The Social Sciences:
Sociology
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What is Sociology?
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Systematic study of groups and societies
How does our society affect our behavior?
Sociological Perspective:
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Stresses the social contexts in which we live
What we do and how we think are the result of
exposure to human groups
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A little history…
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Founders of Sociology
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Auguste Comte
Positivism:
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Knowledge =
empirical observations
Father of sociology
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Apply science to study
development of societies
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Founders of Sociology
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Herbert Spencer
Social Darwinism:
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Societies evolve from
lower to higher forms
‘Survival of the fittest’
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Founders of Sociology
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Karl Marx
Class Conflict
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Bourgeoisie vs proletariat
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Founders of Sociology
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Emile Durkheim
Social integration
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Degree to which people
are tied to their social
group
Behavior cannot be
understood in individual
terms; we must also
examine social forces that affect people
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Founders of Sociology
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Max Weber
Religion is the force of
social change
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Protestant ethic: Frugal
living and investing to
make money
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Theoretical Perspectives
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Theory:
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Organizes empirical observations (explains)
Acts as a guide for future observations (predicts)
Three major theories in sociology
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Symbolic interactionism
Functional analysis
Conflict theory
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Symbolic Interactionism
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Symbol: Something to which we attach
meaning
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Example: We define ourselves and our
relationships according to symbols
Society is composed of symbols
Analyze how behaviors depend on the
symbols we use to define ourselves and
others
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Symbolic Interactionism
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How would symbolic interactionism explain
high divorce rate in the U.S.?
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Marriage used to be seen as a lifelong commitment
Divorce was viewed as immoral, a flagrant disregard for
public opinion, and abandonment of adult
responsibilities
Changes in these views created a strong push for
divorce
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Symbolic Interactionism
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Emotional satisfaction
‘True love’ ideal
Meaning of children
Meaning of parenthood
Marital roles
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Perception of
alternatives
Meaning of divorce
Changes in the law
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Functional Analysis
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Society is a whole unit, made up of parts
that work together (like a living organism)
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Whenever we examine a part of a society, we
need to look for ways it functions (helps) and
dysfunctions (harms) in relation to the larger
society
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Functional Analysis
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How would functional analysis explain high
divorce rate in the U.S.?
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Industrialization and urbanization undermined
traditional functions of the family, leading to
high divorce rate
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Functional Analysis
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Basic functions of the family:
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Economic production
Socialization of children
Care of sick and elderly
Recreation
Reproduction
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Conflict Theory
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Society is composed of groups that engage
in competition for scarce resources
Karl Marx’s observations of class struggle
Authority: Power that people consider legitimate
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Conflict Theory
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How would conflict theory explain high
divorce rate in the U.S.?
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Marriage reflects basic inequalities between men
and women
Higher divorce rate is a sign that women are
making headway in their struggle with men
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Functions of Sociology
aka What’s in it for me?
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General enlightenment
Challenge of public perceptions
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Functions of Sociology
aka What’s in it for me?
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General enlightenment
Challenge of public perceptions
Identify social problems and design
solutions
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Functions of Sociology
aka What’s in it for me?
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General enlightenment
Challenge of public perceptions
Identify social problems and design
solutions
Sociological imagination or sociological
perspective
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