Sociology Chapter One

Sociology Scientific study of human behavior shared by members of a group of society. Investigates human social behavior from a group rather than an individual perspective. Concentrates on patterns of social relationships, primarily in modern societies. Always speak of groups and in the plural; not of individuals. One of the Social Sciences.

Who were some famous Sociologists?????

Karl Marx German scholar: Creator of Communism Key to unfolding history was class conflict. Marx’s Ideas Economics was the driving force in history. All of history revolves around class struggle. The “haves”- owned means of production and hence controlled society. The “have-nots”- proletariat, or working class. Bourgeoisie Vs. Proletariat Felt eventually a major revolution would result in a proletariat victory. Despised Capitalism Called for an international struggle to bring down capitalism “Working men of all countries unite!”

Emile Durkhiem Best known for his research on suicide. Society exists because of broad consensus or agreement, among members of society. One of the first Sociologists who made Sociology scientific and used statistics in studying human groups. Developed methods that used observation, to collect and classify data and use that data for testing social theories.

Max Weber Single most important influence on the development of sociological theory. Human beings act on the basis of their own understanding of a situation. The sooner sociologists discover the personal meanings, values, beliefs, and attitudes underlying human social behavior the better we can understand society as a whole. Verstehen: understanding the social behavior of others by putting yourself mentally in their places. Meaningful Understanding

Now onto Theoretical Perspectives…….. Most Sociologists are broken down into 3 “Theoretical Perspectives” or way they view and study society. Functionalist Interactionist or Symbolic Interactionism Conflict

Functionalist Perspective Emphasizes the way in which parts of a society are structured to maintain its stability. There are reasons and a purpose for everything. All complex societies have economies, families, governments, and religions. Manifest Functions: conscious functions. Latent functions: unconscious or unintended function. Dysfunction: elements that have a negative consequence. Values accounts for a high degree of cooperation found in society.

Conflict Perspective Social behavior is best understood in terms of conflict or tension between competing groups. Emphasizes conflict, competition, change, and constrain within a society. Focuses on disagreements among various groups in a society or between a society. Life is nothing but a contest and the prize is always power.

Interactionists Focuses on the actual interaction among people. Looks closer to individuals instead of looking at the larger picture. Emphasizes the importance of shared symbols. If some people in a group do not share the same meaning for a given symbol confusion results. Three assumptions to Symbolic Interactionism We learn the meaning of a symbol from the way we see others reacting to it. Once we learn the meanings of symbols, we base our behavior on them. We use the meanings of symbols to imagine how others will respond to our behavior.

What are some Symbols in Our Society?

What would a Functionalist say about this picture?????

What would a Conflict Theorist say about this picture?????

What would a Interactionist say about this picture?????