Unit 1: Introduction to
Sociology
What the Heck is Sociology?
Sociology is a social science that studies
human society and social behavior
Sociologists focus on social interactions
(usually group vs. individual)
Sociology uses scientific methods to
investigate social institutions
When was Sociology started?
One could speculate that Enlightenment
Age thinkers began the practice of
Sociology
Many give the distinction to a group of
men from Europe that started studying
social patterns during the Industrial
Revolution
Why Study Sociology?
Gain a Sociological perspective and
imagination
Offers a look at the world based on
research rather than common sense
Colleges generally require you to take a
course in Sociology
Job Opportunities duh!!!
Who Founded Sociology?
Five men from different regions during the
same time period began studying human
interaction and actually coined the name
sociology
Auguste Comte, Herbert Spencer, Karl
Marx, Emile Durkheim, and Max Weber
are the founders of Sociology
Auguste Comte
Lived from 1798-1857 in France, Germany
and England.
Considered father of Sociology
Focused on social order and change
(French Rev.)
Believed in using scientific method to
study society
Karl Marx
Lived 1818-1883 in Prussia (Germany)
Radical writer
Believed society is organized by its
economy (Bourgeoisie vs. Proletariat)
Imbalance of power leads to conflict
between owners and workers
Father of communism
Created the Conflict Theory
Herbert Spencer
Lived 1820-1903 in England
Largely influenced by Darwin (Social
Darwinism)
Viewed society as a set of interdependent
parts that work together to maintain a
system over time
Social unrest and change is natural to
correct social problems
Emile Dirkheim
Lived 1858-1917 in France
1st College Sociology course
1st to apply systematic methods to the
study of society
Concerned with social order (functions)
Shared beliefs held a society together
Believed in studying only observable info
Max Weber
Lived 1864-1920 in Prussia (Germany)
Focused on groups within a society rather
than society as a whole
Verstehen: focused on thoughts and
feelings (put yourself in their shoes)
Ideal type: the description comprised of
essential characteristics in a social
institution
Sociological Perspectives
Theory: Systematic explanation of the
relationships among phenomena
Theoretical Perspective: General set of
assumptions about nature or phenomena
3 perspectives of Sociology: Functionalist,
Conflict, and Interactionist
Functionalist
View society as a set of interrelated parts
that work together to produce a stable
social system (Spencer and Durkheim)
Society is held together through an
agreement on what is best
View certain elements of society in terms
of their function in society
Things that don’t run well = dysfunctional
Functionalist cont.
Things can be manifest or latent:
Manifest Function – intended and
recognized consequences of some
element of society
Latent Function –unintended and
unrecognized consequences of an
element of society
Conflict Perspective
Focus on forces in society that promote
competition and change (Marx)
How those with power control those
without
See social change as an inevitable part of
society because of conflict over things to
gain power. (natural resources)
Interactionist Perspective
Focus on how individuals relate/interact
within society (social psychologists)
Interested in meaning of actions and
choices (Weber)
Interested in the use of symbols in daily
life (anything that stands for something else)
Symbolic Interaction: focus on the
interactions between people through the
use of symbols
Research Methodology
 Sociology studies human behavioral patterns
by using the scientific method
 This method, as many of you probably
remember, is made up of 6 steps:
1. Define the problem
2. Review the literature
3. Form a hypothesis
4. Choose a research design (Observation,
Questionnaire, Survey, or Data Analysis)
5. Collect and analyze data
6. Presenting a conclusion