SociologyChapter 1

The Sociological Point of View

Section 1: Examining Social Life

Section 2: Sociology: Then and Now

What is

Sociology?

the social science

that studies human

society & social

behavior

Social Sciences? Study the "humanistic" aspects of the world,

while placing an emphasis on experimentation

and using the scientific method

Subjects: anthropology, linguistics and

education, political science, archaeology,

criminology, economics, history, communication

studies, international relations, human

geography and psychology

Other fields, such as law, cross-cultural studies,

environmental studies & social work

Comparing Sociology to

Other Social Sciences

SIMILARITIES:

Sociology

examines the

relations between

society & culture -

the individual

economics, politics,

& past events, which

are all the focus of

one or more of the

social sciences

DIFFERENCES:

Sociology is

mainly interested

in social

interaction

tend to focus on

the group rather

than on the

individual

Sociologists study all aspects and levels

of society.

A society is a group of people whose

members

interact,

reside in a definable area

share a culture

Help you better

understand yourself

& the world around

you

Look at social life in

a scientific way

rather than rely on

“common-sense”

explanations

Social Interaction how people relate to & influence each other

Often looked at through a group perspective,

rather than the individual

While observing these groups, sociologists

notice social phenomena - facts &

events that involve human society

Sociological Perspective

Behavior is learned from others

Behavior is influenced by social factors

Balance is needed between personal

desires and the demands of immediate

environment

helps us understand the hidden meanings

behind human actions

1. Helps us assess the truth of common sense

2. Helps us assess both opportunities and

constraints in our lives

3. Helps us live in a diverse world

4. Empowers us to be active participants in

our society

Sociological Imagination(C. Wright Mills, 1959)

The ability to see the

connection between the

larger world and your

personal life

Provides insight into how

your social environment

shapes you and vice versa

Transforms personal

problems into public issues

Understanding

Sociological Imagination

Consider the following issues in terms of the

sociological imagination:

Drinking & driving

Speed limits

No smoking laws

Now, think of 1-2 examples of your own

The Origins of Sociology

Rapid social & political changes that took

place in Europe due to Industrial Revolution

Rapid growth of urban populations

produced a multitude of social problems

Over time, it became more difficult to

ignore the effect of society on the individual

Sweeping political, economic & social

changes caused some scholars to question

the traditional explanations of life & they

attempted to prove their beliefs using a

variety of methods14

Early Sociologists

Comte

Spencer

Marx

Durkheim

Weber

Fathers

of

Sociology

founder

Social Darwinism

Theory & Perspective

Theory: a statement that attempts

to explain how and why facts are

related

Explains social behavior in the real

world

Theoretical Perspective: a set of

fundamental assumptions that

guide thinking (a viewpoint)

Auguste Comte(France, 1798-1857)(Functionalist Perspective)

Founder of Sociology as a distinct subject (coined the term sociology)

Theories focused on the social order & social change due to the French Revolution

Social Statics – how a society is held together

Social Dynamics – how a society changes

Karl Marx(Germany, 1818-1883)(influenced development of Conflict Theory)

Focused on the role of social class in

inequality and social conflict

Theory - Society is separated into two

classes

Capitalists ( fortunate, privileges, $$$)

Workers ( fortunate, privileges, $$$)

Workers will revolt, overthrow &

implement a classless society in which all

the parts worked for the whole

Herbert Spencer(England, 1820-1903)(Social Darwinism; Functionalist Perspective)

Strongly influenced by Charles Darwin

Theory - Society is like the human body

Society is a set of interdependent parts that work together to maintain the system over time

Social change & unrest are natural occurrences allowing society to evolve towards stability & perfection

Leave societal ills alone, allowing the “fittest societies to survive”

Emile Durkheim(France, 1858-1917)(Functionalist Perspective)

Focused on the function of religion in maintaining order

Theory -shared beliefs & values are the glue holding a society together

Thought sociologists should only study what can be directly observed (naked eye)

Conducted the first true sociological study - Suicide, 1897

Max Weber(Germany, 1864-1920)(Interactionist Perspective)

Focused on separate groups within society

Theory - sociologists should attempt to

uncover feelings & thoughts of individuals

Verstehen – understand the meanings

individuals attach to their actions; “Walk a

mile in my shoes”

Led sociologists to focus more on the effect

society has on the individual

Three Current Sociological

Perspectives

Functionalist

Conflict Theory

Interactionist

Functionalist Perspective

The Basics

Focused on society in general

Views society as a complex system whose parts

function to promote stability

Key Elements:

Most people agree on what is best for society &

work together

Interests include the function family, education, etc., serve in society

Conflict Perspective

The Basics:

Focused on groups within society and on the forces that promote competition and change

View power as the core of all social relationships

Interested in all types of competition – violent, as well as non-violent

Social change is inevitable

Key Elements:

Competition over scarce resources is the basis of social conflict

Wealth and power are limited

Dominant group vs. disadvantaged group relations

Interactionist Perspective

The Basics

Focused on how individuals interact with one another

Views society as the product of everyday interactions of individuals

Key ElementsInterested in the role symbols play in daily livesInterested in topics such as child development,

relationships within groups and mate selection

Critical Evaluation of Perspectives

Functionalist Perspective

Too broad, ignores inequalities of social class, race

& gender, focuses on stability at the expense of

conflict

Conflict Theory Perspective

Too broad, ignores how shared values and mutual

interdependence unify society, pursues political

goals

Interactionist Perspective

Too narrow, ignores larger social structures, effects

of culture, factors such as class, gender & race

Diversity in Early Sociology

Feminism & the Gender-Conflict Approach

Focuses on inequality & conflict between women

and men

Closely linked to feminism: the advocacy of

social equality for women and men

Who’s Who:

Harriet Martineau: Theory and Practice of

Society in America, 1837; translated Comte’s,

Positive Philosophy

Jane Addams: Hull House, Chicago’s West

Side, 1889

Harriet Martineau(England, 1802-1876)(Feminist Perspective)

social theorist, often cited as the first female sociologist

Prolific writer and social theorist,

Often cited as the first female

sociologist

Theory and Practice of Society in

America, 1837; also translated Comte’s,

Positive Philosophy

Jane Addams(USA, 1860-1935)(feminist perspective)

Reformer, co-founder of on the the

nation’s first settlement houses - Hull

House, Chicago’s West Side, 1889.

1st American woman to receive the

Nobel Peace Prize, 1931.

A page from

Jane Addams

FBI Case File

in 1920.

SociologyChapter 1The Sociological Point of View