Introduction to Sociology Ch. 1

EQ- What is sociology? How does sociology differ from other social science disciplines? Journal Log- Create 3-5 questions you would ask these people to better understand their society.

Also– History, Economics, & Political Science Sociology, psychology, and anthropology are similar social sciences, but each of these sciences studies differing aspects of humanity. Sociology studies the interactions between people and the phenomena that those interactions create, such as social structure, institutions, stratifications, and collective behavior. EX) relationship between the employment of women and family size Psychology studies the individual by researching brain function and finding out why people do the things they do. EX) effects of birth order on emotional development Anthropology studies humanity and culture and can be broken down into four sub-fields: linguistic, cultural, physical, and archaeological Ex) Nature of families in preliterate societies Also– History, Economics, & Political Science

Comparing Sociology to Other Social Sciences SIMILAR: examines the relations between society and culture, the individual economics, politics, and past events which are all the focus of one or more of the social sciences DIFFERENT: sociologists are mainly interested in social interaction and tend to focus on the group rather than the individual

Sociology does not focus on individual people Sociology does not focus on individual people. Instead, it studies groups within society; sociologists perform research in order to find patterns of behavior that explain what factors drive certain groups toward certain behaviors. Gangs, Divorce, Suicide

A sociologist explains human behavior on social or societal factors A sociologist explains human behavior on social or societal factors. Write down whether each of the following offers a personal / individual cause for behavior or a social / societal cause for behavior. 1. Someone who can’t find a job is lazy. 2. Immigrants come to the U.S. because American wages are higher. 3. Homelessness is usually the result of substance abuse. 4. Many teenagers commit suicide because of peer group expectations of physical appearance. 5. Someone who can’t find a job is the result of the economic recession.

Understanding the significances of studying human behavior activity Create a list of as many things as you can think of to describe yourself. Review you list and then cross off everything listed that describes yourself as an individual. (hair color, academic achievements) Leave all the things that describe you in terms of your relationships with others. (positions in your family, groups and friends) All of those items still listed are indications that we are not simply members of a society but that we also identify ourselves in social terms.

Historical Examples What were the effects of some of these events on society? Indian Removal Act (1830) promoted ideas that Native Americans were inferior savages, instilling in society that whites were superior to other races. The Emancipation Proclamation (1863) proclaimed that all slaves in the Confederacy were to be freed, giving African Americans civil liberties. This act led to the 13th Amendment, and later Jim Crow Laws revoking the rights of Blacks, and resentment of the act furthered racist sentiment and racial violence for over 100 years.

Groups v. Individuals Durkheim’s example of bronze as a new element (not just a sum of its parts) is similar to people being put together in a group and acting differently than they would as an individual. Members of groups think, feel, and behave in similar ways – eating habits, dress, religious beliefs, attitude toward social structure.

Groups v. Individuals Why do members of groups think, feel, and behave in similar ways? Do all members of groups think exactly the same thing? Individuals conform to a group because they have been taught and conditioned to do so, even if they personally disagree with some of the values of the group.

The Sociological Perspective Perspective is a particular point of view. We all see what is happening around us through our own perspective, our own point of view. Sociologist also focus on how previous experiences contribute to our understanding and perspective (point of view). As members of a society we are always interpreting what we hear and see based on our own perspective and this molds our behavior.

Eurocentric view of the World

The Sociological Imagination C. Wright Mills – the sociological imagination is the ability of individuals to see the relationship between events in their personal lives and events in their society. C. Wright Mills describes this as: “the capacity to range from the most impersonal and remote to the most intimate features of the human self- and to see the relations between the two.” Becoming more socially aware allows us to make our own decisions and develop a better understanding of events. It challenges conventional social wisdom.

Examining Social Life Teacher Future of the world Teacher SOCIOLOGICAL IMAGINATION SOCIOLOGICAL IMAGINATION My connection between the larger world and my own personal life. My connection between the larger world and my own personal life.

Examining Social Life Individual Donating Blood Teacher Future of the world SOCIOLOGICAL IMAGINATION SOCIOLOGICAL IMAGINATION My connection between the larger world and my own personal life. My connection between the larger world and my own personal life.

SOCIOLOGICAL IMAGINATION Examining Social Life Illustration SOCIOLOGICAL IMAGINATION ? ? ? Create your own

Theoretical Perspectives Theoretical perspectives are tools for how to think. Attaching meaning to the events that occur in society

Theoretical Perspectives “Perception is the way the brain interprets an image or event. Similarly, perspective is the way you interpret the meaning of an image or event.” Your perspective is influenced by the values and beliefs you hold.

Theoretical Perspectives Theoretical perspectives are ways of evaluating social behavior that can relate to other fields of study (studying habits like smoking – Mad Men & advertising) In other words, each perspective provides a different way of explaining the same societal issue or event. Typically, you will find that you will lean more towards one theoretical perspective in your view of society.

Three Main Theoretical Perspectives Differ in Focus FUNCTIONALISTS – see society as a set of interrelated parts that work together to produce a stable social system; focus on functions and dysfunctions CONFLICT THEORISTS – focus on forces in society that promote competition and change; see social change as an inevitable feature of society SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISTS – focus on how individuals interact in society and on the meanings individuals attach to their own and to other’s actions These perspectives are different from one another and allow us to see most of the important dimensions of human behavior.

Which perspective is the best? You cannot rely on just one of these perspectives or you will miss the big picture. F, CT, and SI must all be used when evaluating social behavior [peeling back the layers of an onion]. Remember, no single perspective can adequately explain all social relationships – some just may have a better “take” than others.

Question: How can having a sociological perspective help one look beyond commonly held beliefs to the hidden meanings behind human actions?

Examining Social Life 1. The sociological perspective helps you see that all people are social beings. 2. It tells you that your behavior is influenced by social factors and that your learned behavior is influenced from others. The clothes that you wear. Voting for the same candidate as your parents. 3. The sociological perspective allows you to see beyond your own day to day life by viewing the world through other’s eyes.

Examining Social Life Using the Sociological perspective is a fresh way of looking at a familiar surrounding. Look at paperweight / snow globe with the snow scene in it. This represents a microcosm (a little world) of society. You are not part of that society, you are separated from it and therefore, are able to see it from all angels with an objective perspective. This is the perspective of sociologist. It has no biases, no prejudices. This is how one should study societies throughout the world.