The Sociological Perspective

The Sociological Perspective

Chapter 1Mr. Schoffstall

Chapter 1Mr. Schoffstall

The Sociological Perspective

The Sociological Perspective

A. Sociology- is the systematic study of human societyB. The sociological perspective helps us to see general

social patterns in the behavior of particular individuals.

C. It also encourages us to realize that society guides our thoughts and deeds- to see the strange in the familiar.

D. Sociology also encourages us to see individuality in social context.

1. Example , Emily Durkheim’s research showed that the suicide rate was strongly influenced by the extent to which people were socially integrated with others, people need to feel connected to other people, we need human interaction.

A. Sociology- is the systematic study of human societyB. The sociological perspective helps us to see general

social patterns in the behavior of particular individuals.

C. It also encourages us to realize that society guides our thoughts and deeds- to see the strange in the familiar.

D. Sociology also encourages us to see individuality in social context.

1. Example , Emily Durkheim’s research showed that the suicide rate was strongly influenced by the extent to which people were socially integrated with others, people need to feel connected to other people, we need human interaction.

The Importance of Global Perspective

The Importance of Global Perspective

A. Sociologists also strive to see issues in Global Perspective, defined as the study of the larger world and our society’s place in it.

EXAMPLE: MarriageHigher income women want men who are sensitive, talk openly, who share their feelings.Lower income women wanted a man who doesn’t drink, is not violent, and has a job.We think Sociologically when we realize how the immediate society we belong to and the categories that we associate ourselves with shape our particular life experiences.

A. Sociologists also strive to see issues in Global Perspective, defined as the study of the larger world and our society’s place in it.

EXAMPLE: MarriageHigher income women want men who are sensitive, talk openly, who share their feelings.Lower income women wanted a man who doesn’t drink, is not violent, and has a job.We think Sociologically when we realize how the immediate society we belong to and the categories that we associate ourselves with shape our particular life experiences.

Example: Going to CollegeExample: Going to College

*Around the world 5 out of 100 receive a college degree, 20 years ago going to college was not an option, if your household makes 75k yearly likelihood to attend college higher than someone who earns 20k.

*Is choosing a partner or going to college just a matter of personal choice?

*Around the world 5 out of 100 receive a college degree, 20 years ago going to college was not an option, if your household makes 75k yearly likelihood to attend college higher than someone who earns 20k.

*Is choosing a partner or going to college just a matter of personal choice?

Example: ChildbearingExample: Childbearing

*Average women in India 3, in South Africa 4, in Cambodia 5, in Saudi Arabia 6…WHY?

*Women in poor countries have less schooling, fewer economic opportunities, remain in the home, less likely to use contraception.

*Average women in India 3, in South Africa 4, in Cambodia 5, in Saudi Arabia 6…WHY?

*Women in poor countries have less schooling, fewer economic opportunities, remain in the home, less likely to use contraception.

Example: SuicideExample: Suicide*Emile Durkheim study he found that

some categories of people were more likely than others to take their own lives in contrast people with strong social ties had low suicide rates, whereas more individualistic categories of people had higher suicide rates.

*In 2000 suicide more common for males than females, white males more than white females.

*Emile Durkheim study he found that some categories of people were more likely than others to take their own lives in contrast people with strong social ties had low suicide rates, whereas more individualistic categories of people had higher suicide rates.

*In 2000 suicide more common for males than females, white males more than white females.

B. There are three different types of nations in the world.B. There are three different types of nations in the world.

1. The world’s higher-income countries are industrialized nations in which most people have relatively high incomes.

2. The world’s middle-income countries have limited industrialization and moderate personal income.

1. The world’s higher-income countries are industrialized nations in which most people have relatively high incomes.

2. The world’s middle-income countries have limited industrialization and moderate personal income.

3. The world’s low-income countries have little industrialization and most people are poor.

4. Global Sociology Box-The Global

Village: A Social Snapshot of Our World. Think of the population breakdown if the world were a village of one thousand people. What would be the breakdown? Who would be the wealthy and the poor? Who would control the majority of the wealth? Some really good questions to think about . . .

3. The world’s low-income countries have little industrialization and most people are poor.

4. Global Sociology Box-The Global

Village: A Social Snapshot of Our World. Think of the population breakdown if the world were a village of one thousand people. What would be the breakdown? Who would be the wealthy and the poor? Who would control the majority of the wealth? Some really good questions to think about . . .

5. Global thinking is an important component of the sociological perspective for four reasons:

5. Global thinking is an important component of the sociological perspective for four reasons:

A. Where we live makes a great difference in shaping our lives.

B. Societies the world over are increasingly interconnected, making traditional distinctions between “us” and “them” less and less valid

C. Many human problems faced in the United States are far more serious elsewhere.

D. Thinking globally is a good way to learn more about ourselves.

A. Where we live makes a great difference in shaping our lives.

B. Societies the world over are increasingly interconnected, making traditional distinctions between “us” and “them” less and less valid

C. Many human problems faced in the United States are far more serious elsewhere.

D. Thinking globally is a good way to learn more about ourselves.

6. WINDOW TO THE WORLD

6. WINDOW TO THE WORLD

Economic Development in Global PerspectiveIn higher-income countries, a highly productive economy provides people with abundant materials. Middle-income countries are less economically productive while low-income countries have severe and extensive poverty. In extremely poor nations very little food, clean water, and appropriate shelter. Many countries like these are run by corrupt governments.

Applying the Sociological Perspective

Applying the Sociological Perspective

A. Certain situations like the following promote a sociological way of viewing reality.

1.Experiencing social marginality, the state of being excluded from social activity as an “outsider”. People at the margins of social life are aware of social patterns that others rarely think about.2. Living through periods of social crisis like the Great Depression or the 1960s.

A. Certain situations like the following promote a sociological way of viewing reality.

1.Experiencing social marginality, the state of being excluded from social activity as an “outsider”. People at the margins of social life are aware of social patterns that others rarely think about.2. Living through periods of social crisis like the Great Depression or the 1960s.

B. Benefits of the sociological perspective.

B. Benefits of the sociological perspective.

1. The sociological perspective helps us asses the truth of “common sense.”

2. The sociological perspective helps us asses both opportunities and constraints in our lives.

3. The sociological perspective empowers us to be active participants in our society.

4. The sociological perspective helps us to live in a diverse world.

1. The sociological perspective helps us asses the truth of “common sense.”

2. The sociological perspective helps us asses both opportunities and constraints in our lives.

3. The sociological perspective empowers us to be active participants in our society.

4. The sociological perspective helps us to live in a diverse world.

The application of Sociology

The application of SociologyC. The application of sociology is evident in

the role that sociology has had in shaping public policy and law in many ways. A background in sociology is also good preparation for the working world. An increasing number of sociologists work in any sorts of applied fields.

1. CRITICAL THINKING BOX- The Sociological Imagination: Turning Personal Problems into Public Issues. The power of the sociological perspective lies not just in changing individual lives but in transforming society.

C. The application of sociology is evident in the role that sociology has had in shaping public policy and law in many ways. A background in sociology is also good preparation for the working world. An increasing number of sociologists work in any sorts of applied fields.

1. CRITICAL THINKING BOX- The Sociological Imagination: Turning Personal Problems into Public Issues. The power of the sociological perspective lies not just in changing individual lives but in transforming society.

The origins of SociologyThe origins of SociologyA. Three major social changes during the 17th

and 18th centuries are important to the development of sociology.

1.The rise of a factory-based industrial economy.

2. The emergence of great cities in Europe.

3. Political changes, including a rising concern with individual liberty and rights. The French Rev. symbolized this dramatic break with political and social tradition.

A. Three major social changes during the 17th and 18th centuries are important to the development of sociology.

1.The rise of a factory-based industrial economy.

2. The emergence of great cities in Europe.

3. Political changes, including a rising concern with individual liberty and rights. The French Rev. symbolized this dramatic break with political and social tradition.

Auguste ComteAuguste Comte

B. Auguste Comte believed that the major goal of sociology was to understand society as it actually operates. Comte favored positivism- a way of understanding based on science. Comte saw sociology as the product of a three-stage historical development:

1. The theological stage, in which thought was guided by religion.

2. The metaphysical stage, a transitional phase.

3. The scientific stage.

B. Auguste Comte believed that the major goal of sociology was to understand society as it actually operates. Comte favored positivism- a way of understanding based on science. Comte saw sociology as the product of a three-stage historical development:

1. The theological stage, in which thought was guided by religion.

2. The metaphysical stage, a transitional phase.

3. The scientific stage.

Auguste ComteAuguste Comte

C. Auguste Comte and Karl Marx are well-known political pioneers of sociology. Other sociological pioneers who made important contributions include Harriet Martineau, Jane Addams, and William Edward Burghardt Du Bois, all pushed to the margins of society.

C. Auguste Comte and Karl Marx are well-known political pioneers of sociology. Other sociological pioneers who made important contributions include Harriet Martineau, Jane Addams, and William Edward Burghardt Du Bois, all pushed to the margins of society.

Sociological TheorySociological Theory

A. A theory is a statement of how and why specific facts are related. The goal of sociological theory is to explain social behavior in the real world. For example SEEING OURSELVES-National Map 1-1 shows suicide rates across the United States.

B. Theories are based on Theoretical Paradigms, sets of assumptions that guide thinking and research. Sociologists ask 2 basic ?: what issues should we study? How should we connect the facts? There are 3 major Sociological Paradigms:

A. A theory is a statement of how and why specific facts are related. The goal of sociological theory is to explain social behavior in the real world. For example SEEING OURSELVES-National Map 1-1 shows suicide rates across the United States.

B. Theories are based on Theoretical Paradigms, sets of assumptions that guide thinking and research. Sociologists ask 2 basic ?: what issues should we study? How should we connect the facts? There are 3 major Sociological Paradigms:

The ParadigmsThe Paradigms1. The structural-functional paradigms is

a framework for building theory that sees society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stability.

a. It asserts that our lives are guided by social functions( relatively stable patterns of social behavior)

b. Each social structure has social functions, or consequences, for the operation of society as a whole.

1. The structural-functional paradigms is a framework for building theory that sees society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stability.

a. It asserts that our lives are guided by social functions( relatively stable patterns of social behavior)

b. Each social structure has social functions, or consequences, for the operation of society as a whole.

Key TheoristsKey TheoristsC. Key figures in the development of this

paradigm include Auguste Comte, Emily Durkheim, Herbert Spencer, and Talcott Parasons.

D. Robert Merton introduced 3 concepts related to social functions:1. Manifest functions, the recognized and unintended consequences of any social pattern2. Latent functions, largely unrecognized and unintended consequences 3. Social dysfunctions, undesirable consequences of a social pattern for the operation of society.

C. Key figures in the development of this paradigm include Auguste Comte, Emily Durkheim, Herbert Spencer, and Talcott Parasons.

D. Robert Merton introduced 3 concepts related to social functions:1. Manifest functions, the recognized and unintended consequences of any social pattern2. Latent functions, largely unrecognized and unintended consequences 3. Social dysfunctions, undesirable consequences of a social pattern for the operation of society.

E. Critical Evaluations:E. Critical Evaluations:

The influence of this paradigm has declined in recent decades.

1. It focuses on stability, thereby ignoring inequalities of social class, race and gender.

The influence of this paradigm has declined in recent decades.

1. It focuses on stability, thereby ignoring inequalities of social class, race and gender.

2. The social-conflict Paradigm

2. The social-conflict Paradigm

Is a framework for building theory that sees society as in arena of inequality that generates conflict and change. Most sociologists who favor the conflict paradigm attempt not only to understand society but also to reduce social inequality.A. Key figures in this tradition include Karl Marx and W. E. B. Du Bois.

Is a framework for building theory that sees society as in arena of inequality that generates conflict and change. Most sociologists who favor the conflict paradigm attempt not only to understand society but also to reduce social inequality.A. Key figures in this tradition include Karl Marx and W. E. B. Du Bois.

B. Critical evaluation B. Critical evaluation

1. It ignores social unity based on mutual independence and shared values.

2. Because it is explicitly political, it cannot claim scientific objectivity.

3. Like the structural-function paradigm, it envisions society in terms of broad abstractions.

1. It ignores social unity based on mutual independence and shared values.

2. Because it is explicitly political, it cannot claim scientific objectivity.

3. Like the structural-function paradigm, it envisions society in terms of broad abstractions.

C. Diversity: Race, Class, and Gender Box- An early Pioneer: Du Bois on Race. Du Bois, one of sociology’s pioneers, wanted to apply sociology to solving the problems of his time, especially racial inequality.

C. Diversity: Race, Class, and Gender Box- An early Pioneer: Du Bois on Race. Du Bois, one of sociology’s pioneers, wanted to apply sociology to solving the problems of his time, especially racial inequality.

Symbolic-interaction Paradigm

Symbolic-interaction Paradigm

Is a framework for building theory that sees society as the product of the everyday interactions of individuals.A. The structural-functional and the social-conflict paradigms share a macro-level orientation, meaning that they focus on broad social structures that shape society as a whole. In contrast symbolic-interactionism has a micro-level orientation; it focuses on patterns of social interaction in specific settings.

Is a framework for building theory that sees society as the product of the everyday interactions of individuals.A. The structural-functional and the social-conflict paradigms share a macro-level orientation, meaning that they focus on broad social structures that shape society as a whole. In contrast symbolic-interactionism has a micro-level orientation; it focuses on patterns of social interaction in specific settings.

B. Key figures in the development of this paradigm include Max Weber, George Herbert Mead, Erving Goffman, George Homans, and Peter Blau.

C. Critical evaluation: Symbolic interactionism attempts to explain more clearly how individuals actually experience society. However it has 2 weaknesses:

B. Key figures in the development of this paradigm include Max Weber, George Herbert Mead, Erving Goffman, George Homans, and Peter Blau.

C. Critical evaluation: Symbolic interactionism attempts to explain more clearly how individuals actually experience society. However it has 2 weaknesses:

1. It’s micro-orientation sometimes results in the error of ignoring the influence of larger social structures.

2. By emphasizing what is unique, it risks overlooking the effect culture, class, gender, and race.

1. It’s micro-orientation sometimes results in the error of ignoring the influence of larger social structures.

2. By emphasizing what is unique, it risks overlooking the effect culture, class, gender, and race.

4.Applying the Paradigm. The sociology of sports.

4.Applying the Paradigm. The sociology of sports.

a. The functions of sports. A structural-function approach directs attention to the ways sports help society to operate.

b. Sports and conflict. A social-conflict analysis points out that sports are closely linked to social inequality.

c. Sports as interaction. The symbolic-interaction paradigm sees sports less as a system that as an ongoing process.

a. The functions of sports. A structural-function approach directs attention to the ways sports help society to operate.

b. Sports and conflict. A social-conflict analysis points out that sports are closely linked to social inequality.

c. Sports as interaction. The symbolic-interaction paradigm sees sports less as a system that as an ongoing process.

5. Controversy and Debate box

5. Controversy and Debate box

Is sociology nothing more that stereotypes? In contrast to stereotypes, good sociology involves making generalizations, but with 3 important conditions.

a.Sociologists do not indiscriminately apply any generalization to all individuals.

b. Sociologists are careful that a generalizations squares with available facts.

c.Sociologists offer generalizations fair-mindedly, with interest in getting at the truth.

Is sociology nothing more that stereotypes? In contrast to stereotypes, good sociology involves making generalizations, but with 3 important conditions.

a.Sociologists do not indiscriminately apply any generalization to all individuals.

b. Sociologists are careful that a generalizations squares with available facts.

c.Sociologists offer generalizations fair-mindedly, with interest in getting at the truth.