An Invitation to Sociology

Summary of Topics

The Sociological Perspective

The Origins of Sociology

Theoretical Perspectives

The Sociological Perspective Sociology is the scientific study of social

structure.

Sociologists look for the patterns in social relationships.

When you understand that your own behavior is partly determined by the groups you belong to, you are using your sociological imagination.

You can benefit from this understanding when you look at how and why you make certain choices.

What is gained by using our sociological imagination?

an understanding of the effects of events on our daily lives

an improved ability to make decisions, rather than just conform

Definitions:

sociological imagination

conventional social wisdom

sociological imagination:

the ability to see the link

between society and self

The sociological imagination questions common interpretations of human

social behavior and

challenges conventional social wisdom

Definitions:

sociological imagination

conventional social wisdom

conventional social

wisdom: ideas people

assume are true

The sociological imagination questions common interpretations of human

social behavior and

challenges conventional social wisdom

Illiteracy Rates

“Nearly all American adults know how to read and write.” The map shows the percentage of Americans over 20 years old who are illiterate.

Is conventional social wisdom about illiteracy rates really wise or true? Support your answer.

*

A perspective is a particular point of view or a particular way of looking at an issue.

What is sociology?

The scientific study social structure (of human social behavior)

What is unique about sociology?

The sociological perspective focuses not on the individual, but on the social, or group level.

The Social Sciences Social science is a branch

of learning that deals with human society.

It includes a number of disciplines, which we generally refer to as the social sciences.

These disciplines differ but they share enough in common to overlap.

Anthropology

History

Political Science

Social

Sciences

Economics

Psychology

Sociology

Anthropology

Anthropology investigates culture, the customary beliefs and material traits of groups.

Anthropology

History

Political Science

Social

Sciences

Economics

Psychology

Sociology

Economics

Economics is the study of the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services.

Economics

History

Political Science

Social

Sciences

Psychology

Sociology

Anthropology

History

History examines past events in human societies.

Economics

History

Political Science

Social

Sciences

Psychology

Sociology

Anthropology

Political Science

Political science investigates the organization, administration, history, and theory of government.

Anthropology

Economics

History

Political Science

Social

Sciences

Psychology

Sociology

Psychology

Psychology investigates human mental and emotional processes.

Anthropology

Economics

History

Political Science

Psycholog

y

Social

Sciences

Sociology

Sociology

Sociology investigates human social behavior from a group rather than an individual perspective.

Anthropology

Economics

History

Political Science

Psychology

Sociolog

y

Social

Sciences

The Origins of Sociology Sociology is a young science.

It grew out of the writings of European scholars who were interested in bringing back a sense of community to society in the late 1800s.

After World War II, America took the lead in developing the field of sociology.

The majority of all sociologists are from the United States.

Auguste Comte–early French sociologist

1798–1857

father of sociology

first to advocate the scientific study of society

positivism– science based on knowledge of which we can be “positive”

distinguished between social stability (statics) and social change (dynamics)

Verstehen is associated with the writing

of Max Weber.

Verstehen (ferchaen) is the use of

empathy in the sociological or historical

understanding of human action and

behavior.

1837 Harriet Martineau publishes Society

in America

1848 Karl Marx publishes The Communist Manifesto, promoting a classless society

1897 Emile Durkheim publishes Suicide

1904 Max Weber publishes The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism

1959 C. Wright Mills publishes Sociological Imagination

1838 Auguste Comte’s book, Positive Philosophy, identifies science of sociology

1931 Jane Addams awarded

Nobel Peace Prize

W.E.B. DuBois publishes The Philadelphia Negro: A

Social Study

1850

1899

Herbert Spencer publishes Social Statics

Time Line of Early

Sociologists

Jane Addams – early American sociologist

1860–1935

social reformer

co-founded Hull House in Chicago slums

awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, 1931

focused on problems caused by imbalance of power among social classes

active in women’s suffrage and peace movements

W.E.B. DuBois–early American sociologist

1868–1963

African American educator and social activist

focused on the question of race inside and outside the United States

analyzed social structure of African American communities

active in Pan African movement, concerned with rights of all African descendents

Emile Durkheim–early French sociologist

1858–1917

first used statistical methods in study of human groups

first to teach university sociology course

showed human behavior to be explained by social factors rather than psychological ones

Harriet Martineau–early English sociologist

1802–1876

emphasized sociology as a science

translated Comte’s Positive Philosophy

introduced feminism into sociology

strong and outspoken supporter of both women and slaves

Karl Marx–early German sociologist

1818–1883

guided by principle that social scientists should try to change the world rather than merely study it

emphasized the role of class conflict in social change

writings were later used as a basis for communism

C. Wright Mills–early American sociologist

1917–1962

called the personal use of sociology “the sociological imagination”

first described emergence of strong middle class (White Collar, 1951)

published Power Elite, (1956)

father of student movement of 1960s

Herbert Spencer–early English sociologist

1820–1903

early proponent of Social Darwinism

opposed social reform; it interfered with process of natural selection

compared society to human body; composed of parts working together to promote its well-being

Max Weber–early German sociolgist

1864–1920

developed the concept of verstehen– understanding social behavior by putting yourself in the place of others

identified rationalization as key to change from preindustrial to industrial society

pioneered techniques to prevent personal biases in research

Sociology includes three major theoretical perspectives:

FUNCTIONALISM

CONFLICT

PERSPECTIVE

SYMBOLIC

INTERACTIONISM

Functionalism

Emphasizes the contributions made by each part of society

Society is a relatively integrated whole.

Society tends to seek relative stability.

Most aspects of a society contribute to the society’s well-being and survival.

Society rests on the voluntary participation of its members. FUNCTIONALISM

Conflict perspective

Emphasizes the role of conflict, competition, change, and constraint within a society

Society experiences inconsistency and conflict everywhere.

Society is continually subjected to change.

Society involves the constraint and coercion of some members by others.

CONFLICT

PERSPECTIVE

Symbolic interactionism

Focuses on the interactions among people based on mutually understood symbols.

People learn to interpret the meanings of symbols from others.

People base their interaction on their interpretations of symbols.

Symbols permit people to predict the behavior expected of them.

SYMBOLIC

INTERACTIONISM

A theoretical perspective is: a set of assumptions about an area of study, in this

case about the workings of society

viewed as true by its supporters and it helps them organize their research

Which perspective is the best?

There is no “better” theoretical perspective.

Each perspective highlights certain areas of social life.

The advantages of one perspective are the disadvantages of another.

Certain issues and problems are best understood from a particular perspective.

Society Looks at the Internet We can use technology to help us understand the role of “perspective taking.”

The Internet began as a way for military and scientific personnel to share information after a nuclear war.

ARPAnet (the Internet’s forerunner) was formed in 1969 with only four connected computers.

According to some estimates, there will be more than 500 million users worldwide by the year 2003.

Cyberspace technology showcases the usefulness of the three theoretical perspectives.

FUNCTIONALISM

CONFLICT

PERSPECTIVE

SYMBOLIC

INTERACTIONISM

Think about it...

Which perspective would you choose to conduct an in-depth study of the Internet’s effect on society? Why?

Indicate whether the following statements represent functionalism (F), the conflict perspective (C), or symbolic interactionism (S).

a. Societies are in relative balance.

b. Power is one of the most important elements in social life.

c. Symbols are crucial to social life.

d. Social life should be understood from the viewpoint of individuals involved.

e. Social change is constantly occurring.

f. Conflict is harmful and disruptive to society.

F

C

S

S

C

F

Chapter Summary

Sociology studies patterns in human social behavior. It assumes a group, rather than an individual perspective.

Sociology is a young science that started in Europe. After World War II, Americans took the lead in developing the field.

The three major theoretical perspectives are: functionalism (society as an integrated whole), conflict theory (class, race, and gender struggles), and symbolic interactionism (how group members use shared symbols as they interact).