Objective:  Identify and critique the sociological contributions of the following mid-to-late nineteenth century and early twentieth century sociologists: Auguste Comte, Herbert Spencer, Karl Marx, Emile Durkheim, and Max Weber

 Positivism: the application of the scientific approach to the social world  coined term “sociology”  founder of sociology  didn’t do actual research; just made informal observations about social life

 second founder of sociology  Social Darwinism “survival of the fittest”  societies evolve from lowest to highest  if you held the poor, you interfere with natural processes  Didn’t do scientific research

 Class Conflict: Marx’s term for the struggle between capitalists and workers  bourgeoisie (capitalists, owners of production)  proletariat (exploited class, mass of workers)  Conflict Theory Perspective

 Social Integration: the degree to which people feel a part of social groups  used social facts (group’s patterns of behavior)  Suicide research: less integrated = higher suicide rates  Protestants, males and unmarried commit suicide at a higher rate

 Religion is the central force in social change  Protestant Ethic: Protestantism embraces change; members look for “signs” from God; Financial success became a strong sign from God  Protestants lived frugal lives, saving their money and eventually invested it to make more (Capitalism)  Verstehen: to have insight into someone’s situation