An Introduction to Sociology

What is Sociology? Sociology is the study of human interaction, social groups, and society Experiences are the most important part of interaction. Sociology studies how we act and react to the experiences we have with the world around us. Sociology is based on our perspective (point of view)

When did Sociology Begin? Developed between 1780 and 1838 Auguste Comte “Father of Sociology” Philosophers looking for a way to study How society is held together How society changes How society can be improved Sociological Theory Theory: how and why facts are related Sociological Theory: explains social behavior in the real world

Sociological and Global Perspective Sociology teaches us that… We should challenge commonly held beliefs Where we live makes a great difference in shaping our lives Thinking globally is a good way to learn more about ourselves Problems we face in the United States are more serious elsewhere Societies are increasingly interconnected.

Personal Choice in Social Context Sociologists understand that human behavior is simply a matter of what people decide to do based on what society wants Examples: Clothes: What do I wear today? Friends/Cliques: Who should I hang out with?

Using the Sociological Perspective Social Marginality: Being on the outside of the mainstreams of social, political or economic life People on the margin of mainstream beliefs are better able to use the sociological perspective or see things from another person’s point of view.

The Study of Sociology Develop Generalizations: Sociologists identify general social patterns in the behavior of particular individuals Sociologists look at personal choice in social context: Individuals are unique (choices) but, society’s social forces (circumstances) shape us into “types” of people (conformity) This is different from stereotyping

What is a Stereotype? Generalizations are not stereotypes Stereotype: Exaggerated description applied to every person in some category Generalization: Perceiving of a similarity or relation between different groups of people

Approaches to Sociology Perspectives of Human Interaction

Structural-Functional Approach Definition: Society is a complex system whose parts work together to help the society function Elements: Social Structure: how society is set up Social Function: how society works Can overlook that society is not always stable and orderly Descriptive word(s): Structure and Function

Social Conflict Approach Definition: Society contains inequalities that generate conflict and change Elements: Social Class, Race, Ethnicity, Gender, Sexual Orientation, and Age Unequal distribution of wealth, power, education, and prestige Does not always acknowledge shared values and interdependence of a society Descriptive Word(s): Inequality

Symbolic-Interaction Approach Definition: Society is a product of everyday interactions of individuals Elements: Macro-level orientation: focus out Micro-level orientation: focus in Can overlook widespread influence of culture, class, race, or gender Descriptive Word(s): Experiences

Applying Sociological Perspective in Sports What is the structure and function of a team? Does race play a part in professional sports? How do interactions on the field impact the fans at home?

Discuss… How are societies all over the world increasingly connected and what are the consequences of these links? Describe an incident in which you were a new member of a group and in which your marginality made it easier for you to observe something about that group which was not evident to those who had been in it longer. What sociological insights can the three theoretical approaches give us about the American educational system?