What Is Sociology ? Science Branches of Science Social Sciences
What is Sociology ?
Scientific study of society and human behavior (Henslin, Science 2007) Systematic, scientific study of human society (Thio, 2000; Macionis, 2003) Requires the development of theories that Scientific study of human and social behavior (Robertson, can be tested by systematic research 1989) The process of scientific inquiry into social attitudes and behaviors and the cultural products of those attitudes A body of knowledge obtained by logical, and behaviors (Lamberton, 1998) systematic methods of research which allows researchers to form generalizations The scientific study of human society; the study of social behavior and the interaction of people in groups (Landis, 1980) Nothing less than a special form of consciousness (Berger, Places isolated, seemingly meaningless 1963) events into patterns we understand
Branches of Science Social Sciences
Sociology
Economics Natural Science Psychology
Political Science Social Science Anthropology
Subfields of Sociology Why Study Sociology?
Social Psychology
Cultural Anthropology
Sociobiology
1 Perspective Global Perspective
The study of the larger world and our society’s place in it. A variety of points of view of any given subject.
Sociological Perspective and Sociological Perspective Sociological Imagination
Learning to look at society in different ways
Helps us see general social patterns in the behavior of particular individuals
C. Wright Mills Encourages us to realize that society guides our thoughts and deeds
Sociological Imagination From our limited experiences …
Judge the greater society Allows us to Place blinders on our views see the Develop our prejudices strange in Develop our discriminations the familiar. Develop our concepts of right and wrong
2 Sociological Imagination allows us to think “globally” The Development of Sociology Where we live makes a great difference in Social/Political Factors of the Industrial Revolution shaping our lives Rise of factory-based economy Societies are Emergence of great cities increasingly European political and social changes interconnected Flood of Anthropological Data Many US problems are Influences from Natural Sciences more serious elsewhere
Good way to learn about ourselves
Auguste Comte Herbert Spencer
1798-1857 1820-1903 Like Comte, The Father of Sociology concerned with Social Order and Social French philosopher who Change coined the term “Sociology” Developed “Organism” theory Favored “positivism” Applied Darwin’s Concerned with Statics Theories of Evolution to and Dynamics societies
Karl Marx Emile Durkheim
1818-1883 1858-1917 An economist, French Sociologist, concerned with Social concerned with Social Order and Social Change through Social Integration Conflict and revolution Pioneered sociological Developed theories of research with his study Class Conflict of suicide
3 DURKHEIM’S STUDY OF SUICIDE Seeing the General in the Particular MORE LIKELY TO COMMIT RATE OF DEATH BY SUICIDE MALE PROTESTANTS WHO WERE WEALTHY AND UNMARRIED 20 20 HAD HIGHER SUICIDE RATES 18 18 16 PROTESTANTISM AND INDIVDUALISM 16 14 14 12 LESS LIKELY TO COMMIT 12 10 MALE JEWS AND CATHOLICS WHO WERE POOR AND MARRIED 10 20.2 8 8 BEING CATHOLIC AND GROUP-ORIENTATION 6 6 10.9 12.4 4 4 6.2 2 2 4.9 ONE OF THE BASIC FINDINGS: WHY? 0 0 1.9 THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THESE GROUPS HAD TO DO African Americans Whites WITH “SOCIAL INTEGRATION” By Race and Sex THOSE WITH STRONG SOCIAL TIES HAD LESS OF A CHANCE OF Males Both Sexes Females COMMITING SUICIDE U.S. Bureau of the Census
Max Weber Harriet Martineau
1864-1920 German Sociologist who 1802-1876 emphasized under- standing the social world from the First woman sociologist viewpoint of the individuals Claimed that religion is a Translated Comte’s work central force in social change, particularly in the from French to English advancement of capitalism in Protestant and Catholic Studied British and countries. American societies Stressed Value Freedom
Charles Horton Cooley Jane Addams 1864-1929 Primary Theorist Symbolic- 1860-1935 Interaction Key founder of American sociology “Looking-Glass self” Developed study There are three main components of strategies to solve social the looking-glass problems We imagine how we must appear Founded the Hull House to others. Instrumental in the We imagine the judgment of that formation of several appearance. government programs We develop our self through the judgments of others.
4 W.E.B. Du Bois Robert Merton
1868-1963 1910-2003
First African American Coined the phrases to receive a doctorate “self-fulfilling prophecy”, from Harvard “role model” and Created the NAACP unintended consequences” Concerned with racial equality Created a theory of Deviance and applied Advocated the use of it to the American force to gain equality dream.
The Work of Sociologists Theory
A general statement about how some parts of the world fit together and how they work; Advertising Health Care and explanation of how two or more facts are related to one another Banking Public Relations A statement of how and why facts are Criminal Justice Research related Education Clinical Sociologists Correctly predicts future events Government Makes the facts of social life comprehensible and understandable
5 Paradigm Theoretical Paradigm
A conceptual model that serves as a cognitive map to A basic image of society that guides thinking and organize experience so that it has meaning and is research comprehensible to the observer. A model of society, or an orienting strategy guiding views of and questions about society
Major Sociological Analysis of Orientation Theoretical Perspectives
Functional Analysis Conflict Theory Macro Symbolic-Interactionism Level Feminist perspective
Micro Level
Functional Analysis Functional Analysis
Focuses on Social Structure and Social Function A theoretical framework in which society is viewed as Is macro-level orientation a whole unit, composed of interrelated parts, each with a function that, when Argues that Social Order is based on Social fulfilled, contributes to Consensus society’s equilibrium Originated from the work of Spencer and Durkheim
Also known as functionalism and structural functionalism
6 Social Consensus Types of Function
Condition in which most members of society agree on Social consensus is based upon: Manifest Function what is a “good” and cooperate to achieve it. Latent Function Mechanical solidarity Dysfunction Organic solidarity
Critical Evaluations of Functional Analysis
Conflict Theory Tends to be conservative A theoretical framework in which society is Tends to dismiss viewed as being composed of groups competing for scarce resources. change Overlooks the negative
Conflict Theory Conflict
Focuses on Social Tension and Social Change
Is macro level orientation Binds groups together as they pursue their own interests Argues that Social Order is maintained by direct or indirect exercise of power Focuses attention on social problems
Originated from the work of Karl Marx Leads to beneficial changes that might have otherwise not have occurred
7 Critical Evaluation of the Social- Conflict Paradigm
Symbolic-Interactionism Fails to come to grips with orderly, stable, and less A theoretical controversial perspective that focuses on how people aspects of society use symbols to establish meaning, develop their Overemphasizes views of the world, and the negative communicate with one another.
Interactionism
Focuses on details of everyday life and Symbolic Interaction interaction between people, and on how meaning is assigned to human interaction Is micro level orientation The interaction that takes place between people Argues that society responds through through symbols. symbolic interaction Originated from the studies of Max Weber and George Herbert Mead
Critical Evaluation of Symbolic- Feminist Perspective Interactionist Paradigm
Focuses on inequality and conflict between women Neglects the larger and men. social institutions Closely tied to Feminism points out inequities and social between women and processes men. Neglects powerful Awareness of the importance of women in issues of stability the development of and change sociology.
8 Critical evaluations of Feminist perspective. Ignores how shared values and interdependence can unify members of a society Politically cannot claim scientific objectivity conflict paint society in broad strokes
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