1. The Sociological Point of View
Chapter 1

2. Examining Social Life
Our daily lives shape our view of the world. The values, beliefs, lifestyles, and experiences of those around us, including historic events help mold our outlook on life.
Not everyone views things in society the same, however, most of us in society share many of the same characteristics and ideas.
Sociology is the social science that studies human society and social behavior
Social Sciences are the disciplines that study human social behavior or institutions and functions of human society in a scientific manner
Social Interaction – how people relate to one another and influence each other’s behavior
Social phenomenon – observable facts or events that involve human society

3. Examining Social Life
The sociological perspective involves looking at social life in a scientific systematic way rather than depending on common sense
Things the sociological perspective allows us to see:
that all people are social beings
Your behavior is influenced by social factors
You learned your behavior from others
Many different perceptions of social reality

4. Examining Social Life
The sociological perspective can also help you find balance between your personal desires and the demands of your social environment.
For example:
if you always do what you want, you will most likely conflict with people, but if you always do what other want, you will may not be happy
The goal is to find the most acceptable points between these two behaviors

5. Examining Social Life
The sociological imagination is the ability to see the connection between the larger world and your personal life.
According to C. Wright Mills any good sociologist must have “the capacity to range from the most impersonal and remote topics to the most intimate features of the human self – and to be able to see the relations between the two”

6. Examining Social Life
In addition to sociology, the social sciences include anthropology, psychology, economics, and political science
Anthropology is the study of past and present cultures
Most similar to sociology

7. Examining Social Life
Psychology is the science that deals with the behavior and thinking of organisms
It differs from sociology in that it studies the individual rather than groups of people
However, social psychology studies how the social environment affects an individual’s behavior and personality

8. Examining Social Life
Economics is the study of the choices people make in an effort to satisfy their needs and wants.
They also examine the effects of government policies on economic growth and stability
Political Science examines the organization and operation of governments
History is the study of past events.
Sociologists are very interested in the past.
They use the past to explain current social behaviors and attitudes

9. Sociology: Then and Now
The nature of social life and human interactions has been of interest to scholars throughout history.
Several factors led to the development of sociology
Rapid social and political changes in Europe
The Industrial Revolution
Urban growth
Revolutions
By the 1800’s scholars believed that the social world was based on a set of principles that could be studied using the scientific method

10. Sociology: Then and Now
In the 1800’s sociology primarily took root in France, Germany, and England.
These countries had been most affect by the Industrial Revolution
Some of the most influential sociologists include:
August Comte
Herbert Spencer
Karl Marx
Emilie Durkheim
Max Weber

11. Sociology: Then and Now
Auguste Comte (1798 – 1857)
Founder of sociology as a distinct subject
From France
Intrigued by the causes and consequences of the French Revolution
Focused on social order and social change
Social static – holds society together
Social dynamics – the process of societal change
Most of his theories of society have been refuted

12. Sociology: Then and Now
Herbert Spencer (1820 – 1903)
From England
Strongly influenced by Charles Darwin
He believed in social evolution
Social Darwinism – survival of the fittest

13. Sociology: Then and Now
Karl Marx (18181 – 1883)
Prussian
Influenced Communism
Marx believed is influenced by how its economy is organized.
Two social classes
Bourgeoisie (capitalists)
Proletariat (workers)
The bourgeoisie own the means of production while the proletariat own nothing
Marx believed class conflict would only end when the proletariat overthrow those in power.
Then there would be a classless society (Think Communism)

14. Sociology: Then and Now
Emile Durkheim (1858 – 1917)
From France
One of the first sociologists to systematically apply the methods of science to the study of society
Like Comte, Durkheim was interested in problems of social order.
Like Spencer, he saw society as a set of interdependent parts
Durkheim look at functions or consequences that an element of society produces for the maintain of its social system
He was also interested in the effect of religion in terms of maintaining social order
He also studied suicide by examining the suicide rates in several European countries
This was the first true sociological study

15. Sociology: Then and Now
Max Weber (1864 – 1920)
Prussian
Unlike the other major sociologists, he was interested in separate groups within society rather than society as a whole
He also believed in going beyond what can be observed and attempting to uncover feelings
Verstehen – putting oneself in the place of others and tries to see the situation from their point of view
Ideal type - description comprised of the essential characteristics of a feature of society
School

16. Sociology: Then and Now
Current perspectives
A theory is an explanation of the relationships among particular phenomena
Sociologists develop theories to guide their work
Theoretical perspectives provide a foundation for their inquiries
A theoretical perspective is also known as a school of thought
There are three broad theoretical perspectives
Functionalist
Conflict
interactionist

17. Sociology: Then and Now
Functionalist Perspective
Based on the ideas of Comte, Spencer, and Durkheim
Views society as a set of interrelated parts that work together to produce a stable social system
Topics of interest usually include things like family or education
Dysfunctional – the negative consequence of an element
Dysfunctional elements such as crime disrupt society rather than stabilize it
Manifest function – the intended and recognized consequence of some element of society
Function of a car is speedy transportation
Latent function – the unintended and unrecognized consequence o an element of society
Function of a car is to show social status (Benz vs Ford)

18. Sociology: Then and Now
Conflict Perspective
Focuses on the forces of society that promote competition and change
Conflict theorists don’t limit their attention to acts of violent crimes
They are also interested in non-violent competition between various groups
Men vs women
People of different ages
People of different racial/national backgrounds
They look at relationships between different groups
Decision making in families
Relationships among racial groups
Dispute between workers and employers

19. Sociology: Then and Now
According to conflict theorists, competition over scares resources is the basis of social conflict
Resources like wealth and power are limited in supply and people must compete for them
Once a particular group gains control of a society’s resources, they tend to establish rules and procedures to protect their interests at the expense of other groups.
This leads to social conflict
Social conflict leads to change

20. Sociology: Then and Now
Interactionist Perspective
Focuses on how individuals interact with one another in a society
Unlike functionalist and conflict theories, which focus on society in general or groups within society
Looks at how individuals respond in everyday situations
Symbol – anything that represents something else
In order for something to be a symbol members of society must agree on the meanign that is attached to it
Bald Eagle = America
Symbolic interaction focuses on how people use symbols when interacting
Child development