CH. 1
The Sociological
Perspective
Seeing the Broader Social Context
Sociology: The scientific study of society and human
behavior; structure.
How Groups Influence People
 Maintains
a group focus.
 Emphasizes
patterned social relationships between members.
How People are Influenced by Their Society

Uses social factors to explain human social behavior.

People Who Share a Culture

People Who Share a Territory
Social Location - Corners in Life

Jobs

Income

Education
 Gender
 Age
 Race/Ethnicity
C. Wright Mills History and Biography

The Sociological Imagination:

History - Location in Broad Stream of Events

Biography - Individual’s Specific Experiences
The Global Context and
the Local
The Global Village
 Instant Communication
 Sociology Studies both the Global Network and
Our Unique Experiences

Sociology and the
Other Sciences

The Natural Sciences


Explain and Predict Events in Natural Environment
The Social Sciences

Examine Human Relationships
Sociology and the
Other Sciences

Anthropology


Economics


Studies Culture
Studies the Production and Distribution of Goods and
Services
Political Science

Studies How People Govern Themselves
Sociology and the Other
Sciences

Psychology


The Study of Processes Within Individuals
Sociology

Similarities to Other Disciplines
The Goal of Science
Explain Why Something Happens
 Make Generalizations
 Look for Patterns
 Predict What will Happen
 Move Beyond Common Sense

RISKS OF SOCIOLOGY

Nooks and Crannies People Prefer Hidden

People Feel Threatened by Information
Origins of Sociology
Tradition vs. Science
 The Industrial Revolution
 Grew Out of Social Upheaval
 Imperialism of the Time
 Rise of the Scientific Method

Auguste Comte and
Positivism
Applying the Scientific Method to Social World
 Coined the Term “Sociology”
 “Armchair Philosophy”

Herbert Spencer - Social
Darwinism

Second Founder of Sociology

Lower and Higher Forms of Society

Coined Phrase “Survival of the Fittest”
Karl Marx and Class Conflict

Engine of Human History is Class Conflict

The Bourgeoisie vs. The Proletariat

Marxism Not the Same as Communism
Durkheim and Social
Integration

Got Sociology Recognized as Separate Discipline

Studied How Social Forces Affect Behavior

Identified “Social Integration” - Degree to Which People
are Tied to Social Group
Max Weber and the Protestant Ethic

Religion and the Origin of Capitalism

Religion is Central Force in Social Change

Protestant Ethic and Spirit of Capitalism
Sociology in
North America

First Took Root in 1890 at University of Kansas

Spread Rapidly in Next 20 Years

Not at Harvard until 1930

American Journal of Sociology 1895
Sexism in Early Sociology

Attitudes of the Time



1800s Sex Roles Rigidly Defined
Few People Educated Beyond Basics
Harriet Martineau
Published Society in America Before Durkheim and Weber
Were Born
 Her Work was Ignored

Racism at the Time: W.E.B Du Bois

B.A. from Fisk University

First Harvard Ph.D. for African American

Published a Book Each Year from 1896-1914

Neglected by Sociologist Until Recently
Jane Addams: Sociologist and
Social Reformer

Member of American Sociological Society from Start

Came from Background of Wealth and Privilege

Co-Founded Hull House

Co-Founded American Civil Liberties Union
Values in Sociological
Research
Sociology Should be Value-Free
 Sociology Should be Objective
 Research Should Involve Replication
 Goals and Uses of Sociology



Change or just explore?
Applied sociology
Theoretical Perspectives
Symbolic Interactionism - How People
Use Symbols in Everyday Life

Applying Symbolic Interactionism Changing the Meaning of Symbols Affects
Expectations
Functional Analysis
Society is a Whole Unit Made Up of Interrelated
Parts that Work Together
 Functionalism, Structural Functionalism


Robert Merton:
 Functions
•MANIFEST
•LATENT
 Dysfunctions
Conflict Theory

Karl Marx and Conflict Theory

Conflict Theory Today

Feminists and Conflict Theory

Applying Conflict Theory
Levels of Analysis

Functionalists and Conflict Theorists - Macro Level

Symbolic Interactionists - Micro Level


Microsociology – interest in the interaction of
people “within” social structures; investigates
relationships within groups
Macrosociology – interest in the “intersection” of
social structures; focuses on groups as a whole
Theoretical Perspectives in Sociology
Theoretical Criticisms
Theory
Criticisms
Functionalism
• Tends to legitimize the status quo.
• Neglects social change.
• Assumes that society benefits
everyone.
Conflict Theory
• Overlooks forces of stability in
society.
• Assumes that only the ruling class
benefits from the way society
operates.
• Assumes the working class does not
know it is subordinate.
Symbolic Interaction
• Sometimes fails to take the larger
picture into account.
• Does not consider the impact of
social forces and/or social
structures.
Trends Shaping the Future
Sociology Full Circle: Reform vs. Research
 Diversity of Orientations
 Applied/Public Sociology
 Globalization
