The Development of Sociology

Development in 19th Century Europe

• Causes:– Industrialization and

urbanization caused many social changes and highlighted the impact of society on the individual

– Scientific Revolution inspired many to study social issues in a systematic way

• Sociology = study of human social behavior and institutions in a scientific manner

Early European Sociologists

• Primarily from France, Germany, and Great Britain– Auguste Comte– Harriet Martineau– Herbert Spencer– Karl Marx– Emile Durkheim– Max Weber

August Comte (1798-1857, France)• Father of sociology• One of first to apply

scientific methods to social issues

• Coined term “sociology” and believed it should be based on knowledge we can be positive is true (positivism)

• Studied social change to promote progress

Harriet Martineau (1802-1876, England)

• Used detached reporting to study American society and its promise of democracy

• Made connection between oppression of women and slavery

• Advocated that scholars should try to improve society not just study it

Herbert Spencer (1830-1903, England)

• Believed in biological model to society- society is a set of interdependent parts

• Father of social Darwinism- natural social selection would ensure “survival of the fittest”

• Sociologists and others should not interfere with social developments or problems

Karl Marx (1818-1883, Germany)

• Father of communism• Saw structure of economy as a

major influence on society• Believed imbalance of power

between classes would lead to conflict

• Emphasized role conflict plays in social change and led to development of conflict theory

Emile Durkheim (1858-1917, France)

• Developed first sociology course

• Believed in only focusing on observable social phenomena

• Focus on the specific function each part of society played in its maintenance

• Saw groups as separate from the individuals that form them

Max Weber (1864-1920, Prussia)

• Focused on effects of society on individual

• Believed sociologists should attempt to uncover people’s feelings through the meanings people attach to their actions (verstehen)

• Employed concept of the ideal type against which social reality can be measured

American Contributions• Built on European work as US

experienced its own Industrial Revolution

• First department of sociology at University of Chicago- focused on group interactions and finding practical solutions to social problems

• Expanded focus to marginalized groups– Jane Addams– W.E.B Du Bois

Jane Addams (1860-1935, US)

• Studied urban poor and provided first serious discussion on effects of industrialization and urbanization

• Focused on imbalance of power of social classes

• Developed Chicago’s Hull House to help immigrants and poor

W.E.B. Du Bois (1868-1963, US)

• Used empirical community studies to show the significance of race in American society

• Attacked assumption that African American were an inferior race

• Worked to help blacks with development of NAACP

Who is considered to be the father of sociology?

A. Max WeberB. Herbert SpencerC. Auguste ComteD. Karl Marx

Max W

eber

Herbert

Spencer

Auguste Comte

Karl Marx

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Who is the father of communism and studied conflict?

A. Max WeberB. Herbert SpencerC. Emile DurkheimD. Karl Marx

Max W

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Herbert

Spencer

Emile Durkh

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Karl Marx

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Who was the father of social Darwinism (social natural selection)?

A. Max WeberB. Herbert SpencerC. Emile DurkheimD. Harriet Martineau

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Herbert

Spencer

Emile Durkh

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Harriet M

artineau

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Who focused on individuals’ interactions and feelings?

A. Max WeberB. Jane AddamsC. Herbert SpencerD. W.E.B. Du Bois

Max W

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Jane Addams

Herbert

Spencer

W.E.B. D

u Bois

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All of the following believed sociologists should attempt to solve social problems EXCEPT

A. Jane AddamsB. Harriet MartineauC. W.E.B. Du BoisD. Herbert SpencerE. Auguste Comte

Jane Addams

Harriet M

artineau

W.E.B. D

u Bois

Herbert

Spencer

Auguste Comte

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Synthesis

• What were some of the main ideas and theories that developed during the 1800s and early 1900s about sociology?

• Which sociologist do you think was most important?