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.