Unit 1: Culture & Social Structure Chapter 1: The Sociological Perspective The social world guides our life choices just as the seasons influence our selection of activities and clothing.

What is sociology? Mind map!!! Definition: The social science that studies human society and social behavior. What is a social science? The disciplines that study human social behavior or institutions and functions of human society in a scientific manner.

Sociologists are interested in… Social interaction How people relate to one another and influence each other’s behavior. How has this happened to you? Focus on the group, rather than the individual. Examine Social Phenomena Observable facts or events that involve human society.

The Sociological Perspective Looking beyond commonly held beliefs to the hidden meanings behind human actions. People are all social beings. Behavior is influenced by social factors You have learned your behavior from others See your own day-to-day life through another’s eyes. Balance b/t personal desires and environmental demands Social environment shapes you, and you shape it

Let’s test our sociological perspective: Write 2-3 paragraphs pretending you are a person with at least 3 of the following characteristics. Indicate which ones you chose! 30-40 years older Different race, indicate which one Different religion Different sexual preference 50 years ago Different gender Different part of the United States Much more/less money to your name

Mills & the Sociological Imagination C. Wright Mills Sociological Imagination: The capacity to range from the most impersonal and remote [topics] to the most intimate features of the human self – and to see the relations between the two”. Connection b/t the larger world and your personal life.

How does Sociology compare with other social sciences? Take quiz! Economics Study of choices people make in an effort to satisfy their needs and wants. Sociologists study the effects of economic factors on societies. Political Science Organization and operation of gov’t. Sociologists study voting patterns, politically based groups, etc. History Study of past events Sociologists study past events to explain current behaviors/attitudes Anthropology Comparative study of past and present cultures. Sociology wants group behavior in more complex societies. Psychology Mind and behavior of individual. Sociology focuses on the group.

Sociology: Then and Now Didn’t develop until the 1800’s Industrial Revolution in Europe Caused social and political change to emphasize sociology…. How so? People left homes Rural to urban Rapid urbanization, city problems Unemployment, poverty New focus caused by individual rights movements American and French Revolution Civil Rights Movement… any others? How society was influenced by all these things became a very hot/interesting topic for some.

Important Sociological Thinkers Split into five groups: Each group will study their important Sociological contributor & teach to the class. Each group must: Provide some background information. Explain their importance to the field i.e. Significant contributions. How they were received by the public. How their theories stand today. Put this information in a five slide max power point with at least three images. Group assignments: Group 1 – Auguste Comte Group 2 – Herbert Spencer Group 3 – Karl Marx Group 4 – Emile Durkheim Group 5 – Max Weber

Little more about Sociology Examines the forces that compel so many to behave in a similar way: Alcohol, drugs addicts Examine nature vs. nurture Ah, the theatre How sociologist view common human situations Boy meets girl – descries two basic sociological concepts: Role Social structure Role – expected performance of someone who occupies a specific position. Each position has established a script that suggests appropriate line, gesture and behavior Social structure – the larger structure of the play in which the roles are played Family

First Sociologists: Auguste Comte: 1798-1857 Founder of sociology Coined the term sociology Applied methods of physical science to the study of social life Tried to find solutions to the chaos caused by the French Revolution Theory of Statics – social structure Hold society together Theory of Dynamics – social process Society changing

Karl Marx: 1818-1883 Father of communism Believed that structure of society is influenced by how the economy is organized Bourgeoisie (capitalists) Proletariat (workers) Thought that people who own the means of production control society Social scientists should be social activists Trouble due to capitalist system…class divisions. Conflict is the cause of social change

Herbert Spencer: 1820-1903 Was influenced by views of Charles Darwin Social Darwinism Asserted that the fittest societies would survive over time “Sociology can become a science only when it is based on the idea of natural evolution” Believed that social change and unrest were natural occurrences in society’s evolution towards stability and perfection

Emile’ Durkheim: 1858-1917 Taught first social science course in France Developed the idea of a function-positive consequence that an element of society has for the maintenance of a social system Studied function of religion in maintaining social order Values and beliefs hold society together. Study only what is observable (Phenomena) and test it using statistical analysis Used approach in a study on suicide

Max Weber: 1864-1920 Focused on effect of society on the individual/small groups Uncover the thoughts and feelings of an individual, not just observable To do… use Verstehen Try to put yourself in the place of others and see situations through their eyes… what do we call this? Used concept of ideal type – essential characteristic of some aspect of society

Current Sociological Perspectives: Functionalist Theory Aka: Consensus Theory Comte, Spencer and Durkheim All society’s parts are independent and function as one organism. Society is held together through consensus of norms and values Function equals positive, dysfunction equals negative Manifest – intended consequence, Latent – unintended consequence Want to know everything’s function! (especially education & family) Macro sociology

Current Sociological Perspectives: Conflict Theory Marx Focus on the forces in society that promote competition and change. Interested in violent and non-violent competition b/t different people Ex: decision making in families, relationships among racial groups, disputes between workers and employees, etc. How do people who have power over others, keep it? Constant change in conflict due to inequality among different groups. Disagreement over distribution of power and/or resources (those who are in charge seek to stay in charge) Some have resources… others don’t… what happens next? Competition, structured inequality, and revolution… changes occur as a result. Macro Sociology

Current Sociological Perspectives: Interactionist Theory Focuses on how individuals interact with one another in society (Weber) How do individuals respond to each other in everyday situations? Why do we attach meanings to our own actions & to the actions of others For example – road rage Symbolic interaction – how we use symbols in our interactions To be a symbol, society must agree on its meaning Ex: objects, gestures, words, events, Micro Sociology