IntroductionIntroduction to to SociologySociology

By: Mr. Alain SaulnierBy: Mr. Alain SaulnierDigby Regional High, 2008Digby Regional High, 2008

Chapter 1:Chapter 1:

The Sociological PerspectiveThe Sociological Perspective

What to Expect in This What to Expect in This Chapter...Chapter... Defining the Sociological PerspectiveDefining the Sociological Perspective

• The Sociological ImaginationThe Sociological Imagination• Sociology and Common SenseSociology and Common Sense• Sociology and ScienceSociology and Science

Sociology and the Social SciencesSociology and the Social Sciences The Development of SociologyThe Development of Sociology Theoretical Perspectives in SociologyTheoretical Perspectives in Sociology

Personal experience Awareness of friends Systematic studywith drug use and associates’ patterns of a random of drug use sample of drug users

Defining the Sociological Defining the Sociological PerspectivePerspective

““Sociology is the scientific study of Sociology is the scientific study of human society and social interactions.”human society and social interactions.”

What makes sociology “scientific?”What makes sociology “scientific?”

Levels of Understanding Drug Use

Sociology and Common Sociology and Common SenseSense

Common sense assumptions are usually based on very Common sense assumptions are usually based on very

limited observation.limited observation.

Sociology seeks to:Sociology seeks to:• use a broad range of carefully selected observations; anduse a broad range of carefully selected observations; and

• theoretically understand and explain those observations.theoretically understand and explain those observations.

While sociological research might confirm common While sociological research might confirm common

sense observation, its broader base, data and sense observation, its broader base, data and

theoretical rational provide a stronger basis for theoretical rational provide a stronger basis for

conclusions.conclusions.

The Scientific Method

Sociology and ScienceSociology and Science

Science is Science is “...a body of “...a body of systematically arranged systematically arranged knowledge that shows knowledge that shows the operation of general the operation of general laws.”laws.”

As a science, sociology As a science, sociology employs the employs the scientific scientific methodmethod

Formulate hypotheses

Choose research design

Gather Data

Analyze Data

Review of literature

Sociology and the Social Sociology and the Social SciencesSciences

The Development of The Development of SociologySociology Sociology emerged as a separate Sociology emerged as a separate

discipline in the nineteenth centurydiscipline in the nineteenth century This was a time of great social This was a time of great social

upheaval due largely to the French upheaval due largely to the French and Industrial Revolutionsand Industrial Revolutions

Several early sociologists shaped Several early sociologists shaped the direction of the disciplinethe direction of the discipline

Auguste Comte (1798-Auguste Comte (1798-1857)1857)French Philosopher, Physician, Positivism, & Father of French Philosopher, Physician, Positivism, & Father of Sociology Worked during French Revolution & Napoleon Sociology Worked during French Revolution & Napoleon Bonaparte rule.Bonaparte rule.

Responsible for coining the term Responsible for coining the term “sociology” “sociology” Father of SociologyFather of Sociology

Set out to develop the “science of Set out to develop the “science of man” that would be based on man” that would be based on empirical (data or evidence) empirical (data or evidence) observation called observation called PositivismPositivism

Focused on two aspects of society:Focused on two aspects of society:• Social Statics—Social Statics—forces which produce forces which produce

order and stabilityorder and stability• Social Dynamics—Social Dynamics—forces which forces which

contribute to social changecontribute to social change

Harriet Martineau Harriet Martineau (1802-(1802-1876)1876)English journalist, political economist, abolitionist, writer & English journalist, political economist, abolitionist, writer & philosopherphilosopher

Authored one of the earliest Authored one of the earliest analyses of analyses of culture and life in culture and life in the United Statesthe United States entitled entitled Theory and Practice of Society Theory and Practice of Society in Americain America

Translated Translated Comte’s Comte’s Positive Positive PhilosophyPhilosophy into English into English

Herbert Spencer (1820-1903) Herbert Spencer (1820-1903) English philosopher, classical liberal, political & sociological English philosopher, classical liberal, political & sociological

theoristtheorist

Authored the first sociology text, Authored the first sociology text, Principles of SociologyPrinciples of Sociology

Most well known for proposing a Most well known for proposing a doctrine called “doctrine called “Social DarwinismSocial Darwinism””• Suggested that people Suggested that people who could not who could not

competecompete were poorly adapted to the were poorly adapted to the human environment and human environment and inferiorinferior

• This is an idea commonly called This is an idea commonly called survival of the fittestsurvival of the fittest

Karl Marx (1818-1883) Karl Marx (1818-1883) Jewish German Philosopher, political economist, Jewish German Philosopher, political economist,

sociologist, humanist, political theorist, revolutionary sociologist, humanist, political theorist, revolutionary Father of CommunismFather of Communism

Marx is the father of Marx is the father of conflictconflict theorytheory Saw human history in a continual Saw human history in a continual

state of conflict between two major state of conflict between two major classes:classes:• BourgeoisieBourgeoisie——owners of the means of owners of the means of

production (capitalists)production (capitalists)

• ProletariatProletariat——the workers the workers Predicted that revolution would Predicted that revolution would

occur producing first a socialist occur producing first a socialist state, followed by a communist state, followed by a communist society (society (wrote:wrote: The Communist The Communist

Manifesto Manifesto ))

Emile Durkheim (1858-Emile Durkheim (1858-1917) 1917) Jewish French Sociologist (specialist on Jewish French Sociologist (specialist on

education, crime, religion & suicide)education, crime, religion & suicide)

Durkheim moved sociology Durkheim moved sociology fully into the realm of an fully into the realm of an empirical (data & evidence) empirical (data & evidence) science using research science using research methodsmethods

Most well known empirical Most well known empirical study is called study is called SuicideSuicide, where , where he looks at the social causes of he looks at the social causes of suicidesuicide

Generally regarded as the Generally regarded as the founder of founder of functionalist theoryfunctionalist theory

Max Weber (1864-1920) Max Weber (1864-1920) Calvinist German Political economist & Modern Calvinist German Political economist & Modern Sociologist (University of Berlin)Sociologist (University of Berlin)

Much of Weber’s work was a Much of Weber’s work was a critique critique or clarification of Marxor clarification of Marx

His most famous work, His most famous work, The Protestant The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of CapitalismEthic and the Spirit of Capitalism directly challenged Marx’s ideas on directly challenged Marx’s ideas on the the role of religionrole of religion in societyin society

Weber was also interested in Weber was also interested in bureaucraciesbureaucracies and the process of and the process of rationalizationrationalization in society in society

The Sociological ImaginationThe Sociological Imagination C. Wright Mills C. Wright Mills (1916-1962) (1916-1962) American Sociologist American Sociologist (USA) (Columbia University, Manhattan NY)(USA) (Columbia University, Manhattan NY)

C. Wright Mills coined the term C. Wright Mills coined the term ““sociological imaginationsociological imagination” to refer ” to refer to to “...“...the vivid awareness of the the vivid awareness of the relationship between relationship between private private experienceexperience and the and the wider society.wider society.””

Wrote the controversial books titled White Collar: The American Middle Classes (1951) & & The Power Elite (1956)C. Wright Mills

C. Wright Mills (1916-C. Wright Mills (1916-1962)1962) White Collar: The American Middle ClassesWhite Collar: The American Middle Classes ( (19511951) contends that bureaucracies have ) contends that bureaucracies have overwhelmed the individual worker, robbing overwhelmed the individual worker, robbing him or her of all him or her of all independent thoughtindependent thought and and turning him into a sort of a turning him into a sort of a robotrobot that is that is oppressedoppressed but but cheerfulcheerful. He or she gets a . He or she gets a salary, but becomes salary, but becomes alienatedalienated from the from the world because of his or her world because of his or her inability to inability to affect or change it.affect or change it.

Mills commuted to Columbia College on his motorcycle. (Photo by Yaroslava Mills).

Sociological ImaginationSociological Imagination C. Wright Mills (1959) is best remembered for his highly acclaimed C. Wright Mills (1959) is best remembered for his highly acclaimed

work work The Sociological ImaginationThe Sociological Imagination, in which he set forth his views , in which he set forth his views on how social science should be pursued. Hailed upon publication on how social science should be pursued. Hailed upon publication as a convincing and hard-hitting critique, as a convincing and hard-hitting critique, The Sociological The Sociological ImaginationImagination took issue with the growing schools of sociology in the took issue with the growing schools of sociology in the United States, calling for a humanist sociology connecting the United States, calling for a humanist sociology connecting the social, personal, and historical dimensions of our lives. social, personal, and historical dimensions of our lives. The The sociological imagination Mills calls for is a sociological imagination Mills calls for is a sociological sociological visionvision, a way of looking at the world that can see links , a way of looking at the world that can see links between the apparently private problems of the individual between the apparently private problems of the individual and important social issues.and important social issues.

Throughout his career until his untimely death, Mills struggled with Throughout his career until his untimely death, Mills struggled with the question, "what is the nature of the social sciences."  He the question, "what is the nature of the social sciences."  He uniquely described the "promise" of sociology for a world of people uniquely described the "promise" of sociology for a world of people trappedtrapped in a virtual maze of "private troubles."   in a virtual maze of "private troubles."   

Nowadays, people often feel that their private lives are a series of Nowadays, people often feel that their private lives are a series of trapstraps. They sense that within their everyday worlds, they cannot . They sense that within their everyday worlds, they cannot overcome their overcome their troublestroubles, and in this feeling, they are often quite , and in this feeling, they are often quite correct.correct.

Mills proposed that the Mills proposed that the sociological imaginationsociological imagination enables the enables the individual a way to individual a way to liberate himself from these trapsliberate himself from these traps.  The .  The sociological imagination is a quality of mind that will help sociological imagination is a quality of mind that will help individuals to use information and to develop reason in order to individuals to use information and to develop reason in order to achieve coherent summations of what is going on in the world and achieve coherent summations of what is going on in the world and what may be happening within individuals.what may be happening within individuals. Mind Stimulating Exercises

Patricia Marchak Patricia Marchak Canadian Sociologist & Educator (UBC, Vancouver Canadian Sociologist & Educator (UBC, Vancouver Institute)Institute)

Universities are failing to teach, Universities are failing to teach, are too elitist and too democratic are too elitist and too democratic minded.minded.

Terrorism, terror or fear is a Terrorism, terror or fear is a modern technique of the modern technique of the powerful in controlling effectively powerful in controlling effectively the mass population (any doubts, the mass population (any doubts, just watch news programs, just watch news programs, newspapers or movies). We are newspapers or movies). We are being scared into fearing A to Z. being scared into fearing A to Z. Bacterias to Bin Laden, you must Bacterias to Bin Laden, you must be afraid in order to save be afraid in order to save yourself. However, you must yourself. However, you must purchasepurchase security. Soldiers or security. Soldiers or alarm systems, all have a cost.alarm systems, all have a cost.

Theoretical Perspectives: Theoretical Perspectives: FunctionalismFunctionalism

Functionalism sees society as a Functionalism sees society as a system of highly interrelated parts system of highly interrelated parts that work together harmoniouslythat work together harmoniously

The image that functionalists use to The image that functionalists use to understand society is a living understand society is a living organismorganism

Each part of society works together Each part of society works together for the benefit of the whole much for the benefit of the whole much like a living organismlike a living organism

Theoretical Perspectives: Theoretical Perspectives: Conflict TheoryConflict Theory

Conflict theory is grounded in the work of Karl Conflict theory is grounded in the work of Karl MarxMarx

Society is understood to be made up of Society is understood to be made up of conflicting interest groups who vie for power conflicting interest groups who vie for power and privilegeand privilege

This dynamic results in continuous social This dynamic results in continuous social change, which is the normal state of affairschange, which is the normal state of affairs

Conflict theory focuses heavily on inequality Conflict theory focuses heavily on inequality and differential distribution of power and and differential distribution of power and wealthwealth

Theoretical Perspectives: Theoretical Perspectives: The Interactionist The Interactionist PerspectivePerspective

Focuses on how individuals make sense of Focuses on how individuals make sense of and interpret the worldand interpret the world

This perspective tends to focus on the “micro-This perspective tends to focus on the “micro-order” of small groupsorder” of small groups

Has given rise to several specific Has given rise to several specific approaches:approaches:– Symbolic InteractionismSymbolic Interactionism developed by George developed by George

Herbert MeadHerbert Mead– EthnomethodologyEthnomethodology developed by Harold Garfinkel developed by Harold Garfinkel– DramaturgyDramaturgy developed by Erving Goffman developed by Erving Goffman

Comparing Theoretical PerspectivesComparing Theoretical PerspectivesPerspectivePerspective Scope of Scope of

AnalysisAnalysisPoint of ViewPoint of View Focus of Focus of

AnalysisAnalysisStructural-Structural-FunctionalismFunctionalism

Macro Macro LevelLevel

1.1. Various parts of society Various parts of society are interdependentare interdependent

2.2. Social systems are Social systems are highly stablehighly stable

3.3. Social life governed by Social life governed by consensus & consensus & cooperationcooperation

Functional and Functional and dysfunctional dysfunctional aspects of aspects of societysociety

Conflict Conflict TheoryTheory

Macro Macro LevelLevel

1.1. Society accommodates Society accommodates between competing between competing interest groupsinterest groups

2.2. Society unstable and Society unstable and prone to changeprone to change

3.3. Social life conflict-ladenSocial life conflict-laden

1. How social 1. How social inequalities inequalities produce conflictproduce conflict2. Who benefits 2. Who benefits from social from social arrangementsarrangements

InteractionistInteractionist Micro-LevelMicro-Level 1.1. Actions have Actions have symbolic meaningssymbolic meanings

2.2. Meanings can varyMeanings can vary

How people How people make sense of make sense of their worldtheir world

Society as an IllusionSociety as an Illusion

http://www.csus.edu/indiv/m/monkd/optical_illusion.html

The following pictures are NOT animated.

The "illusion" is that this is just a picture of coffee The "illusion" is that this is just a picture of coffee beans; but it is not. Can you find a man's face beans; but it is not. Can you find a man's face

among the beans? Some say that if you find the among the beans? Some say that if you find the man in 3 seconds or less, the right half of your man in 3 seconds or less, the right half of your brain may be more well developed than most.brain may be more well developed than most.

And here is another type of illusion.Count the people in the picture below.After they shift, count them again!

Can you count the black Can you count the black dots? dots?

How many legs does How many legs does this elephant have?this elephant have?

Faces or places? Faces or places?

Two elderly faces, or a larger scene?Two elderly faces, or a larger scene?