2. Sociologist, Sociological Methods & Sociological Theory

3. The Founders of Sociology (the big 6) August Comte (1798-1857) August Comte (1798-1857) Father of Sociology Father of Sociology Positivism Positivism Humanity can be bettered through science and its application to society. Humanity can be bettered through science and its application to society.

4. The Founders of Sociology (the big 6) Herbert Spencer (1820 – 1903) Herbert Spencer (1820 – 1903) Stressed how each part of society is interrelated, similar to living organism. Stressed how each part of society is interrelated, similar to living organism. Advocated Social Darwinism, and the idea of the survival of the fittest. Advocated Social Darwinism, and the idea of the survival of the fittest.

5. The Founders of Sociology (the big 6) George Herbert Mead ( 1863 – 1931) George Herbert Mead ( 1863 – 1931) Developed philosophy of role play – people learn to behave correctly in society through playing different roles during childhood Developed philosophy of role play – people learn to behave correctly in society through playing different roles during childhood Example: As a child, playing game of teacher & pupil, one learns the appropriate behavior for each role. Example: As a child, playing game of teacher & pupil, one learns the appropriate behavior for each role. This process also teaches empathy. This process also teaches empathy. His work lead to the rise of symbolic interactionists- they examine the way people go about daily life and engage socially. His work lead to the rise of symbolic interactionists- they examine the way people go about daily life and engage socially.

6. The Founders of Sociology (the big 6) Emile Durkheim (1858 – 1917) Emile Durkheim (1858 – 1917) First one to get sociology recognized as specific discipline First one to get sociology recognized as specific discipline Social Integration Social Integration Your connection to society relates to your actions. Your connection to society relates to your actions. Suicide those more connected are less likely to kill themselves. Suicide those more connected are less likely to kill themselves. Believed a collective consciousness (shared set of social values) controls society. Believed a collective consciousness (shared set of social values) controls society. Anomie - when control breaks down, or collective consciousness weakens Anomie - when control breaks down, or collective consciousness weakens Social Facts: Patterns of behavior that characterize a social group. Marriages in June Social Facts: Patterns of behavior that characterize a social group. Marriages in June

7. The Founders of Sociology (the big 6) Karl Marx ( 1818 – 83) Karl Marx ( 1818 – 83) Society exists when people come together to produce necessities of life. Society exists when people come together to produce necessities of life. Basis of society is economic production. Basis of society is economic production. His writing led to the development of critical sociology which examines the ways it is believed that the ruling class dominates society. His writing led to the development of critical sociology which examines the ways it is believed that the ruling class dominates society.

8. The Founders of Sociology (the big 6) Max Weber ( 1864 – 1920) Max Weber ( 1864 – 1920) Did not believe economics was central force, but that it was religion instead. Did not believe economics was central force, but that it was religion instead. Example: Example: Durkheimer and Marx would view a family as a structure – father, mother, children, each linked in certain physical or legal ways. Durkheimer and Marx would view a family as a structure – father, mother, children, each linked in certain physical or legal ways. Weber would view the family as a set of actins – the action of living together and sharing activities. Weber would view the family as a set of actins – the action of living together and sharing activities. Used the term verstehen to describe the need for seeing an action through the eyes of the individual involved (the individuals perception of the situation) Used the term verstehen to describe the need for seeing an action through the eyes of the individual involved (the individuals perception of the situation) His work can easily be partnered with the work of Durkheim, you need both. His work can easily be partnered with the work of Durkheim, you need both.

9. Methods of Social Research Natural observation – a researcher watches the behavior of groups in their natural setting. Natural observation – a researcher watches the behavior of groups in their natural setting. Experimental method – a research method conducted in a carefully controlled setting to determine relationships between variables. Experimental method – a research method conducted in a carefully controlled setting to determine relationships between variables. Participant observation – a researcher participates in the group life of the subjects of the study. Participant observation – a researcher participates in the group life of the subjects of the study.

10. Methods of Social Research Case study – an extensive, in-depth study of a single case – a person, work group, etc. Case study – an extensive, in-depth study of a single case – a person, work group, etc. Content analysis – a study of any form of communication to determine characteristics such as social trends and patterns of a culture by counting the number of times specific words or ideas appear. Content analysis – a study of any form of communication to determine characteristics such as social trends and patterns of a culture by counting the number of times specific words or ideas appear. Historical analysis – a study of the records of the past (leaflets, laws, letters, diaries, newspapers, etc) to prove or disprove a hypothesis. Historical analysis – a study of the records of the past (leaflets, laws, letters, diaries, newspapers, etc) to prove or disprove a hypothesis.

11. Methods of Social Research The Subjects… Random Sample – a sample in which every person in the total group has an equal chance of being chosen (ex: researches may choose every 5 th shopper) Random Sample – a sample in which every person in the total group has an equal chance of being chosen (ex: researches may choose every 5 th shopper) Quota or representative sample – a representative cross-section of the population being studied (ex: the number surveyed in a factory must have the same percentage of males & females as does the whole factory). Quota or representative sample – a representative cross-section of the population being studied (ex: the number surveyed in a factory must have the same percentage of males & females as does the whole factory).

12. Methods of Social Research Interview method – a researcher asks questions directly of a number of subjects to determine opinions, attitudes, behavior, etc. Interview method – a researcher asks questions directly of a number of subjects to determine opinions, attitudes, behavior, etc. Questionnaire method – a researcher distributes handouts listing questions to subjects to determine opinions, attitudes, behavior, etc Questionnaire method – a researcher distributes handouts listing questions to subjects to determine opinions, attitudes, behavior, etc

13. Theories to know Functionalist Perspective: Every group, action, or institution in society serves a purpose! (a function!) Functionalist Perspective: Every group, action, or institution in society serves a purpose! (a function!) Conflict Theory: Conflict Theory: Karl Marxs theory that society is driven by one group trying to maintain dominance over another. Symbolic Interactionists: Symbolic Interactionists: Society is the sum of all the individual relationships and reactions that make up the greater society. (This is more of grass roots sociology, or societys norms and values are formed from the ground up!)