Sociology: An Introduction

Part 1: Basic Sociological Understandings “Sociology is everywhere & everywhere is sociology…”

SOCIAL SCIENCES AnthropologyEconomicsHistory Political Science PsychologySociology

What is Sociology? DEFINITION: the systematic study of human society & social behaviorDEFINITION: the systematic study of human society & social behavior TWO PRIMARY QUESTIONS:TWO PRIMARY QUESTIONS: Why do people behave the way they do?Why do people behave the way they do? Why are social situations the way they are?Why are social situations the way they are?

DEFINITION: a scientific & systematic method of viewing the behavior of groupsDEFINITION: a scientific & systematic method of viewing the behavior of groups Seeing the general in the particular…Seeing the general in the particular… Seeing the strange in the familiar…Seeing the strange in the familiar… Sociological Perspective

Peter Berger:Peter Berger: Seeing the general in the particular…Seeing the general in the particular… Possible to identify general social patterns in the behavior of particular individualsPossible to identify general social patterns in the behavior of particular individuals Sociological Perspective

C. Wright Mills:C. Wright Mills: Seeing the strange in the familiar…Seeing the strange in the familiar… There are definite connections between one’s personal life and society as a wholeThere are definite connections between one’s personal life and society as a whole Society shapes our livesSociety shapes our lives Sociological Perspective

Sociological Imagination:Sociological Imagination: The ability to see connections between the larger world and our personal livesThe ability to see connections between the larger world and our personal lives Connection between “history” & “biography”Connection between “history” & “biography” Sociological Perspective

“The sociological imagination enables us to grasp history and biography and the relations between the two within society”“The sociological imagination enables us to grasp history and biography and the relations between the two within society” 1/01/13/a-carpet/ 1/01/13/a-carpet/ 1/01/13/a-carpet/ 1/01/13/a-carpet/ Sociological Perspective

Benefits of the Sociological Perspective:Benefits of the Sociological Perspective: 1.Assess the truth of “common sense” 2.Assess the opportunities & constraints in our lives (social forces) 3.Empowers us to become active social participants 4.Allows us to live in a diverse world

Part 2: Historical Origins

Historical Background Developed as an academic discipline during the mid-19 th centuryDeveloped as an academic discipline during the mid-19 th century Sociology emerged as the intellectual atmosphere of Europe shiftedSociology emerged as the intellectual atmosphere of Europe shifted Change in Focus:Change in Focus: How should an ideal society operate?How should an ideal society operate? How does society operate in reality?How does society operate in reality?

Enlightenment (late 1600s to late 1700s)Enlightenment (late 1600s to late 1700s) Industrial Revolution (mid 1700s to mid 1800s)Industrial Revolution (mid 1700s to mid 1800s) Urbanization (mid 1800s forward)Urbanization (mid 1800s forward) Historical Timeline

Part 3: Who’s Who in Sociology

French philosopherFrench philosopher Father of Sociology (1838)Father of Sociology (1838) Coined “Sociology”Coined “Sociology” One of the 1 st to apply the scientific method to study of social lifeOne of the 1 st to apply the scientific method to study of social life Focused on social order and social changeFocused on social order and social change Auguste Comte (1798–1857)

English philosopherEnglish philosopher Heavily influenced by DarwinHeavily influenced by Darwin Believed that social change and conflict were inevitable on the road to a perfect societyBelieved that social change and conflict were inevitable on the road to a perfect society “Social Darwinism”“Social Darwinism” Herbert Spencer (1820–1903)

German philosopherGerman philosopher Believed that society is a direct reflection of economic organization; driven by economic forcesBelieved that society is a direct reflection of economic organization; driven by economic forces Two Warring Classes:Two Warring Classes: Bourgeoisie & ProletariatBourgeoisie & Proletariat Karl Marx (1818–1883)

French sociologistFrench sociologist Particularly concerned with social order, as well its maintenanceParticularly concerned with social order, as well its maintenance Interested in the functions of societal institutionsInterested in the functions of societal institutions First true sociological study, Suicide (1897)First true sociological study, Suicide (1897) Emile Durkheim (1858–1917)

German sociologistGerman sociologist Interested in society’s impact on the individual, rather than society as a wholeInterested in society’s impact on the individual, rather than society as a whole Vershtehen (fehr-SHTAY-en)Vershtehen (fehr-SHTAY-en) Social actions/motivationsSocial actions/motivations Max Weber (1864–1920)

Part 4: Sociological Theory

Importance of Theory Attempts to explain social behavior in terms of the “real world”Attempts to explain social behavior in terms of the “real world” Three Major Theoretical Approaches:Three Major Theoretical Approaches: Structural-FunctionalismStructural-Functionalism Conflict TheoryConflict Theory Symbolic InteractionismSymbolic Interactionism

Importance of Theory Each approach provides a set of fundamental assumptions that help guide sociological understandingEach approach provides a set of fundamental assumptions that help guide sociological understanding Macro-Level v. Micro-LevelMacro-Level v. Micro-Level

CAUTION!

Macro-Level

Guiding Question:Guiding Question: How do social institutions and processes create stability & security, and what happens when they don’t?How do social institutions and processes create stability & security, and what happens when they don’t? Key Players:Key Players: Comte, Spencer, DurkheimComte, Spencer, Durkheim Structural-Functionalism

Structural-Functionalism Assumptions:Assumptions: Society is an organism comprised of interrelated parts; known as subsystemsSociety is an organism comprised of interrelated parts; known as subsystems Subsystems work together to promote solidarity & stabilitySubsystems work together to promote solidarity & stability Each subsystem has a function (manifest v. latent)Each subsystem has a function (manifest v. latent)

Major Emphases:Major Emphases: Stability (function v. dysfunction)Stability (function v. dysfunction) HarmonyHarmony EvolutionEvolution Structural-Functionalism

What are the Functions of? Examples:Examples: Education?Education? Marriage?Marriage? Government?Government? Religion?Religion?

Structural-Functionalism Key Criticisms:Key Criticisms: Does not encourage active social change; Waits for system to naturally stabilizeDoes not encourage active social change; Waits for system to naturally stabilize Subjective and unclearSubjective and unclear

Guiding Question:Guiding Question: How is society organized (or divided) and who benefits from this?How is society organized (or divided) and who benefits from this? Key Players:Key Players: Marx, Weber, MillsMarx, Weber, Mills Conflict Theory

Assumptions:Assumptions: Society consists of basic inequalities; contributes to inevitable conflictSociety consists of basic inequalities; contributes to inevitable conflict Social relations are in a constant state of changeSocial relations are in a constant state of change The “Haves” v. the “Have-Nots”The “Haves” v. the “Have-Nots”

Conflict Theory Example:Example: Think of the term/phrase most commonly used in the United States to describe when people from other countries come to the U.S. without the appropriate legal paper work. What do we tend to call that?

Major Emphases:Major Emphases: Competition over scarce resourcesCompetition over scarce resources Impact of inequalities on power & rewardsImpact of inequalities on power & rewards Social change as a result of conflictSocial change as a result of conflict Conflict Theory

Key Criticisms:Key Criticisms: Difficult to explain the more orderly & stable elements of societyDifficult to explain the more orderly & stable elements of society Too heavily focused on economy & class; neglects the cultural aspects of societyToo heavily focused on economy & class; neglects the cultural aspects of society Assumes that differences ALWAYS lead to conflictAssumes that differences ALWAYS lead to conflict

Micro-Level

Guiding Question:Guiding Question: How, and in what way, do people interpret and negotiate their surroundings?How, and in what way, do people interpret and negotiate their surroundings? Key Players:Key Players: Weber, Mead, CooleyWeber, Mead, Cooley Symbolic Interactionism

Assumptions:Assumptions: People attach meaning to things based on their ongoing interactions with othersPeople attach meaning to things based on their ongoing interactions with others Continuously negotiatedContinuously negotiated Meanings guide action & reactionMeanings guide action & reaction Fake Celebrity ExampleFake Celebrity ExampleFake Celebrity ExampleFake Celebrity Example

Symbolic Interactionism Major Emphases:Major Emphases: Language & symbols are the building blocks of societyLanguage & symbols are the building blocks of society Importance of interpersonal relationships & social interactionImportance of interpersonal relationships & social interaction SocializationSocialization

Symbolic Interactionism Examples:Examples: What does this picture symbolize to you? Write the first word that comes to mind…What does this picture symbolize to you? Write the first word that comes to mind…

Symbolic Interactionism Examples:Examples: What does this picture symbolize to you? Write the first word that comes to mind…What does this picture symbolize to you? Write the first word that comes to mind…

Symbolic Interactionism Examples:Examples: What does this picture symbolize to you? Write the first word that comes to mind…What does this picture symbolize to you? Write the first word that comes to mind…

Symbolic Interactionism Examples:Examples: What does this picture symbolize to you? Write the first word that comes to mind…What does this picture symbolize to you? Write the first word that comes to mind… Putin’s Pawn

Symbolic Interactionism Key Criticisms:Key Criticisms: Tends to minimize the impact of larger societal factors in regards to interpersonal relationships & interactionsTends to minimize the impact of larger societal factors in regards to interpersonal relationships & interactions

Practice Societies are in relative balanceSocieties are in relative balance Structural FunctionalismStructural Functionalism

Practice Power is one of the most important elements in social lifePower is one of the most important elements in social life ConflictConflict

Practice Religion helps hold a society together morallyReligion helps hold a society together morally Structural FunctionalismStructural Functionalism

Practice Symbols are crucial to social lifeSymbols are crucial to social life Symbolic InteractionismSymbolic Interactionism

Practice Many elements of a society exist to benefit the powerfulMany elements of a society exist to benefit the powerful ConflictConflict

Practice Segments of society compete to achieve their own self-interest rather than cooperate to benefit othersSegments of society compete to achieve their own self-interest rather than cooperate to benefit others ConflictConflict

Practice Social life should be understood from the viewpoint of the individuals involvedSocial life should be understood from the viewpoint of the individuals involved Symbolic InteractionismSymbolic Interactionism

Practice Education is a necessary aspect of social harmonyEducation is a necessary aspect of social harmony Structural FunctionalismStructural Functionalism

Practice Social change is constantly occurringSocial change is constantly occurring ConflictConflict

Practice Conflict is harmful and disruptive to societyConflict is harmful and disruptive to society Structural FunctionalismStructural Functionalism