Chapter One

To better understand human society, sociologists study how humans interact with each other.

1. Describe the clothing and makeup the Huli men wear.

2. Identify the two possible meanings of the dance performed during the segment.

3. Explain why the Huli people are happy to welcome tourists.

4. State how the elder and the young boy who were interviewed feel about the traditions of their people and tourists’ role in keeping their traditions alive.

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Section 1

The primary interest of sociologists is the combination of The diversity of society/difference in how

people view a certain subjectexample: religion is a personal choice

The shared characteristics and ideas of societyexample: crime is wrong

For psychology, we had a math problem:PSYCHOLOGY = thoughts + behaviors

We have one for sociology too:SOCIOLOGY = human society + social behavior

Definition: look at social life in a scientific systematic way, rather than depending on common-sense explanations

Purpose of developingSee a connection between you and societyBroaden your view of the social worldLearn there are many views of social

realitySociological Imagination: the ability to

make a connection between your personal life and the larger world

Remember, the Social Sciences include: sociology, psychology, anthropology, history, economics, and political science

Section 2

Developed as a separate study in the late 1800s

Due to the Industrial Revolution and the many social changes due to urbanization

The Early Years—primarily in France, Germany, and England

Considered the father of sociology; he coined the name sociology

Intrigued by the causes and consequences of the French Revolution

Focused on social order and social changeSaid social statics hold society together

and social dynamics were the ways society changed

Never completed his college education

Pursued a study of sociology after inheriting enough money to quit working

Social Darwinism—coined the phrase survival of the fittest to refer to the similarities between societies and biological systems

Could never hold a job for long because of his revolutionary and radical ideas

Felt society was influenced by its economy and two groups—the proletariat (workers) and the bourgeoisie (capitalists/owners)

His views led to the development of conflict theory

Developed the first college sociology course in France

Focused only on observable phenomena

Organized the first sociological study—Suicide, 1897

Looked at separate groups in society

Verstehen: put yourself in someone else’s shoes

Employed the concept of ideal type—the basic components of features of society

FirstsCollege Class: University of Kansas, 1889College Department: University of Chicago,

1892Organization: 1905

Growth115 members in 1906Over 14,000 members today

Remember, a perspective is just an idea

Based on the ideas of Comte, Spencer, and Durkheim

View society as a set of interrelated parts that work together to ensure the social system runs smoothly

Functions—positive consequences for societyManifest Function: the intended consequenceLatent Function: the unintended consequence

Focus on the forces in society that promote competition and change; can be violent or non-violent

Competition over scarce resources (like money) is at the basis of social conflict

Focus is on how individuals interact with one another in society

Look at the role of symbols in our daily lives

Sociologists: study how society works together

Psychologists: study thoughts and behaviors of the individual

Economists: study financial situationsAnthropologists: study people—what makes

them different from animalsHistorians: study trends from the past