Define “sociology” in your own words.

CHAPTER 1: The Sociological Point of View

1. Examining Social Life

2. Sociology: Then and Now

EXAMINING SOCIAL LIFE Sociology- Science that

studies human society and social behavior.

Social Interaction- How people relate to one another and influence each other’s behavior.

Phenomenon- An observable fact or event.

THE SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE

Teaches us to look at social life in a scientific, systematic way.

Sociological Imagination- Ability to see the connection between the larger world and our personal lives.

Poverty, for example, often is the result of high

unemployment

SOCIOLOGY’S PLACE IN THE SOCIAL SCIENCES

Social Sciences- Related disciplines that studies various aspects of human behavior.

Anthropology- Comparative study of various aspects of past and present cultures

SOCIOLOGY’S PLACE IN THE SOCIAL SCIENCES

Economics- Study of choices people make in an effort to satisfy their wants and needs.

Political Science- Examination of the organization and operation of governments.

History- Study of past events.

HITLER’S RISE TO POWER HAS BEEN OF INTEREST TO ALL OF

THE SOCIAL SCIENCES

SOCIOLOGY: THEN AND NOW The development of

sociology as a distinct field of study began during the industrial revolution in the 17th and 18th centuries.

The rapid explosion of the urban population produced a multitude of social problems.

Individual liberties and rights become the focus of a wide variety of political movements.

THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

THE FRENCH REVOLUTION

THE EARLY YEARS

Sociology took root in the 19th century, primarily in France, Germany, and England.

These nations had most strongly felt the effects of the Industrial Revolution.

THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION

AUGUSTE COMTE French philosopher usually

considered the founder of sociology because he was the first person to use the term to describe the study of society.

Comte believed that sociologists should be concerned with two basic problems- Order and Change

He was concerned with finding solutions to the chaos created by the French Revolution.

HE BELIEVED HIS NEW SCIENCE COULD GIVE STABILITY TO SCIENCE

KARL MARX Believed that the

overall structure of society is heavily influenced by how the economy is organized.

According to Marx, the ills of capitalism would not be solved until the workers overthrew those in power.

Author of the Communist Manifesto.

THE WRITINGS OF MARX LARGELY WERE A REACTION TO THE HARSH SOCIAL CONDITIONS PRODUCED BY THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION

HERBERT SPENCER Spencer was strongly

influenced by Charles Darwin.

Social Darwinism- “Survival of the Fittest”

He believed that the fittest societies would survive over time, leading to a general upgrading of the world as a whole. SPENCER

COMPARED SOCIETY TO A LIVING ORGANISM

SOCIAL DARWINISM

EMILE DURKHEIM

First sociologist to systematically apply the methods of science to the study of society.

Like Spencer, he saw society as a set of interdependent parts that maintain the system over time.

Function- The positive consequence that an element of society has for the maintenance of the social system.

MAX WEBER Unlike others, Weber

was interested more in groups within society than the social whole.

Verstehen- Empathetic understanding of the meanings others attach to their actions.

Ideal Type- Description of the essential characteristics of some aspect of society. UNLIKE OTHER SOCIOLOGISTS OF

HIS DAY, MAX WEBER THOUGHT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND

THE INDIVIDUAL

CURRENT PERSPECTIVES Theory- Systematic

explanation of the relationships among phenomena.

Theoretical Perspective- General set of assumptions about the nature of phenomena.

Three broad theoretical perspectives form the basis of modern sociology. Each presents a different image of society or focuses on different aspects of social life.

FUNCTIONAL PERSPECTIVE

Functional Perspective- View society as a set of interrelated parts that work together to produce a stable social system.

Function- Positive consequence that an element of society has for the maintenance of the social system.

Dysfunction- Negative consequence an element has for the stability of the social system.

Dysfunction Example: Crime

Function Example: Cooperation in the workplace

FUNCTIONAL PERSPECTIVE CONTINUED

In addition to being either positive or negative, functions can be either manifest or latent.

Manifest Function- Intended and recognized consequence of some element of society.

Latent Function- Unintended and unrecognized consequence of an element of society.

An automobile is to provide speedy transportation from one location to

another.

An automobile is used to gain social standing through the display of wealth.

CONFLICT PERSPECTIVE

Conflict Perspective- Focus on the factors in society that promote competition and change.

Those who posses more power in society exercise control over those with less power.

Competition over scarce resources or wealth and power are at the basis of social conflict.

WORKERS OF THE WORLD UNITE

INTERACTIONIST PERSPECTIVE Interactionist Perspective-

Focus on how individuals interact with one another in society.

Symbol- Anything that stands for something else

Symbolic Interaction- Interaction that takes place through the use of symbols.

This perspective can be traced back to the work of Max Weber.

The military salute, for example, is a symbol through which soldiers show

their respect for authority.