1. Module 2: The Development of Sociology
Sociology in Modules
Richard T. Schaefer
3rd edition

2. The Development of Sociology
Philosophers/religious authorities of ancient and medieval societies made observations of human behavior
European theorists in the 19th century made pioneering contributions to the development of the science of human behavior

3. Early Thinkers Auguste Comte (1798–1857) Harriet Martineau (1802–1876)
Systematic investigation of behavior
Coined the term “sociology”
Harriet Martineau (1802–1876)
Studied social behavior in Britain and the U.S.
Emphasized impact of economy, law, trade, health, and population on social problems
Herbert Spencer (1820–1903)
Controversially proposed “evolution” in society

4. Émile Durkheim (1858–1917)
Behavior must be understood within the larger social context
Developed a fundamental thesis to help explain all forms of society
Anomie: loss of direction felt in a society when social control of individual behavior becomes ineffective
Did not limit interests to one aspect

5. Max Weber (1864–1920)
To comprehend behavior, one must learn the subjective meaning people attach to actions
Verstehen: understanding; insight
Ideal type: construct for evaluating specific cases
Émile Durkheim and Max Weber never met and probably were unaware of each other’s existence

6. Karl Marx (1818–1883)
Society divided between two classes that clash in pursuit of interests
Worked with Friedrich Engels
The Communist Manifesto
Working class should overthrow existing class system
Emphasized group identification and associations that influence one’s place in society

7. W. E. B. DuBois (1868–1963)
Among the early Black sociologists struggling for racially egalitarian society
Knowledge essential in combating prejudice
In-depth studies of urban life
Focused on religion at community level
Double consciousness: division of individual’s identity into two or more social realities

8. Twentieth-Century Developments
Charles Horton Cooley (1864–1929)
Used sociological perspective to examine face-to-face groups
Jane Addams (1860–1935)
Combined intellectual inquiry, social service work, and political activism
Co-founded Hull House

9. Twentieth-Century Developments
Robert Merton (1910–2003)
Combined theory and research
Developed dominant theory of deviant behavior
Advocated bringing together two approaches:
Macrosociology: concentrates on large-scale phenomena or entire civilizations
Microsociology: stresses study of small groups, often through experimental means

10. Twentieth-Century Developments
Pierre Bourdieu (1930–2002)
Capital sustains individuals and families from one generation to the next
Cultural capital: noneconomic goods reflected in knowledge of language and arts
Social capital: collective benefit of social networks

11. Figure 2-1: Contributors to Sociology11