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CHAPTER 01 What is sociology? 5 a science guided by the basic understanding that our lives are affected not only by our individual characteristics but also by powerful social forces and our place in the social world What are the four major sociological perspectives? 8 functionalism: sees society as a system of interrelated parts; a macro orientation because it focuses on larger social structures rather than individuals conflict theory: views society as various groups that are in a constant struggle over scarce resources; focuses on macro issues and is concerned with inequality and how it brings about conflict and change symbolic interactionism: focuses on how individual people interact with others in their everyday lives; studies how the use of symbols influences how people communicate; uses a micro approach because it is concerned with the individual’s role in creating society feminist theory: views society as being based on a patriarchal ideology that benefits men and discriminates against women; focuses on issues that are relevant to women; uses both macro and micro approaches; is concerned with gender inequality Why is community learning important ? 24 provides you with a fresh perspective and expands your understanding of sociology and your world 25 Sociology get the topic: What Is Sociology? Sociology Defined 5 Developing a Sociological Imagination 6 The Functionalist Perspective 9 The Conflict Perspective 12 The Symbolic Interactionist Perspective 14 The Feminist Perspective 18 The Four Perspectives—How Are They Interrelated? 20 Getting Involved in Sociology—Community Learning 24 Theories Functionalism 9 Symbolic Interactionism 14 •focuses on society as a system of connected parts working together to keep society intact •it is important to consider the manifest and latent functions of any issue or institution •society is fairly stable •focuses on the way people interact with each other to create the Conflict Theory 12 •focuses on social classes and groups and the differences in wealth, power, and prestige •powerful groups control society’s wealth and resources and exploits the weaker groups •groups that have power are likely to create advantages for themselves social world •communication is central to all human interactions and is possible because of symbols •disputes arise when people do not share the same definitions of symbols Feminist Theory 18 •focuses on gender inequality in society •social structures are patriarchal, meaning that they benefit men more than women •traditional sociology has ignored issues that are important to women 4th proof M01_CARL7181_02_SE_C01_p002-027.indd 25 20/01/14 11:17 AM Key Terms sociology is a science guided by the understanding that our lives are affected not only by our individual characteristics but by powerful social forces and our place in the social world. 5 feminist theory is a theoretical perspective that focuses on gender inequalities which are built into the social structure. 9 petite bourgeoisie refers to the class of people who have their own businesses but do not employ others. 12 patriarchal refers to a social system that benefits men. 9 proletariat refers to members of the working class who sell their labour for wages. 12 society refers to a group of people who live in a defined territory and who share social structures and who interact with each other. 5 social laws are statements of fact that are unchanging under given conditions and can be used as ground rules for any kind of society. 10 false consciousness is a person’s lack of understanding of his or her position in society. 12 sociological imagination is the ability to understand how social forces influence the lives of individuals. 7 social statics are the existing structural elements of society. 10 class consciousness is an understanding of one’s position in the class system. 12 social dynamics are changes in the structural elements of society. 10 Thomas theorem states that situations that are defined as real are real in their consequences. 15 micro is a small-scale perspective. 7 macro is a large-scale perspective. 7 social Darwinism is a notion which suggests that strong societies survive and weak ones become extinct. 10 self refers to a person’s identity and what makes that person different from others. 17 functionalism is a theoretical perspective that sees society as a system of interrelated parts. 9 functions are social factors that affect people in a society. 10 dramaturgy is a theory of interaction in which all social life is like acting. 17 manifest functions are factors that lead to an expected consequence or outcome. 10 conflict theory is a theoretical perspective that views society as various groups that are in a constant struggle over scarce resources. 9 latent functions are factors that lead to unforeseen or unexpected consequences. 10 androcentric bias is a focus on men that influences sociology in terms of how social research is done and which issues and topics are studied. 19 symbolic interactionism is a theoretical perspective that focuses on how people interact with others in their everyday lives. 9 bourgeoisie refers to members of the capitalist class who own the means of production. 12 Chapter 1 26 debunking is the practice of looking beyond the surface or obvious explanation and seeking out deeper explanations. 7 Sample Test Questions These multiple-choice questions are similar to those found in the test bank that accompanies this textbook. individuals. b. The belief that sociology is the best explanation of human behaviour. c. How sociologists wish society could be. d. A term that non-sociologists use to insult sociologists. 2. Which of the following questions might a symbolic interactionist ask about the social world? a. Why does inequality exist in society? b. Why do women typically earn less than men? c. How do social institutions keep society running smoothly? d. How does a particular social setting affect a person’s behaviour? 3. Erving Goffman’s theory of dramaturgy suggests that a. people behave similarly in a variety of situations. b. people change their behaviour to fit the setting they are in. c. people’s behaviour has little to do with others’ perceptions of them. d. people’s behaviour is not affected by the behaviour of others around them. 4. Who does a patriarchal social structure benefit? a. The poor b. The rich c.Men d.Mothers 5. All of the following are macro orientations except a.functionalism. b. conflict theory. c. social Darwinism. d. symbolic interactionism. ANSWERS: 1. a; 2. d; 3. b; 4. c; 5. d 1. What is the sociological imagination? a. The ability to understand how social forces influence the lives of 4th proof M01_CARL7181_02_SE_C01_p002-027.indd 26 20/01/14 11:17 AM ESSAY 1. The four sociological perspectives often overlap with one another. Choose a sociologist discussed in the chapter. Discuss how his or her ideas connect to at least two different sociological perspectives. 2. Why is it important for a sociologist to use the sociological imagination? What consequences might arise if a sociologist failed to use this way of thinking? 3. How might a conflict theorist study poverty? 4. Why is suicide a compelling sociological issue? 5. Describe possible manifest and latent functions of a law that would legalize drugs. Where to Start Your Research Paper To learn more about sociology as a scientific discipline, go to www.csa-scs.ca. To find useful information about the famous figures of sociology, go to http://media.pfeiffer.edu/lridener/dss/. To find an in-depth sociology dictionary, go to www.webref.org/ sociology/sociology.htm and http://bitbucket.athabascau.ca. For more information about sociology departments in Canada, go to www.mcmaster.ca/socscidocs/w3virtsoclib/cansoc.htm and www.sociolog.com/canada/links.html. To find a guide for sociological internet sources, go to www.socioweb.com. For more information about the study of symbolic interactionism, go to http://uregina.ca/~gingrich/f100.htm. To find an online journal of sociology, go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ List_of_journals_in_sociology. To find an excellent source for different information on sociology, go to www.trinity.edu/~mkearl/theory.html. For more information about feminist sociology, go to http://uregina. ca/~gingrich/o28f99.htm and www.sociosite.net/topics/women.php. Remember to check www.thethinkspot.ca for additional information, downloadable flashcards, and other helpful resources. 27 Sociology 4th proof M01_CARL7181_02_SE_C01_p002-027.indd 27 20/01/14 11:17 AM