Part One The Study of Sociology Chapter 1 What Is Sociology? Anthony Giddens Mitchell Duneier Richard P. Appelbaum What Is Sociology? Sociology is the scientific study of human social life, groups, and societies with emphasis on modern, industrialized systems Developing a Sociological Perspective What Is the Sociological Imagination? – What we believe to be true or “natural” is strongly influenced by historical and social forces – Thinking imaginatively and detaching from preconceived ideas about social relationships • Putting things in a wider context • Seeing daily activity as a reflection of larger social issues Developing a Sociological Perspective Developing a Global Perspective – American society is influenced everyday by globalization – We are connected to people all over the world • Our actions have consequences for others and vice versa The Development of Social Thinking Theories and Theoretical Approaches – Sociology not only explores how things happen by also why they happen – We need theories to help us make sense of facts – Sociologists disagree about how to study human behavior and how to interpret results The Development of Social Thinking Early Theorists – Auguste Comte • Invented the word sociology • Sociology should contribute to the welfare of humanity by using science to understand and predict human behavior The Development of Social Thinking Early Theorists (cont) – Émile Durkheim • “Study social facts as things!” • The continuation of society depends on cooperation Organic solidarity—specialized systems must function as integrated whole • Societies exert social constraint over members’ actions • Division of labor expands, people become more dependent on each other The Development of Social Thinking Early Theorists (cont) – Karl Marx • Social change is mainly prompted by economic influences • Society is not cohesive; it is divided by class differences • Capitalism breeds conflict Ruling class seeks to exploit workers and working class seeks to overcome exploitation The Development of Social Thinking Early Theorists (cont) – Max Weber • Ideas and values have as much impact on social change as economic factors • Advance of bureaucracy inevitable Society becomes more efficient but poses problems for democratic participation The Development of Social Thinking Neglected Founders – Harriet Martineau • Sociology must include analysis of women’s lives • Focused on ignored issues including marriage, children, religious life, race relations – W. E. B. Du Bois • Established identity through the lens of African Americans • Traced problems facing African Americans to social and economic history • Connected social analysis to social reform The Development of Social Thinking Modern Theoretical Approaches – The main theoretical approaches in sociology are: • • • • • • symbolic interactionism functionalism Marxism feminism rational choice approach postmodernism The Development of Social Thinking Modern Theoretical Approaches – Symbolic Interactionism • Study of language is crucial • Symbolic thought frees us from our limited experience • All interactions involve an exchange of symbols: we look for clues on how to behave and how to interpret others’ behavior The Development of Social Thinking Modern Theoretical Approaches (cont) – Functionalism • The study of functions of social activity to determine the contribution to society as a whole • Moral consensus helps maintain order and stability in society • Manifest functions are intended by participants; latent functions are consequences participants do not know about The Development of Social Thinking Modern Theoretical Approaches (cont) – Feminism • Gender relations and gender inequality are central to study of society • Intersection of gender, race, and class – Rational choice theory • Self-interest is best variable to explain society • Rational approach is useful but cannot explain emotional responses, such as love The Development of Social Thinking Modern Theoretical Approaches (cont) – Postmodernism • • • • Idea that history leads to progress has collapsed Dominated by “new media” Disconnected from the past Overall narratives of history or society do not make any sense The Development of Social Thinking Microsociology vs. Macrosociology – Microsociology is the study of everyday behavior during face-to-face interaction • Illuminates broad institutional patterns – Macrosociology is the analysis of large-scale social systems • Essential for understanding institutional background of daily life Is Sociology a Science? Sociology Is a Science – Employs systematic methods of investigation – Evaluation of theories based on evidence and logical argument – Not modeled on the natural sciences – Studying humans is fundamentally different How Can Sociology Help Us? Sociology Helps Us: – See the world from many perspectives – Write better, more informed policies – Assess effects of policies – Increased self-understanding Review Questions 1. How is the sociological imagination key to the study of sociology? a) It helps us imagine how people in other cultures function in daily life. b) It helps us develop hypotheses that we can test with statistical data. c) It helps us get beyond our personal beliefs and circumstances in order to examine things from a broader perspective. d) It helps us understand the broad array of theoretical approaches that can be used to study sociological phenomena. Review Questions 2. How did Emile Durkheim think that the division of labor contributes to organic solidarity in modern societies? a) Durkheim claimed that the division of labor creates more isolation in the work place as people’s jobs become more specialized, but that this in turn makes people invest more in remaining connected to one another outside of work, which overall helps strengthen society. b) Durkheim claimed that the division of labor teaches people the importance of cooperation and coordination which helps strengthen social cohesion. c) Durkheim claimed that the division of labor is a key social structure that helps bring order to a chaotic world by constraining social behavior. d) Durkheim claimed that people become more dependent on one another as the division of labor expands and that this interdependence provides social cohesion. Review Questions 3. According to Max Weber, _______ ideas and values shape society as much as ______ factors do. a) democratic; economic b) cultural; economic c) economic; religious d) capitalist; cultural Review Questions 4. Examining the interactions between people with a focus on how the people talk, dress, and use body language is an example of which theoretical approach to sociology? a) symbolic interactionism b) postmodernism c) feminist theory d) functionalism Review Questions 5. Which two theoretical approaches share the belief that sociological theory must be linked to political and social action? a) postmodernism and Marxism b) feminist theory and symbolic interactionism c) Marxism and feminist theory d) rational choice theory and postmodernism Review Questions 6. According to some postmodern theorists, such as Jean Baudrillard, how has the spread of electronic media affected society? a) It has disconnected us from real people and places and led to greater social isolation as we respond to signs and images that often have little to do with our everyday lives. b) It has made us more aware of cultural differences as we are exposed to a wider range of ideas and values. c) It has led to ever greater levels of consumerism as people are constantly reminded of things they don’t have that they would like to own. d) It has provided new ways for people to connect and create community. Review Questions 7. How can sociology have practical implications? a) Sociology can suggest new ways of evaluating major social transformations in history. b) Sociological studies are often used to assess the success, or failure, of policy initiatives in areas ranging from education to housing to sex discrimination. c) Sociology can shed light on the importance of social actors whose roles were previously ignored. d) Sociology empowers larger social institutions, not individuals, to alter conditions of inequality and injustice.
