Ch.1: Introduction to
Sociology
1. Sociology…
a. Sociology:
The “scientific” study of social structure
(patterned interaction of people in social
relationships).
***How Sociology Works
*** Scientifically speaking, what
made everything in the picture the
way it is; individually and together.
Individual Thing vs. Ecosystem
Why/how does it all work together?
*** Scientifically speaking, what
made everything in the picture the
way it is; individually and together.
Individual Thing vs. Ecosystem
Why/how does it all work together?
Sociology’s “Elements”
.Positivism
.Social Statics
.Social Dynamics
.Class Conflict
.Theoretical Perspectives
.Mechanical Solidarity
.Organic Solidarity
.Verstehen
.Latent Functions
.Manifest Functions
.Dramaturgy
.Dysfunction
.Rationalization
.Conflict Perspective
.Symbolic Interactionism
.Functionalism
.Self-Fulfilling Prophecy
Positivism
Dramaturgy
Class Conflict
Organic Solidarity
Manifest Functions
The Theoretical
Perspectives
Social Dynamics
Self-Fulfilling
Prophecy
2. The Beginnings of Sociology
a. Late 19th century Europe.
i. A sense of community was being lost
- Industrialization and Social Disorder
i.e. Farms to Factory Life,
French and Industrial Revolutions.
b. Intellectuals were troubled by these changes.
i. Restore community and a sense of order.
3. The Sociological Perspective
a. The sociological perspective is the way
sociologists observe.
i. Focus on social structures at the group level.
b. There are different “schools”/perspectives.
i. Leads to different explanations.
***Sociological Perspectives…
What lens fits
your view
best?
Functionalism?
Conflict Theory?
Symbolic
Interactionism?
May Depend on Situation… Cartoon on Pg. 30
NO!
YES!
***Individual vs. Social Perspective
Individual
a.
Young man joins gang to
prove toughness.
Social
a.
Young men join gangs
because society teaches that
it is masculine to do so.
b. Woman divorces husband to
develop her potential.
b. More women divorce
because of the social trend
toward sexual equality.
c.
c.
Teen commits suicide to
escape depression.
Teens commit suicide
because peer group
expectations, material
possessions, and physical
appearance.
4. Why Study the Group?
a. Sociologists believe the sum of the group is
larger than the individual components.
Lead + Copper + Tin
(Individual Components)
=
Bronze
(The Sum)
and/or
“What is not good for the hive is
not good for the bee”
- Marcus Aurelius
Roman emperor
5. Develop your
Sociological Imagination
a. Sociological Imagination:
i. Ability to see the relationship between
your personal life and events in society.
- To make better decisions for
yourself, others, or the group.
- You already do this.
Do finger-snap firework imagination thing from AVID.