Sociology Chapter 1 Section 1

“Examining the Social Life”Sociology and Other Social

SciencesStandards 1.1, 1.3, 1.7, 1.9,

& 1.11

What is Sociology? Social Science: Disciplines that study human

social behavior or institutions and the functions of human society in a scientific manner

Sociology: The Science that studies human society and social behavior

Sociologists study how people relate to each other

The focus is on the GROUP over the individual Social Interaction: how people relate to each

other and influence one another’s behavior Social Phenomenon: Observable facts or events

Other Social Sciences that Study Human Behavior 1. Anthropology Closest to Sociology

Study Past Cultures Study Present Less

“Complicated” Societies * Sociology studies

more “Complex” (Urban) Societies

2. Psychology Focus on “Individual”

behavior Exception: Social

Psychology: How does environment affect personality?

* Sociology focuses on “group” behavior

Other Social Sciences… Economics: Study how people

satisfy wants and needs

* Sociologists study distribution of economic resources and the impact of this “unequal distribution” on various social groups

Political Science: Organization and

operations of Government

Sociologists study the distribution of political power and the formation of “politically” based groups

…Other Social Sciences History

Study of the past HOW DOES THE PAST INFLUENCE THE PRESENT: Not

JUST knowing what happened! Social Structure?…etc

*Sociologists borrow freely from ALL other social sciences

Thinking Like a Sociologist Your… Values Beliefs Lifestyle Choices Experiences Historical Events Technologies Are all influenced by

Sociology and Shape who you are

Eg. Internet: has created a “New Form” of isolation- many people are spending too much time “online” and not enough with family

Internet is also positive because it can “broaden” horizons

Crime: FBI: Violent crime is committed every 22 Seconds

Sociological Perspective By taking a scientific look

into human group behavior, one can gain a view of oneself in relation to the rest of society

One can also look beyond common beliefs and find hidden meanings behind human actions Middle vs. Lower Class How do expectations

of society affect individual behavior?

Help to find a balance between personal desires and demands of environment

How does environment shape individual beliefs?

Answer These Three Questions List five ways that the current political/social

unrest in the Middle East affects you Draft; Gas Prices…etc List five ways that illegal immigration into the

United States affects you or your family Jobs; Taxes…etc List some ways that “outsourcing” can affect you Steel Mills vs. Foreign Steel (Tariffs vs. Foreign

retaliation)- Lack of GOOD jobs

Sociological Imagination C. Wright Mills “…ability to see the

connection between the larger world and our personal lives.” Ex. War in the Middle

East and rising gas prices

Sociology

Chapter 1 Section 2“The Development of

Sociology”1.2-1.11

The Early Years Sociology did not develop until the 1800’s (The “New”

Science) Industrial Revolution: Major reason for the emergence of Sociology

With the Industrial Revolution came the emergence of MODERN CITIES

Social Problems developed 1. Work 2. Housing 3. Crime 4. Pollution Political Problems of late 1700 early 1800’s American and French Revolutions

“Why did this happen?”

Early European Scholars Birthplace(s) France, Germany, and

England *Early Industrialized

Nations

*Comte: Influenced later sociologists*

Auguste Comte: “Father of Sociology” First to use to term French: 1789-1857 Wanted to find

solutions to chaos of revolution

Developed scientific approach to social issues

Two basic problems: “Order and Change”

Social Statics: Society remains stable over long period of time (China)

Social Dynamics: Elements change to allow for social change

Harriet Martineau: 1802-1876 Born into a middle class English family 1837: Wrote Society in America: Based

on observations made while traveling in U.S.

Review of how well the U.S. lived up to its promise of Democracy

Believed that Scholars should “objectively” study society and promote positive change from research

Why do you think many ofHarriet Martineau’s theorieswere ignored by Sociologists?

Herbert Spencer and Social Darwinism Herbert Spencer English: 1820-1903 Influenced by Charles Darwin Darwin wrote the Origin of Species “Survival of the fittest” Social Darwinism: Spencer took Darwin’s

theories and applied them to human SOCIETY (Compared Society to Nature)

Would Herbert Spencer support our Welfare System? Why/Why not?

Karl Marx and the Conflict Perspective

Karl Marx German: 1818-1883 Died Poor Society based on structure of

economy Wrote “Communist

Manifesto” Society broken into two

classes Bourgeoisie: Capitalists: Own

the means of production Proletariat: Labor and Skill

workers: Middle class Classes will experience conflict Conflict will lead to social unrest Unrest will lead to a failure in “the

system”

Conflict Perspective

Advocated by Marx

Focus on forces in society that lead to inequality, competition, and change

*Conflict WILL lead to change

*Most influential theory of the Twentieth Century

Later European Scholars Emile Durkheim French: 1858-1903 First to apply methods of science to

social issues (Scientific Method) Tested theories through use of Statistics Did in-depth research on Suicide Functionalists Perspective Different aspects of society interrelate

with one another to hold society together

Ex. Religion has a role in keeping society stable by teaching a morals

Functionalist Perspective

Spencer and Durkheim Society is a set of interrelated parts that

work together to form stability in society People agree on what is best and Most follow

the rules Function: Consequence that an element of

society produces for the maintenance of social stability (Religion)

Dysfunction: Something that takes away from the stability of society (Crime)

Manifest function: Intended function of some element of society (LAWS: keep order)

Latent function: Unintended function of some element of society (Cell phone = communication and “Social Status”)

Max Weber (Vay bur) Germany: 1864-1920 1910: Founded the German

Sociological Society Focused on “smaller” groups and

individuals Interactionist Verstehen (fehr-shtay-en)

Empathy Putting yourself in someone

else’s place Ideal Type: Essential

Characteristic of some aspect of society

Ex: School: all are not “Exactly” the same, but they are very close

American Scholars Jane Addams: 1860-1935 Founded Hull House- See Page 13

W.E.B. Dubois 1868-1963 Wrote: The Souls

of Black Folk: 1903 Helped found the

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People NAACP: 1906