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Define “sociology” in your
own words.
CHAPTER 1: The
Sociological Point
of View
1.
2.
Examining Social Life
Sociology: Then and Now
EXAMINING SOCIAL LIFE
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Sociology- Science
that studies human
society and social
behavior.
Social InteractionHow people relate to
one another and
influence each other’s
behavior.
Phenomenon- An
observable fact or
event.
THE SOCIOLOGICAL
PERSPECTIVE

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Poverty, for example, often
is the result of high
unemployment
Teaches us to look at
social life in a
scientific, systematic
way.
Sociological
Imagination- Ability to
see the connection
between the larger
world and our
personal lives.
SOCIOLOGY’S PLACE IN THE
SOCIAL SCIENCES

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Social SciencesRelated disciplines
that studies various
aspects of human
behavior.
AnthropologyComparative study of
various aspects of
past and present
cultures
SOCIOLOGY’S PLACE IN THE
SOCIAL SCIENCES


HITLER’S RISE TO
POWER HAS BEEN OF
INTEREST TO ALL OF
THE SOCIAL SCIENCES

Economics- Study of
choices people make in
an effort to satisfy their
wants and needs.
Political ScienceExamination of the
organization and
operation of
governments.
History- Study of past
events.
SOCIOLOGY: THEN AND NOW
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The development of
sociology as a distinct
field of study began
during the industrial
revolution in the 17th
and 18th centuries.
The rapid explosion of
the urban population
produced a multitude
of social problems.
Individual liberties
and rights become
the focus of a wide
variety of political
movements.
THE FRENCH REVOLUTION
THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
THE EARLY YEARS
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
THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION
Sociology took root in
the 19th century,
primarily in France,
Germany, and
England.
These nations had
most strongly felt the
effects of the
Industrial Revolution.
AUGUSTE COMTE
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French philosopher
usually considered the
founder of sociology
because he was the first
person to use the term to
describe the study of
society.
Comte believed that
sociologists should be
concerned with two basic
problems- Order and
Change
He was concerned with
finding solutions to the
chaos created by the
French Revolution.
HE BELIEVED HIS NEW SCIENCE
COULD GIVE STABILITY TO
SCIENCE
KARL MARX


THE WRITINGS OF MARX LARGELY
WERE A REACTION TO THE HARSH
SOCIAL CONDITIONS PRODUCED
BY THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION

Believed that the
overall structure of
society is heavily
influenced by how the
economy is organized.
According to Marx, the
ills of capitalism would
not be solved until the
workers overthrew
those in power.
Author of the
Communist Manifesto.
HERBERT SPENCER

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Spencer was strongly
influenced by
Charles Darwin.
Social Darwinism“Survival of the
Fittest”
He believed that the
fittest societies would
survive over time,
leading to a general
upgrading of the
world as a whole.
SOCIAL
DARWINISM
SPENCER
COMPARED
SOCIETY TO A
LIVING
ORGANISM
EMILE DURKHEIM
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First sociologist to
systematically apply the
methods of science to the
study of society.
Like Spencer, he saw
society as a set of
interdependent parts that
maintain the system over
time.
Function- The positive
consequence that an
element of society has for
the maintenance of the
social system.
MAX WEBER
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Unlike others, Weber
was interested more in
groups within society
than the social whole.
Verstehen- Empathetic
understanding of the
meanings others attach
to their actions.
Ideal Type- Description
of the essential
characteristics of some
aspect of society.
UNLIKE OTHER SOCIOLOGISTS OF
HIS DAY, MAX WEBER THOUGHT IT
WAS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND
THE INDIVIDUAL
CURRENT PERSPECTIVES

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Theory- Systematic
explanation of the
relationships among
phenomena.
Theoretical PerspectiveGeneral set of
assumptions about the
nature of phenomena.
Three broad theoretical
perspectives form the
basis of modern sociology.
Each presents a different
image of society or
focuses on different
aspects of social life.
FUNCTIONAL
PERSPECTIVE

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Functional PerspectiveView society as a set of
interrelated parts that
work together to produce
a stable social system.
Function- Positive
consequence that an
element of society has for
the maintenance of the
social system.
Dysfunction- Negative
consequence an element
has for the stability of the
social system.
Function
Example:
Cooperation
in the
workplace
Dysfunction Example: Crime
FUNCTIONAL PERSPECTIVE
CONTINUED
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
An automobile is to provide speedy
transportation from one location to another.

An automobile is used to gain social
standing through the display of wealth.
In addition to being either
positive or negative,
functions can be either
manifest or latent.
Manifest FunctionIntended and recognized
consequence of some
element of society.
Latent FunctionUnintended and
unrecognized
consequence of an
element of society.
CONFLICT PERSPECTIVE

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Conflict PerspectiveFocus on the factors in
society that promote
competition and change.
Those who posses more
power in society exercise
control over those with
less power.
Competition over scarce
resources or wealth and
power are at the basis of
social conflict.
WORKERS OF THE
WORLD UNITE
INTERACTIONIST PERSPECTIVE
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Interactionist PerspectiveFocus on how individuals
interact with one another
in society.
Symbol- Anything that
stands for something else
Symbolic InteractionInteraction that takes
place through the use of
symbols.
This perspective can be
traced back to the work of
Max Weber.
The military salute, for example, is a
symbol through which soldiers show
their respect for authority.