Science and Fuzzy Objects: Specialization in Sociology Chapter 3 from The Practical Skeptic: Core Concepts in Sociology

How sociologists divide what and how they study What Sociologists Study Topic area or subject matter How Sociologists Study Theoretical perspective (paradigm) Levels of analysis (macrosociology & microsociology)

Popular Topics Within Sociology Age Art Collective Behavior Culture Demography Deviance Economy Education Environment Family and sex Formal organizations Gender Health care Law Mass media Military Political institutions Race and ethnicity Religion Science and technology Small groups Social change Social movements Socialization Sports Stratification Work and occupations

The Functionalist Paradigm: tend to focus on what holds society together and how changes in one part of society lead to changes in other parts. Three assumptions: In a certain society, there will be agreement about important values and norms. Society is comprised of many connected parts and when one part changes, others change in response. Conflict is not normal so we avoid it.

The Conflict Paradigm: tend to focus on the things that create tension between people. Three assumptions: In society, there are different subgroups that value different things. Different subgroups compete for resources. Conflict is normal.

How we act depends on how we perceive reality. The Symbolic-Interactionist Paradigm: tend to focus on how ideas emerge from social interaction and then affect that interaction; also known as “social constructionist.” Four assumptions: How we act depends on how we perceive reality. We learn how to perceive reality from others. We constantly analyze our own behavior and what it means. Conflict arises when different people attach different meanings to certain events.