Introduction to SociologyIntroduction to Sociology

The Basic Insight of Sociology:The Basic Insight of Sociology:– Human behavior is socially conditioned.Human behavior is socially conditioned.– Probabilities and rates are often determined.Probabilities and rates are often determined.

Social structures often involve multiple Social structures often involve multiple causes operating at multiple levels.causes operating at multiple levels.– It is not quite true that “Anything is possible”It is not quite true that “Anything is possible”– Nor is true that “Nothing can be different.”Nor is true that “Nothing can be different.”

Syllabus and Course Syllabus and Course RequirementsRequirements

Many materials are on the web page.Many materials are on the web page.– SyllabusSyllabus

The web copy will be updated as neededThe web copy will be updated as needed

And has active linksAnd has active links– For example self-tests and project specifications. For example self-tests and project specifications. – These power point lectures (with links to course themes These power point lectures (with links to course themes

and glossary) can be printed in different formsand glossary) can be printed in different forms

Volunteers to help those with net problems Volunteers to help those with net problems or questions: at web-helpor questions: at web-help

Sociology: The scientific study Sociology: The scientific study of society.of society.

Sociology is often concerned with rates and Sociology is often concerned with rates and probabilities. For example,probabilities. For example,– Murder ratesMurder rates– Suicide ratesSuicide rates– Divorce ratesDivorce rates– Probabilities of terrorism …Probabilities of terrorism …

We often do not need to predict individual We often do not need to predict individual behaviors in order to predict and explain rates.behaviors in order to predict and explain rates.The predictability of rates is one of the reasons The predictability of rates is one of the reasons that we do not assume that "anything is that we do not assume that "anything is possible." possible."

Example #1Example #1

the zip code trick the zip code trick – (*p.4 - i.e. this example is described in Sociology, Micro, (*p.4 - i.e. this example is described in Sociology, Micro,

Macro and Mega p.4) Macro and Mega p.4) – One knows a great deal about someone from their zip code.One knows a great deal about someone from their zip code.

One's zip code changes the odds of virtually any kind One's zip code changes the odds of virtually any kind of behavior:of behavior:– music, sex, voting, reading, grades.music, sex, voting, reading, grades.– E.g. Probability of going to college from 90210 and from E. E.g. Probability of going to college from 90210 and from E.

L. A.L. A.– The zip code mainly reflects social class.The zip code mainly reflects social class.

This is the point of Table 1.1 (*pp.16-18).    This is the point of Table 1.1 (*pp.16-18).    

Approach to sociology in terms Approach to sociology in terms of social problemsof social problems

3 x 5 card3 x 5 card:: What is the most serious social problem What is the most serious social problem we face?  we face?  What does it mean to say that something What does it mean to say that something is a “Social Problem?”is a “Social Problem?”What causes the social problems? What causes the social problems? Sociological Imagination; micro- and Sociological Imagination; micro- and macro-level analysis; keeping our levels macro-level analysis; keeping our levels straight straight

Example #2: 187 – a sick schoolExample #2: 187 – a sick school

Benny leads the class in trashing the Benny leads the class in trashing the class and throwing books on the ground.class and throwing books on the ground.As a substitute teacher, what do you do?As a substitute teacher, what do you do?Depending on the level that we address Depending on the level that we address it different responses are appropriate:it different responses are appropriate:

1.1. Micro: Benny’s character: get rid of him.Micro: Benny’s character: get rid of him.2.2. Macro: the role of KOS head: get rid of it.Macro: the role of KOS head: get rid of it.3.3. Mega: the conditions generating KOS: get Mega: the conditions generating KOS: get

rid of them. rid of them.

Thinking in Systems Terms Thinking in Systems Terms Pettigrew, in Pettigrew, in How To Think Like a Social How To Think Like a Social ScientistScientist says that social causation is usually says that social causation is usually multicausal at multiple levels.multicausal at multiple levels.

1.1. Multiple causes: since many causes are Multiple causes: since many causes are operating, each one has only a statistical operating, each one has only a statistical effect.effect.

2.2. Since there is a cascade of effects of any Since there is a cascade of effects of any action, estimating the net effect is complex.action, estimating the net effect is complex.

3.3. Any action to be explained usually exists at Any action to be explained usually exists at such different levels as the individual actor, such different levels as the individual actor, the role and the structure.the role and the structure.

Two Responses to Social Two Responses to Social ProblemsProblems

IndividualIndividual explanations and solutions explanations and solutions– Change individuals’ behaviorsChange individuals’ behaviors– E.g. rewards, punishments, incarcerationE.g. rewards, punishments, incarceration– ““Shooting bullfrogs”Shooting bullfrogs”

SystemicSystemic explanations and solutions explanations and solutions– Change the conditions generating the Change the conditions generating the

behaviorbehavior– E.g. structural changesE.g. structural changes– ““Draining the swamp”Draining the swamp”

Example #3: A little quizExample #3: A little quiz

Consider the following common sense Consider the following common sense interpretations of research questions:interpretations of research questions:

1.1. Common sense often gives several Common sense often gives several different answers or the wrong answersdifferent answers or the wrong answers

2.2. Pettigrew ch. I TablePettigrew ch. I Table