CHAPTER 1 SECTION 1

Sociology

What is Sociology?

Sociology is the social science that studies human society and social behavior.

Social scientists are mainly interested in social interaction, or how people interact with each other.

Sociologists tend to focus more on groups of people than on individuals.

The Sociological Perspective

By adopting a sociological perspective, you can look beyond commonly held beliefs to hidden meanings behind human actions.

What the sociological perspective tells you:All people are social beingsBehavior is influenced by social

factorsBehavior is learned from othersHelps you see the world through

someone else’s eyes

Continued…

This perspective can also help you find a balance between your desires and the demands of the social environment. (If you always do what others want, you won’t grow as an individual)

Finally, this perspective can help you develop sociological imagination coined by C. Wright Mills. (Being able to see the connection between the larger world and your personal life)

Sociology’s Place in the Social Sciences

Outside of sociology, the social sciences include; anthropology, psychology, economics, history, and political science.

Anthropology deals with primitive societies, whereas sociology deals with more advanced societies.

Psychology deals with individuals’ minds, whereas sociology deals with groups.

Sociology’s Place in the Social Sciences

Sociologists share many areas of interest with economists, such as wealth gap between certain social classes.

Political science and sociology overlap when talking about voting patterns, concentration of political power and formation of politically based groups.

History and sociology both study past events in an effort to explain current social behaviors and attitudes.

Interpreting Visuals

What might a sociologist find

interesting about this

photo?

Current Perspectives

Theory- Explanation of relationships of facts.

3 Main Theoretical Perspectives-Set of ideas about how and why people and societies do what they do.

Ideas about influences

Functionalism

1. FunctionalistsAuguste Comte, Herbert Spencer,

Emile DurkheimSociety is a set of interrelated parts

working together to promote stability and solidarity.

Society is held together through consensus. i.e. what do most people think is best for society?

Latent and Manifest Functions

Manifest Function: An intended or recognized consequence of some element of society.Ex. An automobile providing speedy

transportationLatent Function: The unintended and

unrecognized consequence of an element of society.Ex. An automobile used to gain social

standing through display of wealth

Functionalism

Institutions (Parts)EducationReligionFamilyEconomyPolitics/GovernmentScience

Functionalism

Elements of the Concept of Functions;Positive and smooth running =

FunctionalNegative outcome/ consequences =

DysfunctionalComte- Pointed out the need to keep

society unified when many traditions were breaking downEx. family, morals, government

Functionalism

Spencer- Compared society to the human body with organs being the “parts” or institutions.These “parts” function interdependently to help the person (society) to survive.

Conflict Perspective

2. Conflict PerspectiveKarl Marx, Harriet Martineau (1st

female sociologist), Jane Addams, W.E.B. DuBois.

Sees society as an arena of inequality that generatesConflictChangeCompetition

Conflict Perspective

Sociologists study how factors such as:Social classRaceEthnicityGender Age

Are linked to a society’s unequal distribution of money, power, education and social prestige.

Symbolic Interaction

3. Symbolic InteractionistsMax WeberEveryday interactions between

individuals and the effects of their use of “symbols”.

Symbols affect;Unity and solidarityConflict and war