The Foundation of The Foundation of SociologySociology

The Sociological PerspectiveThe Sociological Perspective

Sociology is the systematic study of Sociology is the systematic study of human society.human society.

The sociological perspective helps us to The sociological perspective helps us to see general patterns in the behavior of see general patterns in the behavior of particular individuals particular individuals (the general in the (the general in the particular). Holding Handsparticular). Holding Hands

It also encourages us to realize that It also encourages us to realize that society guides our thoughts and deeds—to society guides our thoughts and deeds—to see the strange in the familiar. 5% have a see the strange in the familiar. 5% have a college degree. Less than 1% ever.college degree. Less than 1% ever.

The Sociological Perspective con.The Sociological Perspective con.

Sociology also encourages us to see Sociology also encourages us to see personal choice in social context.personal choice in social context.• For example, Emile Durkeim’s research showed For example, Emile Durkeim’s research showed

that the suicide rate was strongly influenced by that the suicide rate was strongly influenced by the extent to which people were socially the extent to which people were socially integrated with others.integrated with others.

• Global Map p. 4; Women’s Childbearing in Global Map p. 4; Women’s Childbearing in Global Perspective. A look around the world Global Perspective. A look around the world shows that childbearing is not a personal shows that childbearing is not a personal choice. Women living in poor countries have choice. Women living in poor countries have many more children than women living in high-many more children than women living in high-income nations.income nations.

The Sociological Perspective con.The Sociological Perspective con.

The greater people’s social marginality, The greater people’s social marginality, the better able they are to use the the better able they are to use the sociological perspective. Just as social sociological perspective. Just as social change encourages sociological thinking, change encourages sociological thinking, sociological thinking can bring about social sociological thinking can bring about social change.change.

Consider…T.R. commented, “a man has to Consider…T.R. commented, “a man has to take advantage of his opportunities, but take advantage of his opportunities, but the opportunities have to come”.the opportunities have to come”.

The Importance of a Global The Importance of a Global PerspectivePerspective

Sociologists also strive to see issues in Sociologists also strive to see issues in global perspective, defined as global perspective, defined as the study of the study of the larger world and our society’s place in the larger world and our society’s place in it.it.

Seeing sociology in Everyday Life--Mills Seeing sociology in Everyday Life--Mills argued that society, not people’s personal argued that society, not people’s personal failings, is the cause of poverty and other failings, is the cause of poverty and other social problems. The power of the social problems. The power of the sociological perspective lies not just in sociological perspective lies not just in changing individual lives but in changing individual lives but in transforming society.transforming society.

The Importance of a Global The Importance of a Global Perspective con.Perspective con.

There are three different types of nations There are three different types of nations in the world.in the world.

1.1. The world’s high-income countries are The world’s high-income countries are industrialized nations which have the industrialized nations which have the highest overall standard of living (60 highest overall standard of living (60 nations).nations).

2.2. The world’s middle-income countries The world’s middle-income countries have limited industrialization and have limited industrialization and moderate personal income (76).moderate personal income (76).

3.3. The world’s low-income nations have The world’s low-income nations have little industrialization and most people little industrialization and most people are poor (57).are poor (57).

The Importance of a Global The Importance of a Global Perspective con.Perspective con.

4. Think of the population breakdown 4. Think of the population breakdown as if the world were a village of one as if the world were a village of one thousand people.thousand people.

5. Global thinking is an important 5. Global thinking is an important component of the sociological component of the sociological perspective for four reasons:perspective for four reasons:

a. Where we live makes a great a. Where we live makes a great difference in shaping our lives.difference in shaping our lives.

The Importance of a Global The Importance of a Global Perspective con.Perspective con.

b. Societies the world over are increasingly b. Societies the world over are increasingly interconnected, making traditional distinctions interconnected, making traditional distinctions between “us” and “them” less and less between “us” and “them” less and less relevant.relevant.

c. Many human problems faced in the United c. Many human problems faced in the United States are far more serious elsewhere.States are far more serious elsewhere.

d. Thinking globally is a good way to learn more d. Thinking globally is a good way to learn more about ourselves.about ourselves.

6. Sociologist Barbara Ehrenriech took a low-6. Sociologist Barbara Ehrenriech took a low-wage job in order to find out more about life for wage job in order to find out more about life for people who had these jobs.people who had these jobs.

Applying the Sociological Applying the Sociological PerspectivePerspective

Applying the sociological perspective Applying the sociological perspective is useful in many waysis useful in many ways

1. It helps guide many of the laws 1. It helps guide many of the laws and policies that shape our lives.and policies that shape our lives.

2. It leads to important personal 2. It leads to important personal growth and expanded awareness.growth and expanded awareness.

3. It serves as excellent 3. It serves as excellent preparation for the world at work.preparation for the world at work.

Applying the Sociological Applying the Sociological PerspectivePerspective

Sociologists have helped shape public Sociologists have helped shape public policypolicy

Sociology and personal growthSociology and personal growth• The sociological perspective helps us assess The sociological perspective helps us assess

the truth of “common sense”the truth of “common sense”• The sociological perspective helps us assess The sociological perspective helps us assess

both opportunities and constraints in our lives.both opportunities and constraints in our lives.• The s.p. empowers us to be active participants The s.p. empowers us to be active participants

in our society.in our society.• The sociological perspective helps us to live in The sociological perspective helps us to live in

a diverse world.a diverse world.

Applying the Sociological Applying the Sociological PerspectivePerspective

The “sociological advantage”. A The “sociological advantage”. A background in sociological is also good background in sociological is also good preparation for the working world. An preparation for the working world. An increasing number of sociologists work in increasing number of sociologists work in all sorts of applied fields.all sorts of applied fields.

Economic changes in larger society, Economic changes in larger society, particularly the disappearance of many particularly the disappearance of many manufacturing jobs, have an especially manufacturing jobs, have an especially strong impact on those without a college strong impact on those without a college degree.degree.

The Origins of SociologyThe Origins of Sociology

Three major social changes during the 17Three major social changes during the 17thth & 18& 18thth centuries are important to the centuries are important to the development of sociology.development of sociology.• The rise of a factory-based industrial economyThe rise of a factory-based industrial economy• The emergence of large, thriving cities in The emergence of large, thriving cities in

Europe.Europe.• Political changes, including a rising concern Political changes, including a rising concern

with individual liberty and rights. The French with individual liberty and rights. The French Revolution symbolized this dramatic break with Revolution symbolized this dramatic break with political and social tradition.political and social tradition.

The Origins of Sociology con.The Origins of Sociology con.

Auguste Comte believed that the Auguste Comte believed that the major goal of sociology was to major goal of sociology was to understand society as it actually understand society as it actually operates. Comte favored positivism—operates. Comte favored positivism—a way of understanding based on a way of understanding based on science. He saw sociology as the science. He saw sociology as the product of a three-stage historical product of a three-stage historical developmentdevelopment1. The theological stage, in which thought 1. The theological stage, in which thought

was guided by religion.was guided by religion.

The Origins of SociologyThe Origins of Sociology

2. The metaphysical stage, a 2. The metaphysical stage, a transitional phase. transitional phase.

3. The scientific stage, using positivism 3. The scientific stage, using positivism to understand society.to understand society.

Auguste Comte and Karl Marx are well-Auguste Comte and Karl Marx are well-known political pioneers of sociology.known political pioneers of sociology.

Sociological TheorySociological Theory

A theory is a statement of how and why A theory is a statement of how and why specific facts are related. The goal of specific facts are related. The goal of sociological theory is to explain social sociological theory is to explain social behavior in the real world. behavior in the real world.

Theories are based on theoretical Theories are based on theoretical approaches, based images of society that approaches, based images of society that guide thinking and research. Sociologists guide thinking and research. Sociologists ask two basic questions: “What issues ask two basic questions: “What issues should we study?” and “How should we should we study?” and “How should we connect the facts?” connect the facts?”

Sociological TheorySociological Theory

There are three major sociological There are three major sociological paradigms:paradigms:

1.1. The structural-functional approach The structural-functional approach is a framework for building theory is a framework for building theory that sees society as a complex that sees society as a complex system whose parts work together system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stabilityto promote solidarity and stability

a. It asserts that our lives are guided a. It asserts that our lives are guided by social structures (relatively stable by social structures (relatively stable patterns of social behavior)patterns of social behavior)

Sociological TheorySociological Theory

b. Each social structure has social b. Each social structure has social functions, or consequences, for the functions, or consequences, for the operation of society as a whole.operation of society as a whole.

c. Key figures in the development of c. Key figures in the development of this approach include: Comte, Emile this approach include: Comte, Emile Durkheim, Herbert Spencer, and Talcott Durkheim, Herbert Spencer, and Talcott Parsons.Parsons.

d. Robert Merton introduced 3 d. Robert Merton introduced 3 concepts related to social function. concepts related to social function.

1. manifest functions: the 1. manifest functions: the recognized and intended consequences of recognized and intended consequences of any social patternes.any social patternes.

Sociological TheorySociological Theory

2. 2. Latent functions: largely Latent functions: largely unrecognized and unintended unrecognized and unintended consequences.consequences.3. 3. Social dysfunctions: undesirable Social dysfunctions: undesirable consequences of a social pattern for the consequences of a social pattern for the operation of society. operation of society.

Critical review: The influence of this Critical review: The influence of this approach has declined in recent decades.approach has declined in recent decades.

1. It focuses on stability, thereby 1. It focuses on stability, thereby ignoring inequalities of social class, race, ignoring inequalities of social class, race, and gender.and gender.

Sociological TheorySociological Theory

The social-conflict approach is a The social-conflict approach is a framework for building theory that framework for building theory that sees society as an arena of inequality sees society as an arena of inequality that generates conflict and change. that generates conflict and change. Most sociologists who favor the Most sociologists who favor the conflict approach attempt not only to conflict approach attempt not only to understand society but also to understand society but also to reduce social inequality. reduce social inequality.

Sociological TheorySociological Theory

A.A. Key figures in this tradition include: Karl Key figures in this tradition include: Karl Marx, Harriet Martineau, Jane Addams, Marx, Harriet Martineau, Jane Addams, and W.E.B. DuBois.and W.E.B. DuBois.

B.B. One important type of conflict analysis is One important type of conflict analysis is the gender conflict approach a point of the gender conflict approach a point of view that focuses on inequality and view that focuses on inequality and conflict between males and females. The conflict between males and females. The gender conflict approach is closely linked gender conflict approach is closely linked to feminism or support of social equality to feminism or support of social equality for women and men.for women and men.

Sociological TheorySociological Theory

C. An early pioneer: DuBois on Race. He C. An early pioneer: DuBois on Race. He described race as the major problem described race as the major problem facing the United States in the 20facing the United States in the 20thth century. century.

D. Another important type of social-conflict D. Another important type of social-conflict analysis is the race-conflict approach, a analysis is the race-conflict approach, a point of view that focuses on inequality point of view that focuses on inequality and conflict between people of different and conflict between people of different facial and ethic categories.facial and ethic categories.

Sociological TheorySociological Theory

E. Critical review: This approach has E. Critical review: This approach has developed rapidly in recent years. It developed rapidly in recent years. It has several weaknesses.has several weaknesses.

1.1. It ignores social unity based on mutual It ignores social unity based on mutual interdependence and shared values.interdependence and shared values.

2.2. Because it is explicity political, it Because it is explicity political, it cannot claim scientific objectivity.cannot claim scientific objectivity.

3.3. Like the structural-functional Like the structural-functional paradigm, it envisions society in terms paradigm, it envisions society in terms of broad abstractions.of broad abstractions.

Sociological TheorySociological Theory

The symbolic interaction approach is a The symbolic interaction approach is a framework for building theory that sees framework for building theory that sees society as the product of the everyday society as the product of the everyday interactions of individuals.interactions of individuals.• The structural functional and the social-conflict The structural functional and the social-conflict

approaches share a macro-level orientation, approaches share a macro-level orientation, meaning that they focus on broad social meaning that they focus on broad social structures that shape society as a whole. In structures that shape society as a whole. In contrast, symbolic interactionism has a micro-contrast, symbolic interactionism has a micro-level orientation; it focuses on patterns of level orientation; it focuses on patterns of social interaction in the specific settings.social interaction in the specific settings.

Sociological TheorySociological Theory

Key figures in the development of Key figures in the development of this approach include: Max Weber, this approach include: Max Weber, George Mead, Erving Goffman, George Mead, Erving Goffman, George Homans, & Peter Blau.George Homans, & Peter Blau.

Critical Review: Symbolic Critical Review: Symbolic interactionism attempts to explain interactionism attempts to explain more clearly how individuals actually more clearly how individuals actually experience society. However, it has experience society. However, it has two weaknesses.two weaknesses.

Sociological TheorySociological Theory

1.1. Its micro-orientation sometimes Its micro-orientation sometimes results in the error of ignoring the results in the error of ignoring the influence of larger social structures.influence of larger social structures.

2.2. By emphasizing what is unique, it By emphasizing what is unique, it risks overlooking the effects of risks overlooking the effects of culture, class, gender, and race.culture, class, gender, and race.

Applying the Approaches: The Applying the Approaches: The Sociology of SportsSociology of Sports

The function of sports. A structural-The function of sports. A structural-functional approach directs attention to functional approach directs attention to the ways sports help society to operate.the ways sports help society to operate.

Sports and conflict. A social-conflict Sports and conflict. A social-conflict analysis points out that sports are closely analysis points out that sports are closely linked to social inequality.linked to social inequality.

Sports as interaction. The symbolic Sports as interaction. The symbolic interaction paradigm views sports less as interaction paradigm views sports less as a system than as an ongoing process.a system than as an ongoing process.

Applying the Approaches: The Applying the Approaches: The Sociology of SportsSociology of Sports

Controversy & Debate Box—Is Sociology Controversy & Debate Box—Is Sociology Nothing More Than Stereotypes? In Nothing More Than Stereotypes? In contrast to stereotypes, good sociology contrast to stereotypes, good sociology involves making Generalizations, but involves making Generalizations, but with three important conditions.with three important conditions.

1.1. Sociologists do not indiscriminately apply any Sociologists do not indiscriminately apply any generalizations to all individuals.generalizations to all individuals.

2.2. Sociologists are careful that a generalization Sociologists are careful that a generalization is supported by available facts.is supported by available facts.

3.3. Sociologists offer generalizations fair-Sociologists offer generalizations fair-mindedly, with an interest in getting at the mindedly, with an interest in getting at the truth.truth.