© 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 1-1 © 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies,...

© 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

1-1


SOCIOLOGY:A Brief Introduction

Richard T. Schaefer

Seventh Edition

chapter


CHAPTER OUTLINE

• What is Sociology?• What is Sociological Theory• The Development of Sociology• Major Theoretical Perspectives• Applied and Clinical Sociology• Developing a Sociological Imagination• Careers in Sociology

1UNDERSTANDING SOCIOLOGY


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– How did sociology develop?– In what ways does it differ from other

social sciences?– Does it relate to other social sciences?– Who are the pioneers?– What are the three theoretical

perspectives sociologists use?

█ Sociology

A Look Ahead


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█ Sociology: Scientific study of social behavior in human groups

What is Sociology?

█ Focus on:– How relationships influence people’s

attitudes and behavior

– How societies develop and change


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the ability to view one’s society as an outsider would, without one’s limited experiences and cultural biases

An awareness of the relationship between an individual and the wider society, and…

The SociologicalImagination

█ C. Wright Mills describes sociological imagination as


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The SociologicalImagination

█ Looks beyond a limited understanding of human behavior

– View the world and its people in a new way

– See through a broader lens


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Sociology and Science

█ Science: body of knowledge obtained by methods based on systematic observation

– Natural Science: study of physical features of nature and the ways they interact and change

– Social Science: study of social features of humans and the ways they interact and change


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Sociology and Science

█ Study the influence that society has on people’s attitudes and behavior

█ Seek to understand ways in which people interact and shape society

█ Examine social relationships with others scientifically


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Money is the root of all evil

Love knows no reason

Sociology and Common Sense

█ Sociologists do not accept something as fact because “everyone knows it”– Each piece of information must be tested,

recorded, and analyzed

Disasters create panic


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Figure 1-1: Poverty Rates in Hurricane Katrina Disaster Area

Source: Bureau of the Census 2005g.


1-11What Is Sociological Theory?

█ Theory– Set of statements that seeks to explain

problems, actions, or behavior

– Effective theories have explanatory and predictive power

– Theories are never a final statement about human behavior


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█ Philosophers/religious authorities of ancient and medieval societies made observations of human behavior

The Development of Sociology

– Did not test or verify█ European theorists made pioneering

contributions to development of science of human behavior


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Early Thinkers

– Believed systematic investigation of behavior was needed to improve society

– Coined term “sociology”

█ Auguste Comte 1798–1857

█ Harriet Martineau (1802–1876)– Studied social behavior in Britain and U.S.– Emphasized impact economy, law, trade,

health, and population could have on social problems


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█ Herbert Spencer 1820–1903

Early Thinkers

– Studied “evolutionary” change in society

█ Émile Durkheim (1858–1917)– Developed fundamental thesis to help

explain all forms of society• Behavior must be understood within larger social

context

Anomie: loss of direction felt in a society when social control of individual behavior becomes ineffective


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█ Max Weber (1864–1920)

Early Thinkers

– To fully comprehend behavior, we must learn the subjective meaning people attach to their actions• Employ verstehen (understanding; insight)

Ideal Type: construct for evaluating specific cases


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█ Karl Marx (1818-1883)

Early Thinkers

– Society fundamentally divided between two classes that clashed in pursuit of interests

– Worked with Engels– Emphasized group

identification and associations that influence one’s place in society

Working class should overthrow existing

class system


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█ Charles Horton Cooley 1864–1929

Early Thinkers

– Used sociological perspective to look at face-to-face groups such as families, gangs, and friendship networks

█ Jane Addams 1860–1935– Combined intellectual inquiry, social service

work, and political activism


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█ Robert Merton 1910–2003

Early Thinkers

– Combined theory and research– Developed frequently cited explanation of

deviant behavior

Macrosociology: concentrates on large-scale phenomena or entire civilization

Microsociology: stresses study of small groups, often through experimental means


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Aging and the Life CourseMarxist Sociology

Alcohol, Drugs, and TobaccoMathematical Sociology

Animals and SocietyMedical Sociology

Asia and Asian AmericaMental Health

Children and YouthMethodology

Collective Behavior and Social Movements Organizations, Occupations, and WorkCommunications and Information Technologies Peace, War, and Social ConflictCommunity and Urban Sociology

Political Economy of the World-SystemComparative and Historical SociologyPolitical SociologyCrime, Law, and Deviance

PopulationCulture

Race, Gender, and ClassEconomic Sociology

Racial and Ethnic MinoritiesEducation

Rationality and SocietyEmotions

ReligionEnvironment and Technology

Science, Knowledge, and TechnologyEthnomethodology and Conversational Analysis Sex and GenderFamily

SexualitiesHistory of Sociology

Social PsychologyInternational Movements

Sociological PracticeLabor and Labor Movements

Teaching and LearningLatino/a Sociology

TheoryLaw

Table 1-1: Sections of the American Sociological Association

Source: American Sociological Association 2005a.


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█ Three general views of society

Major Theoretical Perspectives

– Functionalist perspective– Conflict perspective– Interactionist perspective


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█ Emphasizes that parts of a society are structured to maintain its stability

Functionalist Perspective

– Talcott Parsons (1902 – 1972) key contributor

– Viewed society as vast network of connected parts, each of which helps to maintain the system as a whole


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– Manifest Functions: institutions are open, stated, conscious functions that involve intended, recognized, consequences of an aspect of society

Functionalist Perspective

– Latent Functions: unconscious or unintended functions that may reflect hidden purposes of an institution

– Dysfunctions: element or process of a society that may actually disrupt the social system or disrupt its stability


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█ Assumes social behavior is best understood in terms of conflict or tension between competing groups

Conflict Perspective

█ The Marxist View: conflict is part of everyday life in all societies– Conflict theorists are more “radical” and

“activist” than functionalists


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█ An African American View: W. E. B. DuBois

Conflict Perspective

– Conducted research to assist the struggle for a racially egalitarian society

– Believed knowledge essential to combating prejudice and achieving tolerance and justice

– In-depth studies of urban life


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█ Views inequity in gender as central to all behavior and organization

Feminist Perspective

█ Sometimes allied with conflict theory█ Also focuses on micro-level relationships,

just as interactionists do


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█ Generalizes about everyday forms of social interaction to understand society as a whole

Interactionist Perspective

█ Sociological framework for viewing humans as living in a world of meaningful objects

Nonverbal communication: can include many gestures, facial expressions, and postures


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█ George Herbert Mead (1863—1931)

Interactionist Perspective

█ Erving Goffman (1922—1982)– Dramaturgical approach: people seen as

theatrical performers


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Figure 1-3: Enforcing symbols: The NBA Dress Code

Source: Crowe and Herman 2005:a23.


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█ Gain broadest understanding of society by drawing on all major perspectives, noting where they overlap or where they diverge

The Sociological Approach

█ Each perspective offers unique insights into the same issue

█ A researcher’s work always will be guided by his or her theoretical viewpoint


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Table 1-2: Sociological Major Perspectives


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█ Applied Sociology: use of the discipline of sociology with the intent of yielding practical applications for human behavior and organizations

Applied and Clinical Sociology

█ Clinical Sociology: facilitating change by altering social relationships or restructuring social institutions


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█ Theory in Practice

Developing a Sociological Imagination

█ Research in Action█ Thinking Globally

– Globalization: worldwide integration of government policies, cultures, social movements, and financial markets through trade and the exchange of ideas


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█ The Significance of Social Inequality

Developing a Sociological Imagination

– Social inequality: condition in which members of society have differing amounts of wealth, prestige, or power

█ Speaking Across Race, Gender, and Religious Boundaries

█ Social Policy Throughout the World


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█ Number of students graduating with a degree in sociology has risen steadily

Careers in Sociology

– Provides strong liberal arts background for entry-level positions• Business• Social services• Foundations• Community organizations• Law enforcement• Government


1-35Figure 1-4: Sociology Degrees Conferred in the

United States by Gender

Source: American Sociological Association 2005c.


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Figure 1-5: Occupational Fields of Sociology BA/MA Graduates

Source: Schaefer 1998b.

© 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 1-1 © 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies,...

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Transcript of © 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. 1-1 © 2008 The McGraw-Hill Companies,...