1. Unit1 – Sociological Perspective Chapter 1 – An Invitation to Sociology

2. A Perspective on Sociology What Is Sociology – YouTube Video

3. Section 1: The Sociological Perspective A. Vocabulary 1. Perspective: a particular point of view 2. Sociology: the scientific study of social structure (human social behavior) 3. Sociological perspective: a view that looks at the behavior of groups, not individuals 4. Social structure: the patterned interaction of a people in social relationships 5. Sociological imagination: the ability to see the link between society and self

4. B. The Nature of Sociology 1.What is Sociology? Study of social structure - patterned interaction of a people in social relationships (groups) 2. What is unique about sociology? Never focuses on the individual - focuses on the group > explains the actions or events without relying on the personal factors

5. C. The Importance of Patterns 1.How do groups and individual behavior differ? Groups are not identified by the traits of the individual (ex: bronze, not lead+copper+tin) - groups are not predicted by individuals, new separate 2. Why do people conform? Members of a group think, feel, and behave in similar ways - regardless of the size of the group; taught to value certain preferences - “group is more than the sum of its parts”

6. D. Acquiring the Sociological Imagination What is gained by using our sociological imagination? People do not act in isolation > helps one to understand the effects of events, questions common interpretations of human social behavior, challenges conventional social wisdom What happens when you ASSUME?

8. Another Way to Look at This Sociology: a science guided by the basic understanding that “social matters: our lives are affected not only by our individual characteristics, but by our place in the social world.” Sociological Imagination -the ability to look beyond the individual as the cause for success and failure and see how one’s society influences the outcome. Individual Choice vs. Social Forces Solidarity - the level of connectedness a person feels to others in the environment Social Control - the social mechanisms that regulate a person’s actions

9. Section 2: The Origins of Sociology A. Vocabulary 1. Positivism: the belief that knowledge should be derived from scientific observation 2. Social statics: the study of social stability and order 3. Social dynamics: the study of social change 4. Bourgeoisie: class owning the means for producing wealth 5. Capitalist: persons who own or control the means of producing wealth 6. Proletariat: class that labors without owning the means of production; those who labor for the bourgeoisie

10. A. Vocabulary (continued) 7. Class conflict: the ongoing struggle between the bourgeoisie (owners) and the proletariat (working) class 8. Mechanical solidarity: social dependency based on a widespread consensus of values and beliefs, enforced conformity, and dependence on tradition and family 9. Organic solidarity: social interdependency based on a high degree of specialization in roles 10. Verstehen: understanding social behavior by putting yourself in the place of others 11. Rationalization: the mind-set emphasizing knowledge, reason, and planning

11. Auguste Comte “Father of Sociology” oImprovement of society oSociology could use scientific procedures and promote social progress Major Ideas: positivism, sociology, social statics, social dynamics

12. Harriet Martineau oTranslated Comte’s Positive Philosophy from French to English oBelieved in a link between slavery and the oppression of women Major idea: feminism

13. Herbert Spencer oSociety = parts working together for well-being and survival oSocial change leads to progress oSurvival of the fittest in society oSocial reform interfered with selection Major ideas: social stability, Social Darwinism

14. Karl Marx oSocial scientists should try to change the world, not just study it oConflict between the “haves” and the “have nots” would result in a classless society oRevolution! Major ideas: Class conflict, Capitalism vs. Communism

15. Emile Durkheim oPre-industrial: consensus of beliefs - mechanical solidarity oIndustrial: interdependence with specialized roles - organic solidarity oStatistical techniques Major ideas: mechanical and organic solidarity

16. Max Weber oStudied the nature of power oProtestant Work Ethic oHumans act on the basis of their own understanding (values, beliefs, attitudes) oStudy others by putting yourself in their shoes oUse reason not superstition Major ideas: verstehen, rationalization

17. Jane Addams oProblems are caused by an imbalance of power oEffects of industrialization on the lower classes Major ideas: Women’s suffrage, discrimination

18. W. E. B. DuBois oChallenged the theory that blacks were inferior oAnalyzed social structure in black communities Major ideas: racial discrimination and segregation, the “Negro Problem,” and Pan Africa

19. Section 3: Theoretical Perspective A. Vocabulary 1.Theoretical perspective: a set of assumptions accepted as true 2.Functionalism: approach that emphasizes the contributions made by each part of society 3. Manifest functions: actions that produce an intended and recognized result 4. Latent functions: actions that produce an unintended and unrecognized result 5. Dysfunction: negative consequences of an aspect of society

20. A.Vocabulary (continued) 6. Conflict perspective: approach emphasizing the role of conflict, competition, and constraints within a society 7. Power: the ability to control the behavior of others 8. Symbol: anything that stands for something else and has an agreed- upon meaning attached to it 9. Symbolic interactionism: approach that focuses on the interactions among people based on mutually understood symbols 10. Dramaturgy: approach that depicts human interaction as theatrical performances

21. B. The Role of Theoretical Perspectives What is theoretical perspective? A set of assumptions about a society - perceived as true by its supporters 1. Functionalism 2. Conflict theory 3. Symbolic interactionism

22. C. Functionalism 1.How does functionalism explain social change? Parts of society are an integrated whole - a change in one part causes change(s) in other parts but societies tend to return to a state of stability 2. Do all functions have a positive effect? NO - manifest (intended) and latent (unintended) are positive while dysfunctions are negative 3. How does functionalism view values? It is through consensus of values that cooperation exists in society

24. D. Conflict Perspective 1.What is the role of conflict and constraint? Social living is a contest based on the disagreements between/among various groups - those with the most power have the ability to control the behavior of others 2. How does the conflict perspective explain the social change? Many conflicting groups in one society - as the balance of power shifts, change occurs 3. Which perspective is better? There is no “better”

26. E. Symbolic Interactionism 1.What is the significance of symbols in symbolic interactionism? Symbols are something observable that represents something not observable - the meaning of symbols are assigned by the people in the group - understanding vs. chaos 2. What are the basic assumptions of symbolic interactionism? oMeaning(s) of a symbol are learned from the way we see others reacting to it oBehaviors are based on the meaning(s) of a symbol oMeaning(s) of a symbol are used to predict how others will respond to our behavior

28. Another Way of Looking at Symbolic Interactionism - U.S. Divorce Rate Until the 1900s, Americans thought of marriage as sacred, lifelong commitment. Divorce was seen as immoral, harmful action, a flagrant disregard for public opinion. - MEANING OF MARRIAGE BEGAN TO CHANGE In 1933, sociologist William Ogburn observed that personality was becoming more important in mate selection. In 1945, sociologists Ernest Burgess and Havery Locke noted the growing importance of mutual affection, understanding, and compatibility in marriage.

29. U.S. Divorce Rate (continued) Gradually, people’s views changed. No longer did they see marriage as a lifelong commitment based on duty and obligation. Instead, they began to see marriage as an arrangement, often temporary, that was based on feelings of intimacy. The meaning of divorce also changed. Once a symbol of failure, it now became an indicator of freedom and new beginnings. Removing the stigma from divorce shattered a strong barrier that had prevented husbands and wives from breaking up.

30. U.S. Divorce Rate & Related Symbols Because of tradition -newlyweds used to know what they could expect from each other. In today’s vaguer guidelines - couples must figure out how to divide up responsibilities for work, home, and children. As they struggle to do so, many flounder. Although couples find it a relief not to have to conform to what they consider to be burdensome notions, those expectations (SYMBOLS) did provide structure that made marriages last. When these symbols changed, that structure weakened, making marriages more fragile and divorce more common.

31. Comparing Theoretical Perspectives FunctionalismConflict Theory Symbolic Interactionism Core Questions -What keeps society functioning smoothly? -What are the parts of society and how do they relate? -What are the intended and unintended out comes of an event? -How are wealth & power distributed in society? -How do people with wealth & power keep them? -Are there groups that get ahead in society? Why? -How are society’s resources and opportunities divided? -How do people co-create the society? -How does social interaction influence, create, and sustain human relationships? -Do people change behavior from one setting to another? Why?

32. Did Ya Get It Questions? Answer the questions on a separate sheet of paper. These will be collected by your teacher as well as discussed in class. You do not need to write in complete sentences but please be as thorough as possible.

33. 1. Categorizing Information: Merton’s theory of manifest and latent functions (see p. 26) could easily be applied to high schools. Using Northern High School as a model, identify three manifest functions of high schools and three latent functions of high schools.

34. Categorizing Information Manifest FunctionsLatent Functions

35. 2. Evaluating Information: You must select one of the job opportunities in sociology listed on p. 12 for your career. Which one would you choose? Suggest ways in which the job fits your personality, abilities, interests, and ambitions.

36. Evaluating Information Social services Community work Corrections Business College settings Health services Publishing/journalism/PR Government services Teaching

37. 3. Analyzing Information: Spitting in public is not an appropriate behavior, but people “spit” all the time. When we drink soda, we usually leave a little spit in the can/bottle. When we kiss someone, we are transmitting spit. We don’t think in these terms, because in some cases we call spit by a more scientific term – saliva. How would the sociologist perspective help to understand and explain why we flip back and forth between these two terms?

38. Analyzing Information Spit vs. Saliva

39. 4. Observations: During lunch discreetly observe people for 10-15 minutes. It is important that you do not appear to be spying on individuals, both because it may be interpreted as being rude and also because it would probably affect their normal behaviors. Write down your observations, not such details as type of dress, general interactions, and level of activity. Do not assume any value judgments about your subjects; just make observations.

40. Observations oDress: oInteractions: oLevel of activity: