The Sociological Perspective Chapter 1

Sociology as a Point of View  Sociology is the scientific study of human organization and social interactions.  Main focus Group Group  Seeks to Understand forces that operate throughout society, Understand forces that operate throughout society, Understand the conditions that mold individuals, shape their behavior and, determine social events Understand the conditions that mold individuals, shape their behavior and, determine social events

Examples  Is it easy for domestic violence victims to leave their abusive spouses? Why or why not? (See figure 1.1)  Is homelessness the result of individual action or broader social conditions? In the U.S. homelessness is highly related to: Alcohol and drug addiction War veterans Mental illness Availability of low income housing Availability of social networks (social capital)

The Sociological Imagination  C. Wright Mills (1959) used the term sociological imagination to refer to: The relationship between individual experiences and the forces in the lager society that shape our actions The relationship between individual experiences and the forces in the lager society that shape our actions  Can you think of an issue that may have had some effect on you? On your society as a whole?

Sociological Imagination  The Sociological Imagination can be described as the process of looking at patterns of human behavior and finding previously unseen connections among them.

Sociology and other social science disciplines Sociologists study groups and institutions within large, modern, industrial, societies Cultural Anthropologists immerse themselves in another society for a long time in order to learn as much as possible about that society and the relationships among its members. Sociologists look at patterns of behavior Psychologists looks at motivations, perceptions, cognition, creativity, mental disorders, and personality. Sociologists study social factors that influence a person’s economic decisions Economists study price availability factors, demand and supply, and markets. Sociologists look at historical events within their social contexts to discover why things happened and more important, to assess what their social significance was and is. Sociology, however, focuses on the present History looks at past events to attempt to learn what happened, when it happened, and why it happened Sociologists focus on how political systems affect other institutions in society Political Science devotes more attention to the forces that shape political systems theories for understanding these forces. Sociology helps to understand why social problems exist Social work aims to help people solve their individual problems

Development of Sociology  Sociology emerged as a separate field of study in Europe during the 19 th century During this period, the social order was shaken by the Industrial Revolution and the American and French Revolutions. During this period, the social order was shaken by the Industrial Revolution and the American and French Revolutions.

Sociology in the 19th Century  Three scholars shaped sociology into a relatively coherent discipline: Karl Marx Karl Marx Émile Durkheim Émile Durkheim Max Weber Max Weber  Their ideas were greatly shaped by industrialization, capitalism, and socio-political revolutions

Karl Marx (1818–1883)  Believed the history of human societies could be seen as the history of class conflict between: The bourgeoisie, who own and control the means of production, and The bourgeoisie, who own and control the means of production, and The proletariat, who make up the mass of workers. The proletariat, who make up the mass of workers. A critique of capitalism (unequal playing field) A critique of capitalism (unequal playing field)

Karl Marx (1818–1883)  Marx lived shortly after the French and American revolutions He was greatly influenced by what he observed to be conflict as an engine of change He was greatly influenced by what he observed to be conflict as an engine of change Saw society as an iceberg: Saw society as an iceberg: At the tip of the iceberg you can see things like war, poverty, revolutions, etc. The invisible part includes all of those relationships, conditions, and social forces (conflict) that shape the “visible” part of the iceberg.

Émile Durkheim (1858–1917)  Believed that individuals were the product of their social environment, and that society shapes people in every possible way What makes an American different from a French or an Italian?What makes an American different from a French or an Italian? Showed how a personal act, such as suicide is really patterned by social forces Showed how a personal act, such as suicide is really patterned by social forces Differences in suicide according to religious practicesDifferences in suicide according to religious practices Differences in suicide according to group solidarityDifferences in suicide according to group solidarity

Durkheim’s Three Types of Suicide  Egoistic suicide - derives from loneliness and a commitment to personal beliefs over group values single people, protestants who overemphasize individualism single people, protestants who overemphasize individualism  Altruistic suicide - the individual is willing to die for the sake of the community Kamikaze pilots, suicide bombers Kamikaze pilots, suicide bombers  Anomic suicide - results from feeling disconnected from society’s values Depression Depression

Suicide in the United States  Social factors: Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death for 15- to 24-year-olds. Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death for 15- to 24-year-olds. Older adults account for 20% of suicide deaths, but only 13% of the overall U.S. population. Older adults account for 20% of suicide deaths, but only 13% of the overall U.S. population. Suicide rates for Native Americans are 1.5 times the national rates. Suicide rates for Native Americans are 1.5 times the national rates.

Max Weber (1846 – 1920)  Ideology can influence the economic system (material conditions)  Ideology as means to explain the development of capitalism  Rational man Minimize risk – maximize profits Minimize risk – maximize profits  Bureaucracy

Other sociologist Robert Merton  Influential proponent of the functionalist theory.  Two forms of social functions  Manifest The intended and recognized consequences of those process The intended and recognized consequences of those process Going to college to obtain knowledgeGoing to college to obtain knowledge  Latent Unintended or not readily recognized consequences of such processes Unintended or not readily recognized consequences of such processes New opportunitiesNew opportunities Finding lasting friendshipsFinding lasting friendships

Contemporary Sociology  What is a theory? A theory is a systematic explanation for the observations related to a particular aspect of life. A theory is a systematic explanation for the observations related to a particular aspect of life.

Three Major Sociological Theories FunctionalistConflict Symbolic Interactionist

 Conflict Theory The social order consists of groups and individuals trying to advance their own interests over others. The social order consists of groups and individuals trying to advance their own interests over others. In this sense, you could explain things like slavery, poverty, politics, discrimination and sexism (among other things in society) as the result of conflict between those who have power and wealth over those who do not. In this sense, you could explain things like slavery, poverty, politics, discrimination and sexism (among other things in society) as the result of conflict between those who have power and wealth over those who do not.

 Functionalism Views society as a system of highly interrelated structures or parts that function or operate together harmoniously Views society as a system of highly interrelated structures or parts that function or operate together harmoniously Society benefits from the contributions of people to function and surviveSociety benefits from the contributions of people to function and survive Just like an organism has parts such as a heart, lungs, a liver, a kidney, or a stomach which contribute to its survival, society has policemen, firefighters, teachers, or bankers to contribute to its survival.Just like an organism has parts such as a heart, lungs, a liver, a kidney, or a stomach which contribute to its survival, society has policemen, firefighters, teachers, or bankers to contribute to its survival. So, if a behavior, belief, or arrangement exists in society it must contribute in one way or another for society So, if a behavior, belief, or arrangement exists in society it must contribute in one way or another for society

 Symbolic Interactionism Concerned with the meaning that people place on their own and one another’s behavior. Concerned with the meaning that people place on their own and one another’s behavior. If a certain behavior is becomes defined as prestigious, people will do itIf a certain behavior is becomes defined as prestigious, people will do it Crime and deviance can be understood from the individual reasoning of deviants and the specific situations in which they participateCrime and deviance can be understood from the individual reasoning of deviants and the specific situations in which they participate Chicago bank robbers Chicago bank robbers