1. Thinking Like a Sociologist
CHAPTER 1:
Thinking Like a Sociologist

2. Sociology
The systematic study of social interaction at a variety of levels
Interaction between individuals: siblings, athletic teammates
Interaction between groups: rival gangs, management and workers’ union
Interaction between nations: diplomatic exchanges, war, agreements to control pollution

3. Why do we need sociology?
Some people argue that sociology is just common sense.
It makes the obvious difficult.

4. Common Sense Is subjective. Ignores facts. Is contradictory.
Varies across groups and cultures.
Is based on myths and misconceptions.

5. The Sociological Imagination
According to C. Wright Mills, the sociological imagination is the ability to see the connection between individual lives and larger social influences.
Personal troubles (biography)
Structural issues (historical)

6. Microsociology
Focuses on small-scale patterns of individuals’ social interaction in specific settings
Individuals interacting as friends
Patterns of interaction within families

7. Macrosociology
Focuses on large-scale patterns and processes that characterize society as a whole
Comparison of divorce rates for different countries
Effect of trade policies on unemployment rates

8. Why is sociology important?
It can help us make informed decisions.
Should we live together before marriage?
Should the U.S. increase the minimum wage?
Sociology can help us understand diversity.
Who are the non-Hispanic whites?
What happens when men work in traditionally female occupations?

9. Why is sociology important?
Sociology can help us evaluate social and public policies.
Does a curfew for teenagers effectively reduce crime?
Should the United States have government provided health care?
It can help us think critically.
Seeing how individual decisions are influenced by race or gender
Recognizing how social class affects life chances

10. Why is sociology important?
Sociology can expand your career opportunities.
Sociologists are employed in
Administrative support and management
Social services and counseling
Sales and marketing

11. Origins of Sociological Theory
Sociological thinking is based on theory and empirical information.
Theory—a set of statements that explains why a phenomenon occurs
Empirical information—information based on observation, experiments, or experiences

12. Auguste Comte The “father of sociology”
Argued for the empirical study of society
Analyzed social statics and dynamics

13. Emile Durkheim Analyzed
social facts (aspects of life external to the individual)
Social solidarity (cohesion and harmony)
Division of labor (interdependence of different tasks and occupations)
Conducted study of suicide and social integration

14. Karl Marx Analyzed Industrial Revolution Studied
Capitalism (an economic system in which ownership of the means of production is in private hands)
Class conflict between capitalists and proletariat
Alienation (feelings of separation)

15. Max Weber
Argued for the importance of ideas, ideologies, and charismatic leaders
Argued for verstehen or subjective understanding
Argued for value free
sociology

16. Other Important Early Social Thinkers
Harriet Martineau
Jane Addams
W. E. B. DuBois

17. Contemporary Sociological Theories
Theories are tools and evolve over time.
Contemporary theories grew out of the 1950s and 1960s.

18. Functionalism
Society is a complex system of interdependent parts that work together to ensure a society’s survival.
Functions are purposes and activities to meet different needs that contribute to a society’s stability.

19. Functionalism Manifest functions are intended and recognized.
Latent functions are unintended and unrecognized.
Dysfunctions have negative impacts.

20. Functionalist Applications
A school dress code
What are the manifest functions?
What are the latent functions?
What are the dysfunctions?
A fast food restaurant

21. Conflict Theory
Conflict theory examines the ways in which groups disagree, struggle over power, and compete for scarce resources.
Karl Marx predicted that conflict would result from widespread economic inequality.
The “haves” dominate in social, political and economic activities over the “have-nots”

22. Feminist Theories
Feminist theories explain the social, economic, and political position of women in society.
They maintain that women suffer injustice because of their sex.
They seek to free women from traditionally oppressive expectations and constraints.

23. Symbolic Interactionism
Symbolic interactionism looks at individuals’ everyday behavior and communication through symbols and shared meanings.
It is a micro-level perspective.
Interactionists see society as
socially constructed.

24. The Perspectives Functionalism Conflict Feminist Interactionism
How does structure help society work?
Conflict
How are resources distributed?
Feminist
How does life reflect gender?
Interactionism
How do we construct meaning through symbols?