Sociology

• Auguste Comte coined the

term ‘sociology’ in 1839

• Socious –companion and

logus –science

science of society and social

interactions taking place

Characteristics

• Sociology is…

neutral –how men behave

a study of human social life –human

interactions

a science –factual basis

Significance

• know one’s role in the group

• understand man’s

weaknesses

• promote world

peace

Conditions in generalization:

Don’t apply generalization to

all individual.

Be factual.

Be fair-minded and truthful.

Subdivisions

•Communication and Public Opinion

•Criminology

•Demography

•The Family

•Industrial Sociology

•Medical Sociology

•Methodology as Social Research

•Occupational Sociology

•Political Sociology

•Race and Ethnic Relations

• Rural Sociology

• Social Disorganization

• Social Psychology

• Social Stratification

• Sociology Theory

• Sociology of Arts

• Sociology of Complex Organizations

• Sociology of Education

• Sociology of Law

• Sociology of Religion

• Sociology of Small Groups

Social Science -group of related discipline

that studies various aspects of human

behaviour

Related Social Sciences

•Anthropology –importance of race

difference in culture and socialization

Physical Anthropology

Socio-cultural Anthropology

•Social Psychology - how a group influence

a person

•Economics - dependent upon government,

public opinion, family life and migration

• Political Science –laws are connected with

culture and social organization

• History -important for sociological

interpretation

Theories

Theory

set of logically interrelated parts.

Perspective(theoretical framework)

over all approach/viewpoint on

some subject.

Three major theoretical

perspectives

1. Functionalist

society is stable, orderly system.

>majority of the members in the

society share common values,

beliefs and behavioral expectations.

2. Conflicts groups in society are engaged in a

continuous struggle for control of

scarce resources.

ex: politics, negotiations, family, and

financial problems.

3. Symbolic Interactionist

focuses on a day to day

interaction and their behavior in

groups.

Contributors

Auguste Comte (1798-1857)

-born on Southern France, from aristocrat & conservative family

career’s focus: developing and promoting his theory of positivism where in scientific method should be applied to the study f society.

Course de Philosophie Positive

( Law of three stage)

1. Theological stage(ended up until 1300)

>all natural phenomena and social events occur due to supernatural forces and gods/goddesses culminating

2. Metaphysical stage(1300-1800AD)

>explanations in supernatural forces were more systematic than the gods of the past.

3. Positivist stage(1800 onwards)

>explanations were based on science and empirical experiments to expose the reality.

Emile Durkheim (1885-1917)

>first French sociologist with a

doctors degree in sociology

from University of Paris(1892)

Social phenomena

>social fact with distinctive

social characteristics and

determinant.

Suicide

>influenced by social forces and

not the individual matter.

Max Weber (1864-1920)

>German economist from

University of Heidelberg

“People give in their interactions

with others.”

“Subjective methods and

quantitative methods should

be use in social actions.”

Karl Marx (1818-1883)

>German economist and

philosopher

Capitalism

an insatiable search from profit,

inequality, exploitation and

oppression. Human society

evolve to a more perfect state

where in there’s equality and

capitalist economic system will

be overthrown

introduced Sociology in the Philippines

in University of Sto. Tomas (1896)

1. Social Philosophy

2. Problem-oriented Discipline

3. Scientific Approach

taught until 1950’s

little emphasis on scientific nature of sociology

introduced by Serafin E. Macaraig

government and private agencies become aware of the importance of social facts in decision-making process.

Benicio T. Catapusan – collected data about Rural Philippines for the Government which paved away to the distribution of economic aid to different regions.

1952 - Filipino educators and visiting professors of UP, ADMU and SilimanUniversity organized the Philippine Sociological Society.

- Increase knowledge about social behaviour

- Gather data for possible solutions on social problem

- Train teachers and researchers

- Develop cooperation and unity among social scientists in the Philippines.

formed in 1968

different disciplines of SS contribute to

the development of Philippines and

Filipinos.

held on Nov.17-19,1983

theme: “Towards Excellence in the

Social Sciences of the Philippines”

attributes link between researchers and policy makers.

in 1990s there’s a collaboration of SS theories and methodologies, and various sectors (NGOS, government, academics, people org., women’s group)

“the role of sociologists as developing its research capabilities at the service information, effective delivery systems and monitoring and evaluation of private and government agencies.”

Methods

of

Sociological

Research

Scientific Method

Systematically planned and

objective investigations of

some questions /problems

connected to a certain

phenomena .

1. Field Research

Study of social life in its natural setting .

- Observing ( natural, contrive/fixed and participant observation ) and interviewing people where they live , work and play

Observation

• Natural – observe from afar to avoid changes in natural phenomenon .

• Contrived – setting up variables/situation to determine how people react to it .

• Participant – observer seek insights by taking part on whatever he’s studying

2. Secondary Analysis of

Existing Data

Public records , raw data by

other researches

• Content Analysis – there’s

regular pattern / frequency .

3. Survey research

Subject respond to a

series of statements /

questions in the

questionnaire/interview

Closed-ended format – there’s fixed

response.

Open-ended format – free expression

of opinion.

Question –series of written

questions

Interview –series of questions

asked orally

4. Experiment

Researcher studies the impact of

certain variables on subject’s

attitude/behavior.

Based on real – life situation but

artificial.

• Experimental group – exposed to

independent variables.

• Control group – dependent variables

Role of

Sociologist

Activist -challenges position and

argues that it’s impossible to be “

value-free” or support the status quo

in temporary society.

Traditional /conservative view

-make a firm and conscious

position of neutrality to avoid

biases in data and results of

investigations.

Role: provide legislators with objective data that’ll form the basis of their decisions and

actions

Career: Sociology is a qualification for

civil service job , masteral and doctoral

degrees .

• Area of instructions , research

and administration in colleges and

universities.

• Consultants , research

technicians and administrators in

social welfare organizations and

government agencies.