Chapter Preview Section 1: The Sociological Perspective Section 2: The Origins of Sociology Section 3: Theoretical Perspectives Chapter Preview · Section 1 The Sociological Perspective (pages 6–13) Sociology studies human social behavior. It assumes a group, rather than an individual, perspective. Sociologists look for the patterns in social relationships. Individuals can benefit by using their sociological imaginations to look at events in their personal lives. Chapter Preview · Section 2 The Origins of Sociology (pages 14–22) Sociology is a young science. It started with the writings of European scholars like Auguste Comte, Harriet Spencer, Karl Marx, Emile Durkheim, and Max Weber. Jane Addams and W.E.B. Du Bois helped to focus America’s attention on social issues. After World War II, America took the lead in developing the field. Chapter Preview · Section 3 Theoretical Perspectives (pages 23–31) Sociology includes three major theoretical perspectives. Functionalism views society as an integrated whole. Conflict theory looks at class, race, and gender struggles. Symbolic interactionism examines how group members use shared symbols as they interact. Section 1: The Sociological Perspective Sociology studies human social behavior. It assumes a group, rather than an individual, perspective. Sociologists look for the patterns in social relationships. Individuals can benefit by using their sociological imaginations to look at events in their personal lives. • perspective • sociology • sociological perspective • social structure • sociological imagination On a scale of 1 to 5; How much influence do groups have on your life? A. B. C. D. A B C D The Nature of Sociology • Perspective is a particular point of view. • Sociology is the study of social structure. • The sociological perspective always focuses on the group as opposed to the individual. The Social Sciences The Importance of Patterns • Social structure is the patterned interaction of people in social relationships. • Sociologists focus on a pattern of behavior shared by members of a group or society, not the behavior of an individual. • All groups encourage conformity. Acquiring the Sociological Imagination • Sociological imagination is the ability of individuals to see the relationship between events in their personal lives and events in their society. • Sociological imagination allows us to question accepted ideas, or the conventional social wisdom. Health Insurance Why is it important to understand the sociological perspective? A. To better understand the individual. B. To know which group is the best. C. To better understand the forces that effect our lives. D. To learn how to socialize. A. B. C. D. A B C D Section 2: The Origin of Sociology Sociology is a young science. It started with the writings of European scholars like Auguste Comte, Harriet Martineau, Herbert Spencer, Karl Marx, Emile Durkheim, and Max Weber. Jane Addams and W.E.B. Du Bois helped to focus America’s attention on social issues. After World War II, America took the lead in developing the field of sociology. Time Line of Early Sociologists • positivism • class conflict • social statics • mechanical solidarity • social dynamics • organic solidarity • bourgeoisie • verstehen • capitalist • rationalization • proletariat How would you rate changes in our society over the past few years? A. Positive B. Neutral C. No real changes A. B. C. D. A B C D European Origins • Sudden changes during the late 19th century in Europe caused intellectuals to begin the study of sociology. • Auguste Comte used positivism, scientific observation so that one can be positive of results, to study society. Time Line of Early Sociologists Auguste Comte European Origins (cont.) • Comte distinguished between: – social statics – social dynamics Time Line of Early Sociologists European Origins (cont.) • Harriet Martineau emphasized sociology as a science and was a pioneering feminist theorist. Time Line of Early Sociologists Harriet Martineau European Origins (cont.) • Herbert Spencer compared social stability to the parts of the body. • Spencer introduced Social Darwinism—the idea that evolutionary social changes lead to progress provided people did not interfere. • He opposed social reform. Time Line of Early Sociologists Herbert Spencer European Origins (cont.) • Karl Marx wanted social scientists to change the world instead of merely studying it. • He thought that the bourgeoisie (capitalists) and the proletariat would eventually have a conflict and a classless, or communistic, society would emerge. Time Line of Early Sociologists European Origins (cont.) • Marx felt that the key to the unfolding of history was class conflict. Karl Marx Time Line of Early Sociologists European Origins (cont.) • Emile Durkheim believed that: – In preindustrial times societies were based on mechanical solidarity. – In industrial times societies are based organic solidarity. Time Line of Early Sociologists European Origins (cont.) • Dirkheim introduced the use of statistical techniques for testing social theories. Time Line of Early Sociologists Emile Durkheim European Origins (cont.) • Max Weber claimed that humans act on the basis of their own understanding of a situation. • Weber believed that the best understanding of the personal intentions of people in groups can be gained through the method of verstehen. Time Line of Early Sociologists Max Weber European Origins (cont.) • Weber identified rationalization as a key influence in the change of society. Time Line of Early Sociologists Max Weber Sociology in America • The study of sociology began in Europe, but the greatest development has taken place in the United States. Time Line of Early Sociologists Sociology in America (cont.) • Jane Addams was the best known of the early women social reformers in the United States. • Addams focused on the women’s suffrage and peace movements, as well as the effects of industrialism on the lower class. Time Line of Early Sociologists Jane Addams Sociology in America (cont.) • Addams was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1931. Time Line of Early Sociologists Jane Addams Sociology in America (cont.) • W.E.B. Du Bois experienced and studied racial discrimination and segregation. • Du Bois analyzed the sophisticated social structure of African American communities within the United States and throughout the world. Time Line of Early Sociologists W.E.B. Du Bois How did Karl Marx believe a communistic society would arise? A. Through the method of verstehen B. By rationalization C. Class conflict would ensue D. Through the rise of social Darwinism A. B. C. D. A B C D How were Jane Addams and W.E.B. Du Bois similar? A. They were both from Europe. B. Both focused on people who endured discrimination. C. They left the United States. looking for a better life D. Both graduated from the University of Chicago. A. B. C. D. A B C D Section 3: Theoretical Perspectives Sociology includes three major theoretical perspectives. Functionalism views society as an integrated whole. Conflict theory looks at class, race, and gender struggles. Symbolic interactionism examines how group members use shared symbols as they interact. • theoretical perspective • functionalism • manifest functions • latent functions • dysfunction • conflict perspective • power • symbol • symbolic interaction • dramaturgy The Role of Theoretical Perspectives • Theoretical perspective, when applied to sociology, means a set of assumptions about the workings of a society accepted as true by the supporters of the theory. The Role of Theoretical Perspectives (cont.) • Three theoretical perspectives overarch in the field of sociology: – functionalism – conflict theory – symbolic interaction A World Turned Upside Down Perception and Perspective Is it important to have different perspectives? A. Yes B. No C. It depends on the situation A. A B. B C. C Functionalism • Functionalism states that all parts of a society contribute, or function, as an integrated whole. • A change in one part of a society leads to change in another part. Functionalism (cont.) • According to Robert Merten (1969) there are two kinds of functions: – manifest functions – latent functions Functionalism (cont.) • Elements of society that make a negative contribution lead to dysfunction. • According to functionalism, there is a consensus on values that leads to the high degree of cooperation found in any society. Conflict Perspective • The conflict perspective emphasizes that groups and societies compete as they attempt to preserve and promote their own special values and interests. • Conflict theory is based on a contest for power. Symbolic Interactionism • Symbolic interactionism, according to Herbert Blumer, is defined as the interactions among people based on mutually understood symbols. Symbolic Interactionism (cont.) • The basic assumptions of symbolic interactionism include: – We learn the meaning of a symbol from the way we see others reacting to it. – We base our behavior (interactions) on those symbols. – We then use the meanings of symbols to imagine how others will respond to our behavior. Symbolic Interactionism (cont.) • To better understand human interaction, Erving Goffman introduced dramaturgy which describes human interaction as a theatrical performance. Assumptions of the Major Theoretical Perspectives The Social Sciences The Social Sciences Time Line of Early Sociologists Time Line of Early Sociologists Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2004–2005. A World Turned Upside Down Perception and Perspective