The SociologicalPoint of View

Chapter One

Purpose

• To better understand human society, sociologists study how humans interact with each other.

EXAMINING SOCIAL LIFESection 1

Introduction• The primary interest of sociologists is

the combination of – The diversity of society/difference in how

people view a certain subject• example: religion is a personal choice

– The shared characteristics and ideas of society• example: crime is wrong

Math Problems

• For psychology, we had a math problem:– PSYCHOLOGY = thoughts + behaviors

• We have one for sociology too:– SOCIOLOGY = human society + social

behavior

The Sociological Perspective

• Definition: look at social life in a scientific systematic way, rather than depending on common-sense explanations

• Purpose of developing– See a connection between you and

society– Broaden your view of the social world– Learn there are many views of social

reality

• Sociological Imagination: the ability to make a connection between your personal life and the larger world

Sociology’s Place inthe Social Sciences

• Remember, the Social Sciences include: sociology, psychology, anthropology, history, economics, and political science

HISTORY OF SOCIOLOGYSection 2

A Historical Timeline• Developed as a

separate study in the late 1800s

– Due to the Industrial Revolution and the many social changes due to urbanization

• The Early Years—primarily in France, Germany, and England

August Comte: France, 1798-1857

• Considered the father of sociology; he coined the name sociology

• Intrigued by the causes and consequences of the French Revolution

• Focused on social order and social change• Said social statics hold society together

and social dynamics were the ways society changed

• Never completed his college education

Herbert Spencer: England, 1820-1903

• Pursued a study of sociology after inheriting enough money to quit working

• Social Darwinism—coined the phrase survival of the fittest to refer to the similarities between societies and biological systems

Karl Marx: Germany, 1818-1883

• Could never hold a job for long because of his revolutionary and radical ideas

• Felt society was influenced by its economy and two groups—the proletariat (workers) and the bourgeoisie (capitalists/owners)

• His views led to the development of conflict theory

Emile Durkheim: France, 1858-1917

• Developed the first college sociology course in France

• Focused only on observable phenomena

• Organized the first sociological study—Suicide, 1897

Max Weber: Germany, 1864-1920

• Looked at separate groups in society

• Verstehen: put yourself in someone else’s shoes

• Employed the concept of ideal type—the basic components of features of society

The American Sociological Association (ASA)

• Firsts– College Class: University of Kansas, 1889– College Department: University of

Chicago, 1892– Organization: 1905

• Growth– 115 members in 1906– Over 14,000 members today

CURRENT PERSPECTIVES

Remember, a perspective is just an idea

Functionalist Perspective• Based on the ideas of Comte, Spencer, and

Durkheim• View society as a set of interrelated parts that

work together to ensure the social system runs smoothly

• Functions—positive consequences for society– Manifest Function: the intended consequence– Latent Function: the unintended consequence

Conflict Perspective

• Focus on the forces in society that promote competition and change; can be violent or non-violent

• Competition over scarce resources (like money) is at the basis of social conflict

Interactionist Perspective

• Focus is on how individuals interact with one another in society

• Look at the role of symbols in our daily lives