Chapter 1 - Intro. To Sociology

What is sociology? -ology? Soci- ? The study of social groups and how social groups influence -and are influenced by-the people who live within them.

What are some social groups that you belong to? Family -- movie audience -- clubs School -- class -- bus passenger Church -- lunch table -- queue member

Sociological Perspective - focus on group never individual Boy joins a gang Woman gets divorced Teen commits suicide How would a psychologist analyze these behaviors? How would a sociologist analyze these behaviors?

Social Structure The PATTERNED interaction of people in social relationships EXAMPLE # 1: the “typical classroom” EXAMPLE #2: Bronze analogy EXAMPLE #3 “Mob Mentality”

Why study sociology? Sociological imagination - the ability to see the relationship between events in personal life and events in society. EXAMPLE: Family size

3 Major Theoretical Perspectives 1. Functionalism - emphasizes the contributions (functions) of each part of society. See parts of society as integrated whole change in one part=change in other parts society returns to state of stability after upheaval society tends to have consensus on values

Theoretical Perspectives cont’d- 2. Conflict Perspective a society experiences inconsistency/conflict everywhere society is continuously subject to change society involves the constant coercion of some members by others

Theoretical Perspectives cont’d- 3. Symbolic Interaction - approach that focuses on the interactions among people based on mutually understood symbols

Symbolic Interaction cont’d People’s interpretation of symbols are based on meanings they learn from others people base their interaction(behavior)on the interpretation of symbols Symbols permit people to have internal conversations.They can gear their behavior to the behavior that they think others expect of them.

Review Review Worksheet Questions?? Quiz Chapter 1