SociologyThe Sociological Perspective

SociologySociology is the systematic study of the human society.Sociology is the science (-ology) of society (socio-).Sociology is a social science that is concerned within the systematic study of human society. Auguste Comte, The Grand Father of Sociology, believed that all existing sciences could be ranked in a hierarchy, and idealized sociology as the crowning glory of human intellectual achievement.

PerspectiveBroadly speaking every individual has his/her own way of looking at the world. Hence perspectives involves:The way of -Looking at Things.It is the point of view from which- reality is observed and interpreted. Hence Perspective defines: Boundary, Periphery and the study of subject matter.

PerspectiveThree blind menSwordRopePillar

Sociological PerspectiveThe perspective of Sociology involves seeing through the outside appearances of peoples actions and organizations Peter Berger,1963It is the way of looking at the society and the social behavior.It identifies the shared traits and behavior of humans in plurality, and the underlying patterns in these traits.

Sociological PerspectiveSociology can help us make sense of our experiences by taking our accounts and sharing or comparing them with others.The sociological perspective is constituted of stories told by individuals and groups and shapes how we establish our worldviews.We can examine social structures (patterns of organization that constrain human behavior) by observation of the sociological perspective.

Peter Berger,1963To see the General in Particular.General Social Patterns in the Behavior of particular individuals.INDIVIDUALS ARE UNIQUEBUTSOCIETYS SOCIAL FORCES SHAPE US INTO KINDS OF PEOPLE that we are....

Peter Berger,1963Seeing the Strange in the Familiar PETER BERGER: THINGS ARENT ALWAYS WHAT THEY SEEMGive up Familiar Assumptions.Know that Society influences people by guiding thoughts and behaviors.

Sociological PerspectiveIt is neither :Utopian (what is desirable) norFatalistic (inevitability of existing state of affairs) butIt is Scientific (what is it?, how it is?, why it is?).

Peter Bergers four dimensions of sociological consciousnessDebunking: The sociological perspective is frequently concerned with seeing through the facades of social structures and debunking official interpretationsUnrespectability: involves a fascination with the unrespectable view of society

Peter Bergers four dimensions of sociological consciousnessRelative: refers to the capacity, typical of the modern mind, but especially developed in sociology, to see how identities and perspectives vary depending on the situation or context.Cosmopolitanism: The turbulent urban center of modern times have tended to develop a cosmopolitan consciousness, a knowledge of a variety of lifestyles and perspectives, and a certain sense of detachment from them.

Advantages of Sociological Perspective They Focus upon:Sociology and Social Marginality.Allows us to notice diversity in state.Sociology draws attention to social crisis.Importance of these items:They allows us to see the connection between MICRO and MACRO social elements.

Sociological PerspectiveIt involves investigation of the problem on Micro and Macro levels.Micro level: deals with how the individuals behave in the social situations viz. at work, at play, in school in large and small groups etc. Macro level: deals with patterns of behavior and the forms of organizations which characterize the entire society Viz. poverty, corruption etc.

The Sociological Imagination C. Wright Mills coined the term sociological imagination to refer to ...the vivid awareness of the relationship between private experience and the wider society.

Different Sociological PerspectivesStructuralism Looks at the way in which society is structured.Functionalism Looks at the function of society.Interpretative Approach Looks at the ways in which people interpret the societies they are exposed to.

Structuralism and Structural FunctionalismStructural theories : suggest that social institutions are structured/ determined by society, leaving the individual with little autonomy.Structural functionalist : is a name given to a group of sociologists who are both structuralist and functionalist.

Structural functionalismIn structural functionalist approach, a social institution is described by the role it plays in maintaining the stability of the wider society.They believed that individuals and groups are constrained by structures.The task of sociology was to analyze society as a system of interrelated variables, and how each social institution functioned to maintain the whole society.Social order requires certain degree of Co-operation and Social solidarity.

FunctionalismFunctionalism sees society as a system of highly interrelated parts that work together harmoniously.The image that functionalists use to understand society is a living organism.Each part of society works together for the benefit of the whole much like a living organism.

Interaction TheoriesTheories of action pay serious attention to action and interaction.They stress the importance of looking at individual in society.Theories of action holds that individuals construct structures.

Conflict TheoryConflict theory is grounded in the work of Karl Marx.Society is understood to be made up of conflicting interest groups who vie for power and privilege.This dynamic results in continuous social change, which is the normal state of affairs.Conflict theory focuses heavily on inequality and differential distribution of power and wealth.

Comparing Theoretical Perspectives

PerspectiveScope of AnalysisPoint of ViewFocus of Analysis

Structural-FunctionalismMacro LevelVarious parts of society are interdependentSocial systems are highly stableSocial life governed by consensus & cooperationFunctional and dysfunctional aspects of society

Conflict TheoryMacro LevelSociety accommodates between competing interest groupsSociety unstable and prone to changeSocial life conflict-laden1. How social inequalities produce conflict2. Who benefits from social arrangements

InteractionistMicro-LevelActions have symbolic meaningsMeanings can varyHow people make sense of their world

Auguste Comte (1798-1857)Responsible for coining the term sociologySet out to develop the science of man that would be based on empirical observation.Focused on two aspects of society:Social Staticsforces which produce order and stabilitySocial Dynamicsforces which contribute to social change

Karl Marx (1818-1883)Marx is the father of Conflict theory.Saw human history in a continual state of conflict between two major classes:Bourgeoisieowners of the means of production (capitalists)Proletariatthe workersPredicted that revolution would occur producing first a socialist state, followed by a communist society.

Emile Durkheim (1858-1917)Durkheim moved sociology fully into the realm of an Empirical science.Most well known empirical study is called Suicide, where he looks at the social causes of suicide.Generally regarded as the founder of Functionalist theory.