Download Chapter 1: An Invitation to Sociology

Chapter 1: An Introduction to
the Foundations of Sociology
Sociologists & The Contributions
European Origins
Sociology is a relatively young science
It began in the late 19th century in Europe
During this time, many things were
happening and changing how people lived
Many people started to look at how the
changes in society changed how people
lived their everyday lives
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European Functionalists
Auguste Comte (1978-1857) is
considered the “Father of Sociology”
His main concern was improving
society. He thought that they only
way to do this was to study society
scientifically
Comte wanted to use scientific
observation in the study of social
behavior-he called it positivism
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European Functionalists
His work primarily revolved around the
functionalist theory.
He felt that sociology should strive to discover
social laws-these would be the foundation for
society.
Comte also distinguished between social statics
and social dynamics.
Social statics is the study of social stability and
order.
Social dynamics is the study of social change.
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European Functionalists
Herbert Spencer (1820-1903) explained social
stability and society in relation to the human
body
He was a functionalist in this thoughts on society
Coined the theory of Social Darwinism and he
used Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution as his
backbone
Believed that social change led to progress as
long as people didn’t interfere
He didn’t believe in social programs to aide the
poor
His theory was very controversial
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European Functionalists
Emile Durkheim (1858-1917) believed that society
existed because of consensus among the members of
society
One of the first to use statistics to test his theories
Felt that solidarity was the glue that kept society
together.
Mechanical solidarity was used in pre-industrial
times and it stressed widespread agreement on
values, beliefs, tradition, family and conformity
Organic solidarity was created after industrialization
and it stressed social interdependency
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American Functionalists
Talcott Parsons (1902-1979) focused his work on
creating “grand theories” to explain how social
systems interconnect.
He used the bicycle wheel as an analogy…made
up of independent parts but all connected. If
working properly, the wheel spins. If one spoke is
broken, the wheel will eventually need repaired.
Also looked at society based on social action…at
rest, stay at rest, in motion, stay in motion until
something stops it.
American Functionalists
Robert Merton (1910-2003) looked at
society by breaking them into parts and
studying the parts individually.
Become experts in some sub-category:
race, gender, crime, population, etc.
Major contribution was identifying
functions in society. These functions were
manifest functions and latent functions.
Criticisms of Functionalism
Doesn’t pay enough attention to wealth and
power in the creation of society….too important
to ignore.
Not all buy into the idea that functionalism is like
a body and all must work to exist…society exists
because it serves some bigger need.
Another criticism is that functionalism doesn’t
address all the major issues fast enough or with
enough emphasis…example in text was
homelessness.
European Conflict Theorists
Karl Marx (1818-1883) is considered the
founder of the conflict theory
He believed that social scientists should use
their power to try to change the world and
not just study it
Was against the class system in the 19th
century industrial
Saw the bourgeoisie overworking and
exploiting the proletariat for their benefit
Wanted a classless society
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European Conflict Theorists
Marx looked at the haves and have-nots and
wondered why so many have-nots didn’t
challenge the status quo.
His theory states that these people have a false
consciousness, or they don’t really understand
their place in society. Maybe they think things
aren’t as bad as they really are??
He also believed that these workers would need
to develop class consciousness, or an
understanding of their social standing.
European Conflict Theorists
Harriet Martineau (1802-1876) is another figure in
sociology
Lost her sense of taste, smell and hearing very
young
Made a living off writing after her family’s business
closed
Best known for her translation of Comte’s book
Positive Philosophy into English
She believed that capitalism and industrialization
would provide more opportunities for people who
didn’t come from wealthy families
Her passion was women’s rights and slaves’ rights in
society as noted in her book Society in America
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American Conflict Theorists
W.E.B DuBois (1868-1963) focused on racial
discrimination in American society
DuBois also blamed European colonization for problems
in Africa…exploited and then left leaving nothing.
He tried to fix the “Negro Problem” by looking at
different African American groups.
His work looked at how poverty among African
Americans were because of prejudice and
discrimination.
Stated that society had a “double consciousness” and if
African Americans would assimilate more, they would
lead more “better-quality” lives.
American Conflict Theorists
Laura Jane Addams (1860-1935) is mostly known for her
work in Chicago where she opened the Hull House in 1889
Her work revolved around the thought that poverty was
due to “ignorance and social barriers” and not from
“failings of the person”.
She believed that society needed to focus on the
imbalance of power among social classes
She was against the idea of people not having a home, or
job or medical attention due to poverty
Addams was discriminated against during her life because
other social scientists didn’t accept her as a sociologist
because she didn’t teach at a university
American Conflict Theorists
John Bellamy Foster (1953- ) applies the conflict
theory to more of an economic angle.
Believes that capitalist countries are disappearing
from the world.
Also states that because of industrialization and
capitalism, more environmental and global problems
have been created
Money & the free market can’t fix these problems…if
anything, they’ll make it worse.
Used USA after WWII as an example…really a
superpower or were we in the right place at the
right time?
Criticisms of Conflict Theory
Often seen as being too radical
Seems like a constant pity party for those
who are oppressed
However, on flip side, not all conflict is
bad…it can allow for some social change
that was in the long time
coming….example: Civil Rights Movement
Symbolic Interactionists
George Herbert Mead (1863-1931) is considered
the founder of S. I.
Most of his work was published after his death by
his students who wanted to share his ideas and
beliefs
Main component of his theory is that once people
understand symbols, they create their SELF (or
their identity)
This self changes throughout your life as you
experience new things and become more confident
Symbolic Interactionists
Herbert Blumer (1900-1987) used Mead’s concept of
self and established 3 basic thoughts
He looked at how some situations are ok, while
others are not. Example: “dis” your mama
He identified how a person might create two
instances that are essentially the same, but yet
different
Another example from text was racial slurs
He also defined contagion…when we act fast
without thinking because of a high emotional
situation.
Symbolic Interactionists
Erving Goffman (1922-1982) developed a
theory called dramaturgy. It revolved
around the thought that life and social
interaction is like a play and people are
acting.
Sometimes we are “acting” so much that we
don’t even realize we’re doing it….are we
fake?
Kids don’t have much practice…they act and
say what they please. As we get older, we
learn how to act & react.
Symbolic Interactionists
Howard Becker (1928- ) believed in labels
and the meanings that are attached to
them.
These labels can be positive or negative
and can lead to “self-fulfilling prophecies”
We need to watch out when giving labels
because we could be way off and we
could influence their behavior without
knowing it.
Criticisms of Symbolic
Interactionism
Some feel that this theory spends too
much time and places too much emphasis
on the individual and not enough on the
social structure & its impact on society
Special Exception-Max Weber
Max Weber (1864-1920) influenced the
development of sociological theory
He is an exception because all of his work
touched on all three theoretical perspectives
A major belief of his was that sociologists need to
look at society without bias and judgment…it
would taint your reserach
Weber believed that humans act on the basis of
their own understanding of the situation-that
sociologists must uncover the meaning behind a
personal feelings, beliefs, and attitudes
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Special Exception-Max Weber
Coined the term verstehen, or the
understanding of social behavior of others
by putting yourself mentally in their place
Put yourself in their shoes & think before
you speak
Weber also identified rationalization as
the mind-set that emphasized the use of
knowledge, reason and planning
So…um, now what?
Great theoretical perspective graphic on
page 24 in your book…..using
homelessness as an example.
Provides major thought for each theory
and a question related to topic.