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
The sociological imagination questions common interpretations of human social behavior and challenges conventional social wisdom sociological imagination: the ability to see the link between society and self Definitions: sociological imagination conventional social wisdom
The sociological imagination questions common interpretations of human social behavior and challenges conventional social wisdom conventional social wisdom: ideas people assume are true Definitions: sociological imagination 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. Economics Anthropology History Social Sciences Political Science Psychology Sociology
Anthropology Economics History Political Science Psychology Anthropology Sociology Anthropology investigates culture, the customary beliefs and material traits of groups. Social Sciences
Economics Economics History Political Science Psychology Economics is the study of the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. Anthropology Sociology Social Sciences
History Economics History Political Science History examines past events in human societies. Anthropology Psychology Sociology Social Sciences
Political Science Political science investigates the organization, administration, history, and theory of government. Economics History Political Science Psychology Sociology Anthropology Social Sciences
Psychology Economics Psychology investigates human mental and emotional processes. Anthropology History Political Science Psycholog y Sociology Social Sciences
Sociology Economics History Political Science Sociology investigates human social behavior from a group rather than an individual perspective. Anthropology 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.
Time Line of Early Sociologists C. Wright Mills publishes 1959 Sociological Imagination Jane Addams awarded 1931 Nobel Peace Prize W.E.B. DuBois publishes The Philadelphia Negro: A Social Study Herbert Spencer publishes Social Statics 1850 1848 1899 1897 Emile Durkheim publishes Suicide 1904 Max Weber publishes The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism Karl Marx publishes The Communist Manifesto, promoting a classless society 1838 Auguste Comte s book, Positive Philosophy, identifies science of sociology 1837 Harriet Martineau publishes Society in America
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 SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM CONFLICT PERSPECTIVE
Functionalism Emphasizes the contributions made by each part of society Society is a relatively integrated whole. Society tends to seek relative stability. FUNCTIONALISM Most aspects of a society contribute to the society s wellbeing and survival. Society rests on the voluntary participation of its members.
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 c. Symbols are crucial to social life. d. Social life should be understood from the viewpoint of individuals involved. S e. Social change is constantly occurring. f. Conflict is harmful and disruptive to society. F 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).