1. Sociology As A Science

2. Sociologists use the Scientific Method
A systematic, organized series of steps that emphasize objectivity and consistency

3. 5 Steps Used in the Scientific Method
Define the problem.
Review the literature.
Formulate a hypothesis.
Design a research plan and collect data.
Analyze the data and develop a conclusion.

4. Ethical Concerns
Researchers in sociology must consider ETHICS – principles of conduct concerning what is good or moral or right.

5. Professional competence
The ASA (American Sociological Association) code of ethics includes five general principles:
Professional competence
Sociologists only conduct research for which they are qualified
Integrity
Sociologists must be honest, fair and respectful of other.
They must not knowingly make false or misleading statements

6. ASA Code of Ethics (cont):
Professional and Scientific Responsibility
Sociologists follow scientific standards and accept responsibility for their work
Respect for people’s rights, dignity and diversity
Sociologists acknowledge the rights of others to hold values, attitudes and opinions that differ from their own.

7. ASA Code of Ethics (cont):
Social responsibility
Sociologists apply and make public their knowledge in order to contribute to the public good.

8. Applying Sociology Understanding Issues
Sociology can help us better understand today’s issues
Capital punishment
Health Care

9. Applying Sociology Overcoming traditional barriers
Sociology can speak to all people, not just to the dominant members of a society or group

10. Applying Sociology Coming Up with Solutions
If we better understand today’s problems, we have the tools to help solve them

11. The Development of Sociology
The Enlightenment – an era in which scientific knowledge was applied to human society.
Enlightenment thinkers believed that they could solve social, political & economic problems using reason

12. Sociology Today
Theoretical Perspectives
A perspective is a way of seeing things
Today, three major theoretical perspectives illustrate different ways to approach the study of society:

14. The Functionalist Perspective
People who view society as an organism.
Every part has a function, and overall a society tends to operate smoothly.

15. Functionalist Perspective
Dysfunction – Anything that inhibits or disrupts the working of the system as a whole. Threatens the stability of a society.

16. Functionalist Perspective
Manifest Functions – functions that are apparent and conscious
Ex: School systems have the manifest function of teaching basic knowledge and skills

17. Functionalist Perspective
Latent Functions – functions that are often unconscious, unintended, or hidden.
Ex: School systems have the latent function of passing on mainstream culture and uniting people to core values

18. The Conflict Perspective
Concentrating on aspects of society that encourage competition and change
Conflict theorists may identify groups that have different interests, such as various political groups or people from different parts of an organization, and study how they work out their differences
According to conflict theorists, social conflict arises from competition over limited resources

19. The Interactionist Perspective
The study of how individual respond to each other
View society as a collection of small interactions; they are much more interested in the small parts than in society overall
Emphasize the role played by Symbols. Members of a group or a society understand the social meaning of the symbols they share.
EX: Team Mascot The American Flag