Sociology
Definition - The
systematic study of
human society and
social interaction.
Chapter 1 Section 1
• Word “Sociology”
coined by August
Comte (prominent
sociologist)
• Group behavior is the
focus
– Sociology-group
behavior
– Psychology- individual
behavior
Timeline
• 1830 science of sociology identified by
Comte, in Positive Philosophy
– 1848 Karl Marx- Communist Manifesto
• Classless society
– 1892 first Sociology Dept at Univ. of Chicago
– 1897 -1904 – published writings by WEB
DuBois, Durkheim, Weber
Something New
Group Behavior
• Cannot be predicted by
personal characteristics
– Something new is formed
when groups form
• Illustration: Bronze
(Emile Durkheim)
– Formed of lead, copper,
and tin-combined: new
substance
– Ex) mobs after
championships- Other
examples???
A society is a large social grouping that shares the same
geographical territory and is subject to the same political
authority and dominant cultural expectations.
Social Structure
• The patterned interaction of people in
social relationships
– Example: schools vary, but students and
teachers generally relate to each other in
similarly patterned ways
• What are some other examples of
patterned relationships?
Social Structure
• Social structure is an active and
constantly changing social force
– It varies across space and time
Sociological Imagination
• The ability to see
the relationship
between individual
experiences and the
larger society.
Private v. Public Issues
Sociological Imagination
• Questions common interpretations of
human social behavior
• Ex-Why would a young man join a
gang?
– Possible personal factors-to prove
toughness, looking for a family, lack of father
figure, peer pressure
– Sociologist would look at how society has
taught men to be “masculine”
– Looks at the category of young men
Stereotypes
Sociological Imagination
• Challenges conventional social wisdom
– No assumptions and no stereotypes
• Start looking at groups with the eyes of a
sociologist!
Acknowledgements
• “Simpsons” Powerpoint slides used from
http://sociology.mrdonn.org/intro.html