Are there Aliens in Pine Bush?

List three (3) possible explanations for this local issue.

Do Now:

FOCUS:How did the field of sociology develop?Who are the early Sociologists?How are these theories different?What are some CURRENT theories?

2

When and why did Sociology Develop?

3

Industrial Revolution

4

Rural Economy

Changes to Industrial Economy

Growth of Cities

Housing shortages, crime, poverty, different lifestyles5

Interactions used to be based on personal relationships

6

Impersonal nature of cities –relationships now based on work

7

How did Sociology Develop?• Relationships no longer

personal, less helpful, more anonymous

• People became frustrated, many were poor and some were wealthy

• Political revolutions developed in this time period.

• Many also questioned religious and traditional explanations of life

8

Who were the Early Sociologists?

9

Do Now:

Do you believe there is any truth to this cartoon?

Explain why or why not?

10

Early Sociology

Auguste Comte• 1st to apply research to

study social life• Focused on Social Order

and Social Change• Society changes

through social dynamics – the processes of social order and social change.

Herbert Spencer• Influenced by Charles

Darwin• Social change and

unrest were natural and led to stability and perfection

• Believed that no steps should be taken to correct problems – best aspects of society would survive over time.

I was born in January actually, I don’t know why my mom named

me Auguste

I don’t know where my hair stops and my beard begins?

11

Early Sociology

Karl Marx• Society structured by

economy• Two classes:

proletariat (workers) and bourgeoisie (capitalists)

• Imbalance would lead to revolution and be primary cause of social change

• CONFLICT THEORY

Emile Durkheim• Saw society as

interdependent parts that maintains the system throughout time

• Viewed these parts as functions

• FUNCTIONALISM• Believed shared

beliefs/values held society together

• Sociologists should study features that are observable and can be tested.

• Suicide Study (handout)

It is me, Karl. I started Communism. Yeah…

yeah…I know. It didn’t work out well.

12

Early SociologistsMax Weber

• More interested in separate groups in society

• Focus: effect of SOCIETY on the INDIVIDUAL

• Should go beyond study of observations – but uncover feelings and thoughts of individuals

• Principle of VERSTEHEN – understanding meanings individuals attach to their actions

• See situations through the eyes of others

• IDEAL TYPE: the essential characteristics of a feature of society

• Example: Construct an ideal school, American, Work attitude, etc.

• By examining many different examples of each ideal type

Verstehen!

NO! I am not sneezing!

13

What are some Current Sociology Theories?

14

Current PerspectivesFunctionalist Perspective

• Comte, Spencer, Durkheim• Society a set of interrelated

parts that work together to produce a stable society

• Consensus• Often study: family,

education, crime, etc.• Not all elements run smoothly • DYSFUNCTION: negative

consequence for the lack of stability in society

• Crime – disrupts – not stabilizes

• There are positive functions and negative functions

• Each can be either• MANIFEST or LATENT• Manifest: intended

consequence• Latent: unintended

consequence

15

Example:

A Manifest function of a car is to provide transportation

A Latent function of a car is to gain social standing through a display of wealth

16

Can you list things in society that have both Manifest and Latent Functions?

In a group of three….brainstorm items, institutions, etc. that have both Manifest and Latent Functions

17

Current PerspectivesConflict Perspective

• Karl Marx• People in society who

possess more power in society control others with less power

• Study various groups: women and men, race, family, employers and employees, etc.

Competition over scarce resources (power, wealth)Group gains control of it – establish rules and procedures to keep itProtect their interests at expense of other groupsLeads to social conflict – social change – inevitable in society

18

Can you list groups in society that

illustrate Conflict Perspective?

19

Current PerspectivesInteractionist Perspective

• Functionalists and Conflict Theorists focus on society in general or groups

• Interactionists focus on individuals and their interaction with each other

• Role of symbols in life• Symbol: anything that

represents something else

Example: objects, words, gesturesAmerican flag, salute, a high five, slangHow people use symbols is symbolic interaction

20

Interactionist Activity

Express the word you were given without talking

22What did Marx believe?

What did Spencer believe

What did Weber believe?

What did Comte believe?

What is Functionalism?

What was Durkheim known for?

What is manifest? Latent?

Who are the early Sociologists?

How and when did the field of sociology start?

23

Give an example of a symbol?

What is Interactionist Perspective?

What is Conflict Perspective?

Homework Assignment: Test Grade

You are a sociologist studying an issue of your choice.

Find an article about your issue and in a five (5) paragraph essay look at it

from a :Functionalist Perspective

Conflict PerspectiveInteractionist Perspective

Due: