The Development of Sociology
Development in 19th Century Europe
• Causes:– Industrialization and
urbanization caused many social changes and highlighted the impact of society on the individual
– Scientific Revolution inspired many to study social issues in a systematic way
• Sociology = study of human social behavior and institutions in a scientific manner
Early European Sociologists
• Primarily from France, Germany, and Great Britain– Auguste Comte– Harriet Martineau– Herbert Spencer– Karl Marx– Emile Durkheim– Max Weber
August Comte (1798-1857, France)• Father of sociology• One of first to apply
scientific methods to social issues
• Coined term “sociology” and believed it should be based on knowledge we can be positive is true (positivism)
• Studied social change to promote progress
Harriet Martineau (1802-1876, England)
• Used detached reporting to study American society and its promise of democracy
• Made connection between oppression of women and slavery
• Advocated that scholars should try to improve society not just study it
Herbert Spencer (1830-1903, England)
• Believed in biological model to society- society is a set of interdependent parts
• Father of social Darwinism- natural social selection would ensure “survival of the fittest”
• Sociologists and others should not interfere with social developments or problems
Karl Marx (1818-1883, Germany)
• Father of communism• Saw structure of economy as a
major influence on society• Believed imbalance of power
between classes would lead to conflict
• Emphasized role conflict plays in social change and led to development of conflict theory
Emile Durkheim (1858-1917, France)
• Developed first sociology course
• Believed in only focusing on observable social phenomena
• Focus on the specific function each part of society played in its maintenance
• Saw groups as separate from the individuals that form them
Max Weber (1864-1920, Prussia)
• Focused on effects of society on individual
• Believed sociologists should attempt to uncover people’s feelings through the meanings people attach to their actions (verstehen)
• Employed concept of the ideal type against which social reality can be measured
American Contributions• Built on European work as US
experienced its own Industrial Revolution
• First department of sociology at University of Chicago- focused on group interactions and finding practical solutions to social problems
• Expanded focus to marginalized groups– Jane Addams– W.E.B Du Bois
Jane Addams (1860-1935, US)
• Studied urban poor and provided first serious discussion on effects of industrialization and urbanization
• Focused on imbalance of power of social classes
• Developed Chicago’s Hull House to help immigrants and poor
W.E.B. Du Bois (1868-1963, US)
• Used empirical community studies to show the significance of race in American society
• Attacked assumption that African American were an inferior race
• Worked to help blacks with development of NAACP
Who is considered to be the father of sociology?
A. Max WeberB. Herbert SpencerC. Auguste ComteD. Karl Marx
Max W
eber
Herbert
Spencer
Auguste Comte
Karl Marx
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Who is the father of communism and studied conflict?
A. Max WeberB. Herbert SpencerC. Emile DurkheimD. Karl Marx
Max W
eber
Herbert
Spencer
Emile Durkh
eim
Karl Marx
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Who was the father of social Darwinism (social natural selection)?
A. Max WeberB. Herbert SpencerC. Emile DurkheimD. Harriet Martineau
Max W
eber
Herbert
Spencer
Emile Durkh
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Harriet M
artineau
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Who focused on individuals’ interactions and feelings?
A. Max WeberB. Jane AddamsC. Herbert SpencerD. W.E.B. Du Bois
Max W
eber
Jane Addams
Herbert
Spencer
W.E.B. D
u Bois
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All of the following believed sociologists should attempt to solve social problems EXCEPT
A. Jane AddamsB. Harriet MartineauC. W.E.B. Du BoisD. Herbert SpencerE. Auguste Comte
Jane Addams
Harriet M
artineau
W.E.B. D
u Bois
Herbert
Spencer
Auguste Comte
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Synthesis
• What were some of the main ideas and theories that developed during the 1800s and early 1900s about sociology?
• Which sociologist do you think was most important?