Introduction to Sociology, 5/e © 2012 BVT Publishing

Law of Human Progress: Society has gone through three stages: theological, metaphysical, and scientific Introduction to Sociology, 5/e © 2012 BVT Publishing

Auguste Comte (1) Theological-everything understood according to the supernational Family-model social unit Priests and military dominate (2) Metaphysical-abstract forces are sources of explanation State replaces family as the model social unit

Auguste Comte Political dominance-clergy and lawyers (3) Scientific/Positivist-scientific laws of universe studies through observation and experimentation Entire human race is the model social unit Political dominance=industrial administrators and scientific moral guide This state: just beginning in Comte’s day

Auguste Comte From now on-scientific methods would explain the workings of society Comte also viewed society as an “organism”-interrelated parts Sociology should focus on social statics (structure of an organism: & social dynamics (processes of an organism and how it changes

Introduction to Sociology, 5/e © 2012 BVT Publishing

Herbert Spencer Opposed free public education Ideas were supported by wealthy and powerful; those who wanted to maintain their social status & keep majority poor and uneducated Ronald Reagan

Introduction to Sociology, 5/e © 2012 BVT Publishing

Karl Marx Returned to Germany; pressured to leave; moved to London till death Stressed how the new industrial social order created problems for lower classes Social Conflict-at the core of society; source of all social change All history marked by economic determinism-all change based on $

Karl Marx Bourgeoisie vs proletariat (Haves vs Have Nots) Class consciousness-recognition that society is stratified; ultimately will lead to revolution

Introduction to Sociology, 5/e © 2012 BVT Publishing

Emile Durkheim Social phenomena-are social facts:external to the individual and endure over time Social facts=customs, laws, norms; followed without thinking; ex. Red light Individuals are more the products of socity than the creators of it Society-external to the individual; didn’t focus on individual attributes

Emile Durkheim Collective conscience: a common spirit resulting from blending many individual mentalities. Ex: whether God exists is secondary to people sharing that belief and practicing religion Books: The Division of Labor in Society; The Rules of Sociological Method; The Elementary Forms of Religious Life; Suicide

Emile Durkheim Suicide (1897)-established the model for social research Concluded that suicide was a social phenomenon

Introduction to Sociology, 5/e © 2012 BVT Publishing

Max Weber Did not believe that society could be studied “value-free” Sociology must study “social actions:- external objective behaviors Goal: a sympathetic understanding of the minds of others-called Verstehen: studying objective meanings people attach to their own behavior and the behavior of others

Max Weber Once motives and values were identified- then study objectively and scientifically

Introduction to Sociology, 5/e © 2012 BVT Publishing

Harriet Martineau Introduced feminist sociological perspectives on issues like marriage, children, religious life, and race relations Often called the first female sociologist

Introduction to Sociology, 5/e © 2012 BVT Publishing

Robert Park ( ) Studied in Germany Studied effects of industrialization on people in urban areas Wrote a sociology text and “The City” (1925)-urban communities involve both cooperation and competition-like habitats in nature Approach came to be known as “social ecology”

Robert Park Also known for his work on African- Americans Worked with Booker T. Washington at the Tuskegee Institute

Albion Small ( ) Founder of the American Sociological Association Founder of the sociology department at the U of Chicago-chair for over 30 years

W. I. Thomas ( ) Interested in the sociology of immigration Formulated the “Thomas theorem” in 1928: “If men define situations as real, they are real in their consequences” The interpretation of the situation causes the action Actions-affected by subjective perceptions of situations Objectively correct interpretations-not important in guiding individuals’ behavior

Introduction to Sociology, 5/e © 2012 BVT Publishing

Structural Functionalism Most societies: 5 major structures: family, religion, education, economy, government Robert Merton: manifest functions: intended and recognized; latent functions: unintended Dysfunctions-factors that lead to the breakdown of a social system Merton-functional alternatives: other ways to achieve intended goals

Structural Functionalism Example: alternative for child supervision- working mothers

Introduction to Sociology, 5/e © 2012 BVT Publishing

Conflict Theory Can involve more than economics-ex: race, age Conflicts occur because power, wealth, and prestige are limited commodities-not available to everyone People try to maintain and improve position in life-conflicts occur Conflicts-can be constructive

Introduction to Sociology, 5/e © 2012 BVT Publishing

TheoryLevel of Analysis View of Society Major Concepts Pros and Cons of Theory FunctionalismMacroSociety consists of interdependent parts, each fulfilling certain functions Structure, function, manifest and latent function, dysfunctions Pros: examines structures within society; examines the "big picture"; emphasizes the impact that structures in relation to consequences for society Cons: does not emphasize the interactions between individuals Introduction to Sociology, 5/e © 2012 BVT Publishing Continued…

TheoryLevel of Analysis View of Society Major Concepts Pros and Cons of Theory ConflictMacroConflict between diverse groups within society competing for valuable resources Means of production, proletariats, bourgeoisie, social class, scarce resources Pros: examines stratification and inequality and the reasons that they exist; examines who benefits from existing social relationships Cons: does not explore competition within society as potentially beneficial Introduction to Sociology, 5/e © 2012 BVT Publishing Continued…

TheoryLevel of Analysis View of Society Major Concepts Pros and Cons of Theory Interact- ionism MicroInteraction between people in society is negotiated using symbols, gestures, and communication, including non-verbal Symbols, social construction, definition of the situation Pros: examines day- to-day interactions between people; examines relationship between identity and social interaction Cons: does not emphasize the ways in which large-scale structures affect interaction Introduction to Sociology, 5/e © 2012 BVT Publishing Continued…

TheoryLevel of Analysis View of Society Major Concepts Pros and Cons of Theory ExchangeMicroActions are determined by weighing rewards and costs Exchanges, rewards, costs, benefits, negotiation Pros: examines day- to-day interactions between people; examines relationship between identity and social interaction Cons: does not emphasize the ways in which large-scale structures affect interaction Introduction to Sociology, 5/e © 2012 BVT Publishing Continued…

TheoryLevel of Analysis View of Society Major Concepts Pros and Cons of Theory EvolutionaryMacroSocial systems evolve naturally from simple to complex Organism, social arrangement s social systems, simple, complex, survival of the fittest Pros: looks at society as evolving naturally over time; brings in the possibility of social evolution as connected with biological evolution Cons: does not emphasize the potential negativity of "survival of the fittest" concept Introduction to Sociology, 5/e © 2012 BVT Publishing Continued…

Introduction to Sociology, 5/e © 2012 BVT Publishing