are closest We are first socialized by those who are closest to us in our early months and yearsto us in our early months and years

• This first development is called This first development is called primary primary socializationsocialization

• Later we are socialized through our wider Later we are socialized through our wider society, and this is called society, and this is called secondary secondary socializationsocialization

GroupsGroups

• Sociology is the study of Sociology is the study of groupsgroups of people of people in process of self-definition in process of self-definition asas groupsgroups

• A group is a collection of people (but not A group is a collection of people (but not all collections of people are groups!)all collections of people are groups!)

• Sociology studies, among other things, Sociology studies, among other things, how individuals impact and shape groupshow individuals impact and shape groups

• Sociology studies, as well, how groups Sociology studies, as well, how groups impact and shape individualsimpact and shape individuals

Groups: Common TermsGroups: Common Terms

• aggregateaggregate

• categorycategory

• voluntaryvoluntary and and involuntary involuntary groupsgroups

• reference groupsreference groups

• peer groupspeer groups

• primaryprimary and s and secondaryecondary groups groups

Groups: More TermsGroups: More Terms

• statusstatus– achievedachieved– ascribedascribed

• rolesroles

• in-groupin-group

• out-groupout-group

Formal OrganizationsFormal Organizations

• Formal organizations are usually large-Formal organizations are usually large-scale groups that have a planned focus scale groups that have a planned focus and a clearly defined structureand a clearly defined structure

• Such organizations are often referred to Such organizations are often referred to as as bureaucraciesbureaucracies

• Max Weber studied bureaucracies as Max Weber studied bureaucracies as ideal organizations of complex, modern ideal organizations of complex, modern societysociety

BureaucraciesBureaucracies

• According to Weber, bureaucracies According to Weber, bureaucracies represented the ideal organization of represented the ideal organization of large-scale, modern societylarge-scale, modern society

• ....with such characteristics as the ....with such characteristics as the complex complex division of labordivision of labor

• ...with a ...with a hierarchical structure hierarchical structure of of authorityauthority

• ...and a complex system of clear and ...and a complex system of clear and predictable predictable rulesrules

Social InequalitySocial Inequality

• A persistent character of groups A persistent character of groups

throughout the world is that of throughout the world is that of stratificationstratification

• Stratification is the Stratification is the unequal division unequal division of of

societiessocieties

• This division can be based on a variety of This division can be based on a variety of

factors including:factors including:

Stratification:Stratification:

• Class...Class...

• Race...Race...

• Gender...Gender...

• Power...Power...

• Prestige...Prestige...

Class: MarxClass: Marx

• According to Marx (and other social According to Marx (and other social conflict theorists) class is the division of conflict theorists) class is the division of societies into several main groups, societies into several main groups, including:including:

• ...those who own the productive wealth of ...those who own the productive wealth of society society

• ...those who own only their labor (the ...those who own only their labor (the workers)workers)

Class: MarxClass: Marx

• In this theory, this was the fundamental In this theory, this was the fundamental difference between the classes of difference between the classes of industrial societyindustrial society

• ...and this division would eventually ...and this division would eventually disappear as workers struggled for the disappear as workers struggled for the power of the owner classpower of the owner class

Class: WeberClass: Weber

• According to Weber, the stratification of According to Weber, the stratification of society was based on a broader range of society was based on a broader range of factors, includingfactors, including

• ....wealth....wealth

• ....power....power

• ....prestige....prestige

• And one could have any one of these to be And one could have any one of these to be in a “higher” class..... (examples?)in a “higher” class..... (examples?)

Poverty Among the StratifiedPoverty Among the Stratified

• Poverty is a persistent feature of Poverty is a persistent feature of

stratification throughout the worldstratification throughout the world

• While many would argue about its very While many would argue about its very

definitiondefinition

• And many would argue about its real And many would argue about its real

cause(s)cause(s)

Relative and Absolute PovertyRelative and Absolute Poverty

• Much of poverty in the world is what Much of poverty in the world is what could be termed “relative poverty”....could be termed “relative poverty”....

• While much of the world lives in While much of the world lives in “absolute poverty...“absolute poverty...

• ...the latter being a state in which one’s ...the latter being a state in which one’s very survival is threatened by the lack of very survival is threatened by the lack of resources (eg. food, clothing, medical resources (eg. food, clothing, medical care etc.)care etc.)

Causes of PovertyCauses of Poverty

• Why does poverty persist in the world?Why does poverty persist in the world?

• Functionalist view....Functionalist view....

• Social-conflict theory...Social-conflict theory...

• Social-interactionist theory...Social-interactionist theory...

• Gender/Feminist theory...Gender/Feminist theory...

Other Divisions: Race and Other Divisions: Race and EthnicityEthnicity

• Race and ethnicity are also dividing Race and ethnicity are also dividing factors in our society (and our wider factors in our society (and our wider world)world)

• RaceRace is the is the social definition social definition of people of people based one biological characteristicsbased one biological characteristics

• Ethnicity Ethnicity is the is the social definition social definition of people of people based on based on cultural ties cultural ties (like language, (like language, dress, customs, beliefs, etc.)dress, customs, beliefs, etc.)

Race: Key TermsRace: Key Terms

• PrejudicePrejudice

• DiscriminationDiscrimination

• RacismRacism

• Social definition of RaceSocial definition of Race

• Institutional RacismInstitutional Racism

• Minority StatusMinority Status

Race: More Key TermsRace: More Key Terms

• Genocide (“ethnic cleansing”)Genocide (“ethnic cleansing”)

• ExpulsionExpulsion

• Segregation (apartheid)Segregation (apartheid)

• AssimilationAssimilation

• AmalgamationAmalgamation

• Cultural pluralismCultural pluralism

Other Divisions: GenderOther Divisions: Gender

• Sex: Sex: biological characteristicsbiological characteristics– xy/xx, hormones, primary and secondary sex xy/xx, hormones, primary and secondary sex

characteristicscharacteristics

• Gender: the social definition of groups Gender: the social definition of groups based on biological characteristics....based on biological characteristics....

• (sound familiar? see the variation of this (sound familiar? see the variation of this theme under “race”)theme under “race”)

Gender: Nature vs. NurtureGender: Nature vs. Nurture

• How much of what we are as How much of what we are as

“masculine” and “feminine” is “masculine” and “feminine” is

• .....learned through socialization........learned through socialization...

• .....or “built-in” to us through our genes, .....or “built-in” to us through our genes,

hormones and brain-structure?hormones and brain-structure?

Gender: biological destiny?Gender: biological destiny?

• How much of the stratification of our How much of the stratification of our society along gendered lines is society along gendered lines is “natural”--based on our biological make-“natural”--based on our biological make-up....up....

• ....and how much is the result of social ....and how much is the result of social definition of opportunities etc. based on definition of opportunities etc. based on biological makeup....?biological makeup....?

Gender: biological destiny?Gender: biological destiny?

• the “glass ceiling”...the “glass ceiling”...

• female job-ghettosfemale job-ghettos

• the “feminization of poverty”the “feminization of poverty”

• Are these “natural divisions” of the Are these “natural divisions” of the world?world?

Social InstitutionsSocial Institutions

• Society is in process of self-definition...Society is in process of self-definition...

• As social practices of groups become As social practices of groups become familiar, accepted and expected they familiar, accepted and expected they become what sociology calls become what sociology calls institutionsinstitutions

• This refers to This refers to organized practices organized practices and and relationshipsrelationships of society, rather than to of society, rather than to physical placesphysical places......

Social Institutions Include...Social Institutions Include...

• ...family...family

• ...religion...religion

• ...economics and politics...economics and politics

• ...education...education

Family: Family: The way we The way we never were...never were...

• The sociological study of family:The sociological study of family:• historical comparison...historical comparison...

– Kodachrome...”the good-old days”.Kodachrome...”the good-old days”.....

• cross-cultural comparison...cross-cultural comparison...– ““family values” around the world...family values” around the world...

• family today: the “ideal” vs. “the real”family today: the “ideal” vs. “the real”

Religion= Primitive Religion= Primitive ScienceScience??

• The “enlightened view” of “religion”...The “enlightened view” of “religion”...– ““science” replacing “religion” science” replacing “religion” – the emergence of “rational” explanation of the emergence of “rational” explanation of

the worldthe world

• Classifying the world’s cultures : from Classifying the world’s cultures : from “savagery” to “civilization”? “savagery” to “civilization”?

• Sociologists get involved.....Sociologists get involved.....– Durkheim et. alDurkheim et. al

Religion vs. Science?Religion vs. Science?

• Is there necessarily any conflict between Is there necessarily any conflict between religion and science?religion and science?

• examples of conflict in history....examples of conflict in history....– the earth is the center of the universethe earth is the center of the universe– there is no such thing as a vacuumthere is no such thing as a vacuum– ““God” created “man” on the 7th day... not God” created “man” on the 7th day... not

through “evolution”....through “evolution”....

Religion vs. Science?Religion vs. Science?

• Why did such scientific assertions Why did such scientific assertions challenge religion?challenge religion?

• Do they necessarily undermine, or Do they necessarily undermine, or contradict religious beliefs and tradtitionscontradict religious beliefs and tradtitions??

• Today, does the sociological study of Today, does the sociological study of religion necessarily mean the rejection of religion necessarily mean the rejection of religion?religion?

Sociology and Religion:Sociology and Religion:Which theory would say...Which theory would say...

• ““Religion dulls people to the reality of Religion dulls people to the reality of class conflict...”class conflict...”

• ““Religion should be studied for the things Religion should be studied for the things it does for the cohesion of society...”it does for the cohesion of society...”

• ““Religion should also be studied for its Religion should also be studied for its gendered character in history and gendered character in history and contemporary society...”contemporary society...”

Deviance and Social ControlDeviance and Social Control

• Remember... “Sociology is the study Remember... “Sociology is the study of.....”of.....”

• Groups in “self-definition” set Groups in “self-definition” set boundaries...boundaries...– who belongswho belongs– who does notwho does not

• This is done by the way people talk, dress, This is done by the way people talk, dress, behave etc.behave etc.

Deviance and Social ControlDeviance and Social Control

• ““Deviance” is relative to values of the Deviance” is relative to values of the wider society.... How is this so?wider society.... How is this so?– or.... if a “deviant” fell in the woods, and or.... if a “deviant” fell in the woods, and

nobody was around to hear this....nobody was around to hear this....

• ““Deviant” behavior and beliefs often find Deviant” behavior and beliefs often find their way, eventually, into “mainstream” their way, eventually, into “mainstream” society:society:– or... underwear as outerwear....or... underwear as outerwear....

Deviance and Social ControlDeviance and Social Control

• ““Deviant behavior” today may also have Deviant behavior” today may also have been accepted social practice in the past...been accepted social practice in the past...

• spare the rod and avoid the DCYFspare the rod and avoid the DCYF

• no smoking! you @#@!@!##@no smoking! you @#@!@!##@

• opium under the Pastor’s porch...opium under the Pastor’s porch...

Which theory would....Which theory would....

• ...See “deviance” as the definition of the ...See “deviance” as the definition of the powerful in a society?powerful in a society?

• ...See “deviance” as learned through ...See “deviance” as learned through processes of seeing oneself in relation to processes of seeing oneself in relation to others and their expectations?others and their expectations?

• ...See “deviance” as having some “positive” ...See “deviance” as having some “positive” functions in society, as well as being a sign of functions in society, as well as being a sign of the malfunction or dysfunction of society?the malfunction or dysfunction of society?

A Rap on DevianceA Rap on Deviance

• The “latent” and “manifest” functions of The “latent” and “manifest” functions of “parental advisory”stickers“parental advisory”stickers

• But isn’t Rap just “missing a C”?But isn’t Rap just “missing a C”?

• Rap... In context of history....Rap... In context of history....

• A conflict of power in history and A conflict of power in history and contemporary society?contemporary society?

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