SOCIOLOGY Richard T. Schaefer 1 Understanding Sociology

1. Understanding Sociology What is Sociology? What Is Sociological Theory? The Development of Sociology Major Theoretical Perspectives Developing a Sociological Imagination Sociology in the Global Economy Applied and Clinical Sociology

What is Sociology? Sociology Systematic study of social behavior in human groups Influence of social relationships How those relationships influence behavior How societies develop and change

What is Sociology? The Sociological Imagination Awareness of relationship between an individual and the wider society (C. Wright Mills) Ability to view one’s society as an outsider, rather than from perspective of our limited experiences and cultural biases Goes beyond personal experiences and observations

What is Sociology? Sociology and the Social Sciences Science: body of knowledge obtained by methods based on systematic observation Natural Science: study of physical features of nature and ways they interact and change Social Science: study of social features of humans and ways they interact and change

What is Sociology? Sociology and the Social Sciences Emphasizes the influence that society has on people's attitudes and behavior and the ways in which people interact and thereby shape society Sociology and Common Sense Sociologists test and analyze information they use

What is Sociology? Figure 1-1. Race of Murder Victims Sources: Department of Justice 2005:table 2.3; Death Penalty Information Center 2003

What Is Sociological Theory? Set of statements that seeks to explain problems, actions, or behavior Effective theories have explanatory and predictive power Theories never a final statement about human behavior

The Development of Sociology Early Thinkers Auguste Comte (1798–1857) Coined sociology to apply to the science of human behavior Harriet Martineau (1802–1876) Studied social behavior in Britain and U. S Emphasized impact economy, law, trade, health, and population could have on social problems

The Development of Sociology Early Thinkers Herbert Spencer (1820–1903) Studied “evolutionary” change in society Émile Durkheim (1858–1917) Developed fundamental thesis to help explain all society Anomie: loss of direction felt in a society when social control of individual behavior has become ineffective

The Development of Sociology Max Weber (1864–1920) To fully comprehend behavior, we must learn subjective meanings people attach to their actions, called Vertehen Ideal Type: construct or model for evaluating specific cases

The Development of Sociology Karl Marx (1818-1883) Society fundamentally divided between two classes that clash in pursuit of their own interests Worked with Engles Emphasized group identification and associations that influence one’s place in society Argued working class should overthrow the existing class system

The Development of Sociology Modern Developments Charles Horton Cooley (1864—1929) Increased understanding of groups of relatively small size Jane Addams (1860–1935) Combined intellectual inquiry, social service work, and political activism

The Development of Sociology Modern Developments Robert Merton (1940–2003) Created theory of deviant behavior Emphasized sociology should use “macro-level” and “micro-level” approaches Macrosociology: concentrates on large-scale phenomena or entire civilizations Microsociology: stresses study of small groups, often through experimental means

Major Theoretical Perspectives Functionalist Perspective Emphasizes ways parts of a society are structured to maintain its stability Manifest Functions: institutions are open, stated, conscious functions that involve intended, recognized, consequences of an aspect of society Latent Functions: unconscious or unintended functions that may reflect hidden purposes of an institution Dysfunctions: element or process of a society that may actually disrupt the social system or disrupt it stability

Major Theoretical Perspectives Conflict Perspective Assumes social behavior is best understood in terms of conflict or tension between competing groups The Marxist View: conflict not merely a class phenomenon, but part of everyday life in all societies

Major Theoretical Perspectives Conflict Perspective An African American View: W. E. B. DuBois Conducted research to assist the struggle for a racially egalitarian society Believed knowledge essential to combating prejudice and achieving tolerance and justice In-depth studies of urban life

Major Theoretical Perspectives Feminist Perspective Views inequity in gender as central to all behavior and organization Sometimes allied with conflict theory Also focuses on micro-level relationships, just as interactionists do

Major Theoretical Perspectives Interactionist Perspective Generalizes about everyday forms of social interaction to understand society as a whole Sociological framework for viewing humans as living in a world of meaningful objects Nonverbal communication: can include many gestures, facial expressions, and postures

Major Theoretical Perspectives Interactionist Perspective George Herbert Mead (1863—1931) Erving Goffman (1922—1982) Dramaturgical approach: people seen as theatrical performers

Major Theoretical Perspectives Table 1-1 Comparing Major Theoretical Perspectives Table to be continued on next slide

Major Theoretical Perspectives Table 1-1 Comparing Major Theoretical Perspectives

Major Theoretical Perspectives The Sociological Approach Gain broadest understanding of society by drawing on all major perspectives, noting where they overlap or where they diverge Each perspective offers unique insights into the same issue A researcher’s work always will be guided by his or her theoretical viewpoint

Developing a Sociological Imagination Theory in Practice Research in Action Thinking Globally Globalization: worldwide integration of government policies, cultures, social movements, and financial markets through trade and the exchange of ideas

Developing a Sociological Imagination The Significance of Social Inequality Social inequality: condition in which members of society have differing amounts of wealth, prestige, or power Speaking Across Race, Gender, and Religious Boundaries Social Policy Throughout the World

Sociology in the Global Economy The Global Response to the 2004 Tsunami International relief effort obvious sign of globalization Most devastation hit relatively poor areas of the world

Applied and Clinical Sociology Applied Sociology: discipline of sociology with specific intent of yielding practical applications for human behavior and organizations Clinical Sociology: dedicated to altering social relationships or to restructuring social institutions Basic Sociology: seeks more profound knowledge of the fundamental aspects of social phenomenon