Chapter 1: An Introduction to the Foundations of Sociology Sociologists & The Contributions

6/22/2016 European Origins Sociology is a relatively young science It began in the late 19 th century in Europe During this time, many things were happening and changing how people lived Many people started to look at how the changes in society changed how people lived their everyday lives

6/22/2016 European Functionalists Auguste Comte ( ) is considered the “Father of Sociology” His main concern was improving society. He thought that they only way to do this was to study society scientifically Comte wanted to use scientific observation in the study of social behavior-he called it positivism

6/22/2016 European Functionalists His work primarily revolved around the functionalist theory. He felt that sociology should strive to discover social laws-these would be the foundation for society. Comte also distinguished between social statics and social dynamics. Social statics is the study of social stability and order. Social dynamics is the study of social change.

6/22/2016 European Functionalists Herbert Spencer ( ) explained social stability and society in relation to the human body He was a functionalist in this thoughts on society Coined the theory of Social Darwinism and he used Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution as his backbone Believed that social change led to progress as long as people didn’t interfere He didn’t believe in social programs to aide the poor His theory was very controversial

6/22/2016 European Functionalists Emile Durkheim ( ) believed that society existed because of consensus among the members of society One of the first to use statistics to test his theories Felt that solidarity was the glue that kept society together. Mechanical solidarity was used in pre-industrial times and it stressed widespread agreement on values, beliefs, tradition, family and conformity Organic solidarity was created after industrialization and it stressed social interdependency

American Functionalists Talcott Parsons ( ) focused his work on creating “grand theories” to explain how social systems interconnect. He used the bicycle wheel as an analogy…made up of independent parts but all connected. If working properly, the wheel spins. If one spoke is broken, the wheel will eventually need repaired. Also looked at society based on social action…at rest, stay at rest, in motion, stay in motion until something stops it.

American Functionalists Robert Merton ( ) looked at society by breaking them into parts and studying the parts individually. Become experts in some sub-category: race, gender, crime, population, etc. Major contribution was identifying functions in society. These functions were manifest functions and latent functions.

Criticisms of Functionalism Doesn’t pay enough attention to wealth and power in the creation of society….too important to ignore. Not all buy into the idea that functionalism is like a body and all must work to exist…society exists because it serves some bigger need. Another criticism is that functionalism doesn’t address all the major issues fast enough or with enough emphasis…example in text was homelessness.

6/22/2016 European Conflict Theorists Karl Marx ( ) is considered the founder of the conflict theory He believed that social scientists should use their power to try to change the world and not just study it Was against the class system in the 19 th century industrial Saw the bourgeoisie overworking and exploiting the proletariat for their benefit Wanted a classless society

European Conflict Theorists Marx looked at the haves and have-nots and wondered why so many have-nots didn’t challenge the status quo. His theory states that these people have a false consciousness, or they don’t really understand their place in society. Maybe they think things aren’t as bad as they really are?? He also believed that these workers would need to develop class consciousness, or an understanding of their social standing.

6/22/2016 European Conflict Theorists Harriet Martineau ( ) is another figure in sociology Lost her sense of taste, smell and hearing very young Made a living off writing after her family’s business closed Best known for her translation of Comte’s book Positive Philosophy into English She believed that capitalism and industrialization would provide more opportunities for people who didn’t come from wealthy families Her passion was women’s rights and slaves’ rights in society as noted in her book Society in America

American Conflict Theorists W.E.B DuBois ( ) focused on racial discrimination in American society DuBois also blamed European colonization for problems in Africa…exploited and then left leaving nothing. He tried to fix the “Negro Problem” by looking at different African American groups. His work looked at how poverty among African Americans were because of prejudice and discrimination. Stated that society had a “double consciousness” and if African Americans would assimilate more, they would lead more “better-quality” lives.

American Conflict Theorists Laura Jane Addams ( ) is mostly known for her work in Chicago where she opened the Hull House in 1889 Her work revolved around the thought that poverty was due to “ignorance and social barriers” and not from “failings of the person”. She believed that society needed to focus on the imbalance of power among social classes She was against the idea of people not having a home, or job or medical attention due to poverty Addams was discriminated against during her life because other social scientists didn’t accept her as a sociologist because she didn’t teach at a university

American Conflict Theorists John Bellamy Foster (1953- ) applies the conflict theory to more of an economic angle. Believes that capitalist countries are disappearing from the world. Also states that because of industrialization and capitalism, more environmental and global problems have been created Money & the free market can’t fix these problems…if anything, they’ll make it worse. Used USA after WWII as an example…really a superpower or were we in the right place at the right time?

Criticisms of Conflict Theory Often seen as being too radical Seems like a constant pity party for those who are oppressed However, on flip side, not all conflict is bad…it can allow for some social change that was in the long time coming….example: Civil Rights Movement

Symbolic Interactionists George Herbert Mead ( ) is considered the founder of S. I. Most of his work was published after his death by his students who wanted to share his ideas and beliefs Main component of his theory is that once people understand symbols, they create their SELF (or their identity) This self changes throughout your life as you experience new things and become more confident

Symbolic Interactionists Herbert Blumer ( ) used Mead’s concept of self and established 3 basic thoughts He looked at how some situations are ok, while others are not. Example: “dis” your mama He identified how a person might create two instances that are essentially the same, but yet different Another example from text was racial slurs He also defined contagion…when we act fast without thinking because of a high emotional situation.

Symbolic Interactionists Erving Goffman ( ) developed a theory called dramaturgy. It revolved around the thought that life and social interaction is like a play and people are acting. Sometimes we are “acting” so much that we don’t even realize we’re doing it….are we fake? Kids don’t have much practice…they act and say what they please. As we get older, we learn how to act & react.

Symbolic Interactionists Howard Becker (1928- ) believed in labels and the meanings that are attached to them. These labels can be positive or negative and can lead to “self-fulfilling prophecies” We need to watch out when giving labels because we could be way off and we could influence their behavior without knowing it.

Criticisms of Symbolic Interactionism Some feel that this theory spends too much time and places too much emphasis on the individual and not enough on the social structure & its impact on society

6/22/2016 Special Exception-Max Weber Max Weber ( ) influenced the development of sociological theory He is an exception because all of his work touched on all three theoretical perspectives A major belief of his was that sociologists need to look at society without bias and judgment…it would taint your reserach Weber believed that humans act on the basis of their own understanding of the situation-that sociologists must uncover the meaning behind a personal feelings, beliefs, and attitudes

Special Exception-Max Weber Coined the term verstehen, or the understanding of social behavior of others by putting yourself mentally in their place Put yourself in their shoes & think before you speak Weber also identified rationalization as the mind-set that emphasized the use of knowledge, reason and planning

So…um, now what? Great theoretical perspective graphic on page 24 in your book…..using homelessness as an example. Provides major thought for each theory and a question related to topic.