Sociology Chapter 1 The Sociological Point of View Section 1: Examining Social Life Section 2: Sociology: Then and Now

What is Sociology? the social science that studies human society & social behavior

Social Sciences?  Study the "humanistic" aspects of the world, while placing an emphasis on experimentation and using the scientific method  Subjects: anthropology, linguistics and education, political science, archaeology, criminology, economics, history, communication studies, international relations, human geography and psychology  Other fields, such as law, cross-cultural studies, environmental studies & social work

Comparing Sociology to Other Social Sciences  SIMILARITIES: Sociology examines the relations between society & culture -  the individual economics, politics, & past events, which are all the focus of one or more of the social sciences  DIFFERENCES: Sociology is mainly interested in social interaction  tend to focus on the group rather than on the individual

Sociologists study all aspects and levels of society. A society is a group of people whose members interact, reside in a definable area share a culture

Help you better understand yourself & the world around you Look at social life in a scientific way rather than rely on “common-sense” explanations

Social Interaction  how people relate to & influence each other  Often looked at through a group perspective, rather than the individual  While observing these groups, sociologists notice social phenomena - facts & events that involve human society

Sociological Perspective Behavior is learned from others Behavior is influenced by social factors Balance is needed between personal desires and the demands of immediate environment

helps us understand the hidden meanings behind human actions Helps us assess the truth of common sense Helps us assess both opportunities and constraints in our lives Helps us live in a diverse world Empowers us to be active participants in our society

Sociological Imagination (C. Wright Mills, 1959)  The ability to see the connection between the larger world and your personal life  Provides insight into how your social environment shapes you and vice versa  Transforms personal problems into public issues

Understanding Sociological Imagination  Consider the following issues in terms of the sociological imagination:  Drinking & driving  Speed limits  No smoking laws  Now, think of 1-2 examples of your own

The Origins of Sociology  Rapid social & political changes that took place in Europe due to Industrial Revolution  Rapid growth of urban populations produced a multitude of social problems  Over time, it became more difficult to ignore the effect of society on the individual  Sweeping political, economic & social changes caused some scholars to question the traditional explanations of life & they attempted to prove their beliefs using a variety of methods 14

Comte Spencer Marx Durkheim Weber Early Sociologists founder Social Darwinism Fathers of Sociology

Theory & Perspective Theory: a statement that attempts to explain how and why facts are related Explains social behavior in the real world Theoretical Perspective: a set of fundamental assumptions that guide thinking (a viewpoint)

Auguste Comte (France, 1798-1857) (Functionalist Perspective) Founder of Sociology as a distinct subject (coined the term sociology) Theories focused on the social order & social change due to the French Revolution Social Statics – how a society is held together Social Dynamics – how a society changes

(influenced development of Conflict Theory) Karl Marx (Germany, 1818-1883) (influenced development of Conflict Theory) Focused on the role of social class in inequality and social conflict Theory - Society is separated into two classes fortunate, fortunate, privileges, privileges, Capitalists ( Workers ( $$$) Workers will revolt, overthrow & implement a classless society in which all the parts worked for the whole

Theory - Society is like the human body Herbert Spencer (England, 1820-1903) (Social Darwinism; Functionalist Perspective) Strongly influenced by Charles Darwin Theory - Society is like the human body Society is a set of interdependent parts that work together to maintain the system over time Social change & unrest are natural occurrences allowing society to evolve towards stability & perfection Leave societal ills alone, allowing the “fittest societies to survive”

Emile Durkheim (France, 1858-1917) (Functionalist Perspective) Focused on the function of religion in maintaining order Theory -shared beliefs & values are the glue holding a society together Thought sociologists should only study what can be directly observed (naked eye) Conducted the first true sociological study - Suicide, 1897

Max Weber (Germany, 1864-1920) (Interactionist Perspective) Focused on separate groups within society Theory - sociologists should attempt to uncover feelings & thoughts of individuals Verstehen – understand the meanings individuals attach to their actions; “Walk a mile in my shoes” Led sociologists to focus more on the effect society has on the individual

Three Current Sociological Perspectives Functionalist Conflict Theory Interactionist

Functionalist Perspective The Basics Focused on society in general Views society as a complex system whose parts function to promote stability Key Elements: Most people agree on what is best for society & work together Interests include the function family, education, etc., serve in society

Conflict Perspective  The Basics:  Key Elements:  Focused on groups within society and on the forces that promote competition and change  View power as the core of all social relationships  Interested in all types of competition – violent, as well as non-violent  Social change is inevitable  Key Elements:  Competition over scarce resources is the basis of social conflict  Wealth and power are limited  Dominant group vs. disadvantaged group relations

Interactionist Perspective The Basics Focused on how individuals interact with one another Views society as the product of everyday interactions of individuals Key Elements Interested in the role symbols play in daily lives Interested in topics such as child development, relationships within groups and mate selection

Critical Evaluation of Perspectives Functionalist Perspective  Too broad, ignores inequalities of social class, race & gender, focuses on stability at the expense of conflict Conflict Theory Perspective  Too broad, ignores how shared values and mutual interdependence unify society, pursues political goals Interactionist Perspective  Too narrow, ignores larger social structures, effects of culture, factors such as class, gender & race

Diversity in Early Sociology Feminism & the Gender-Conflict Approach  Focuses on inequality & conflict between women and men  Closely linked to feminism: the advocacy of social equality for women and men  Who’s Who: Harriet Martineau: Theory and Practice of Society in America, 1837; translated Comte’s, Positive Philosophy  Jane Addams: Hull House, Chicago’s West Side, 1889

Harriet Martineau (England, 1802-1876) (Feminist Perspective)  social theorist, often cited as the first female sociologist Prolific writer and social theorist, Often cited as the first female sociologist Theory and Practice of Society in America, 1837; also translated Comte’s, Positive Philosophy

Jane Addams (USA, 1860-1935) (feminist perspective) Reformer, co-founder of on the the nation’s first settlement houses - Hull House, Chicago’s West Side, 1889. 1st American woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, 1931. A page from Jane Addams FBI Case File in 1920.

Sociology Chapter 1 The Sociological Point of View