CH. 1
The Sociological Perspective
Sociology: The scientific study of society and human behavior; structure.
How Groups Influence PeopleMaintains a group focus.
Emphasizes patterned social relationships between members.
How People are Influenced by Their Society Uses social factors to explain human social behavior.
People Who Share a Culture
People Who Share a Territory
Seeing the Broader Social Context
Jobs Income EducationGenderAgeRace/Ethnicity
Social Location - Corners in Life
The Sociological Imagination: History - Location in Broad Stream of Events
Biography - Individual’s Specific Experiences
C. Wright Mills - History and Biography
The Global Village Instant Communication Sociology Studies both the Global Network
and Our Unique Experiences
The Global Context and the Local
The Natural Sciences Explain and Predict Events in Natural Environment
The Social Sciences Examine Human Relationships
Sociology and the Other Sciences
Anthropology Studies Culture
Economics Studies the Production and Distribution of Goods and
Services Political Science
Studies How People Govern Themselves
Sociology and the Other Sciences
Psychology The Study of Processes Within
Individuals Sociology
Similarities to Other Disciplines
Sociology and the Other Sciences
Explain Why Something Happens Make Generalizations Look for Patterns Predict What will Happen Move Beyond Common Sense
The Goal of Science
RISKS OF SOCIOLOGY
Nooks and Crannies People Prefer Hidden
People Feel Threatened by Information
Tradition vs. Science The Industrial Revolution Grew Out of Social Upheaval Imperialism of the Time Rise of the Scientific Method
Origins of Sociology
Applying the Scientific Method to Social World Coined the Term “Sociology” “Armchair Philosophy”
Auguste Comte and Positivism
Second Founder of Sociology Lower and Higher Forms of Society Coined Phrase “Survival of the Fittest”
Herbert Spencer - Social Darwinism
Engine of Human History is Class Conflict The Bourgeoisie vs. The Proletariat Marxism Not the Same as Communism
Karl Marx and Class Conflict
Got Sociology Recognized as Separate Discipline Studied How Social Forces Affect Behavior Identified “Social Integration” - Degree to Which
People are Tied to Social Group
Durkheim and Social Integration
Religion and the Origin of Capitalism Religion is Central Force in Social Change Protestant Ethic and Spirit of Capitalism
Max Weber and the Protestant Ethic
First Took Root in 1890 at University of Kansas Spread Rapidly in Next 20 Years Not at Harvard until 1930 American Journal of Sociology 1895
Sociology in North America
Attitudes of the Time 1800s Sex Roles Rigidly Defined Few People Educated Beyond Basics
Harriet Martineau Published Society in America Before Durkheim and
Weber Were Born Her Work was Ignored
Sexism in Early Sociology
B.A. from Fisk University First Harvard Ph.D. for African American Published a Book Each Year from 1896-
1914 Neglected by Sociologist Until Recently
Racism at the Time: W.E.B Du Bois
Member of American Sociological Society from Start
Came from Background of Wealth and Privilege Co-Founded Hull House Co-Founded American Civil Liberties Union
Jane Addams: Sociologist and Social Reformer
Sociology Should be Value-Free Sociology Should be Objective Research Should Involve Replication Goals and Uses of Sociology
Change or just explore? Applied sociology
Values in Sociological Research
Symbolic Interactionism - How People Use Symbols in Everyday Life
Applying Symbolic Interactionism - Changing the Meaning of Symbols Affects Expectations
Theoretical Perspectives
Society is a Whole Unit Made Up of Interrelated Parts that Work Together
Functionalism, Structural Functionalism
Robert Merton: Functions
• MANIFEST• LATENT
Dysfunctions
Functional Analysis
Karl Marx and Conflict Theory Conflict Theory Today Feminists and Conflict Theory Applying Conflict Theory
Conflict Theory
Functionalists and Conflict Theorists - Macro Level
Symbolic Interactionists - Micro Level
Microsociology – interest in the interaction of people “within” social structures; investigates relationships within groups
Macrosociology – interest in the “intersection” of social structures; focuses on groups as a whole
Levels of Analysis
Theoretical Perspectives in Sociology
Theory CriticismsFunctionalism • Tends to legitimize the status quo.
• Neglects social change.• Assumes that society benefits
everyone.Conflict Theory • Overlooks forces of stability in
society.• Assumes that only the ruling class
benefits from the way society operates.• Assumes the working class does not
know it is subordinate. Symbolic Interaction • Sometimes fails to take the larger
picture into account.• Does not consider the impact of
social forces and/or social structures.
Theoretical Criticisms
Sociology Full Circle: Reform vs. Research Diversity of Orientations Applied/Public Sociology Globalization
Trends Shaping the Future