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The Sociological Perspective
The systematic study of human society
What is Sociology ?
Scientific study of society and human behavior (Henslin, 2007)
Systematic, scientific study of human society (Thio, 2000;
Macionis, 2003)
Scientific study of human and social behavior (Robertson, 1989)
The process of scientific inquiry into social attitudes and
behaviors and the cultural products of those attitudes and
behaviors (Lamberton, 1998)
The scientific study of human society; the study of social
behavior and the interaction of people in groups (Landis, 1980)
Nothing less than a special form of consciousness (Berger,
1963)
What is Sociology ?
Scientific study of society and human behavior (Henslin, 2006)
Systematic, scientific study of human society (Thio, 2000;
Macionis, 2003)
Scientific study of human and social behavior (Robertson, 1989)
The process of scientific inquiry into social attitudes and
behaviors and the cultural products of those attitudes and
behaviors (Lamberton, 1998)
The scientific study of human society; the study of social
behavior and the interaction of people in groups (Landis, 1980)
Nothing less than a special form of consciousness (Berger,
1963)
Science
Requires the development of theories that can be
tested by systematic research
A body of knowledge obtained by logical,
systematic methods of research which allows
researchers to form generalizations (Honesty)
Places isolated, seemingly meaningless events into
patterns we understand
What Is Sociology?
“...The systematic study of human society ”
• Systematic
• Scientific discipline that focuses attention on patterns of behavior
• Human society
• Group behavior is primary focus; how groups influence individuals and vice
versa
• At the “heart of sociology”
• The sociological perspective which offers a unique view of society
Branches of Science
Natural Science
Social Science
Social Sciences
Sociology
 Economics
 Psychology
 Political Science
 Anthropology

Why Study Sociology?
Perspective
A variety of points of view of any
given subject.
The Big Picture
Sociological Imagination
Allows us to see
the strange in
the familiar.
Global Perspective
The study of the larger world and our
society’s place in it.
Why Take Sociology?
Education and liberal arts
• Well-rounded as a person
• Social expectations
More appreciation for diversity
• The global village
• Domestic social marginality
Enhanced life chances
• Micro and macro understanding
• Increase social potentials
Village of 100 people
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNnbO8
x4JAY
http://www.youtube.com/watc
h?v=jNnbO8x4JAY
Benefits of the Sociological Perspective
1.
2.
3.
4.
Helps us assess the truth of common sense
Helps us assess both opportunities and
constraints in our lives
Empowers us to be active participants in
our society
Helps us live in a diverse world
Importance of Global Perspective
Where we live makes a great difference in shaping
our lives
Societies throughout the world are increasingly
interconnected through technology and economics.
Many problems that we face in the United States are
more serious elsewhere.
Thinking globally is a good way to learn more about
ourselves.
Global Map 1.1
Women’s Childbearing in Global Perspective
The Sociological Perspective
Peter Berger
Seeing the general in the particular
• Sociologists identify general social patterns in the
behavior of particular individuals.
Seeing the strange in the familiar
• Giving up the idea that human behavior is simply a
matter of what people decide to do
• Understanding that society shapes our lives
Sociological Perspective and
Sociological Imagination
C. Wright Mills
Sociological Imagination
“History” is happening so quickly that we
can’t process what’s going on and we can’t
notice that the world is changing quicker
than ever before (Changes- technology, etc.)
In general the average person is too scared
or chooses to not to look at the bigger
picture.
C. Wright Mills’
Sociological Imagination
The power of the sociological perspective lies not
just in changing individual lives but in
transforming society.
Society, not people’s personal failings, is the cause
of social problems.
The sociological imagination transforms personal
troubles into public issues.
One cannot understand oneself without
understanding the social and historical context
in which one lives.
Your Choice?
College?
Career?
Marriage?
Honesty
Do you consider yourself an “Honest
person”?
Using a “sociological imagination” or
perspective, what factors can you suggest
might influence a person’s honesty?
How would you rate the level of honesty in
your immediate milieu? School,
neighborhood, community, nation…
Sociological Imagination
Groups -Discuss Sociological ImaginationIllustrations
In groups
Thinking Globally -pg. 8
Seeing Sociology in Everyday Life- p. 10
In the Times- pg. 11
Thinking about Diversity -p. 18
Controversy & Debate -pg. 21
Emile Durkheim
1858-1917
French Sociologist,
concerned with Social
Order and Social
Integration
Pioneered sociological
research with his study of
suicide
Durkheim’s Study of Suicide
Emile Durkheim’s research showed that society affects even
our most personal choices.
• More likely to commit: male Protestants who were wealthy and
unmarried
• Less likely to commit: male Jews and Catholics who were poor and
married
One of the basic findings: Why?
• The differences between these groups had to do with “social
integration.”
• Those with strong social ties had less of a chance of committing
suicide.
National Map 1.1
Suicide Rates across the United States
Figure 1.1
Rate of Death by Suicide, by Race and Sex, for the United States.
Teenage Suicide
Applying what you understand from the
Sociological Imagination (perspective)
discuss in your group: “How does the social
and historical milieu suggest that the
personal trouble of suicide is reflective of a
public issue of teen suicide.
The Origins of Sociology
One of the youngest of academic disciplines, sociology
has its origins in powerful social forces.
• Social Change
• Industrialization, urbanization, political revolution, and a new awareness
of society
• Science
• 3-Stages: theological, metaphysical & scientific
• Positivism–A way of understanding based on science
• Gender & Race
• These important contributions have been pushed to the margins of
society.
Sociological Perspective
Learning to look at society in different ways
Helps us see general social patterns in the
behavior of particular individuals
Encourages us to realize that society guides
our thoughts and deeds
From our limited experiences …
Judge the greater society
Place blinders on our views
Develop our prejudices
Develop our discriminations
Develop our concepts of right and
wrong
Sociological Imagination allows
us to think “globally”
Where we live makes a
great difference in shaping
our lives
Societies are increasingly
interconnected
Many US problems are
more serious elsewhere
Good way to learn about
ourselves
The Development of Sociology
Social/Political Factors of the Industrial
Revolution
• Rise of factory-based economy
• Emergence of great cities
• European political and social changes
Flood of Anthropological Data
Influences from Natural Sciences
Auguste Comte
1798-1857
The Father of Sociology
French philosopher who
coined the term
“Sociology”
Favored “positivism”
Concerned with Statics and
Dynamics
Herbert Spencer
1820-1903
Like Comte, concerned
with Social Order and
Social Change
Developed “Organism”
theory
Applied Darwin’s
Theories of Evolution to
societies
“Survival of the fittest”
Karl Marx
1818-1883
An economist, concerned
with Social Change
through Social Conflict
and revolution
Developed theories of
Class Conflict
Max Weber
1864-1920
German Sociologist who
emphasized under- standing the
social world from the viewpoint
of the individuals
Claimed that religion is a central
force in social change,
particularly in the advancement
of capitalism in Protestant and
Catholic countries.
Stressed Value Freedom
Harriet Martineau
1802-1876
First woman sociologist
Translated Comte’s work
from French to English
Studied British and
American societies
Jane Addams
1860-1935
Key founder of American
sociology
Developed study strategies to
solve social problems
Founded the Hull House
Instrumental in the formation
of several government
programs
W.E.B. Du Bois
1868-1963
First African American to
receive a doctorate from
Harvard
Created the NAACP
Concerned with racial
equality
Advocated the use of force
to gain equality
Sociological Theory
Theory: a statement of how and why facts are
related
• Explains social behavior to the real world
Theoretical paradigm: A set of fundamental
assumptions that guides thinking
• Structural-functional
• Social-conflict
• Symbolic-interaction
Theoretical perspective:
Read pages 14-18- Sociological Theory
In your notebook
• Put the fundamental aspects of the 3 theories
into whatever organizational scheme that makes
the most sense to you. Make sure you include
important terms.
JOURNAL TOPIC #1 (In notebook)
Read pgs 19-22- Sociology of Sports- Pick
another topic and analyze that topic applying the
3 theoretical perspectives.
Theory
A general statement about how some parts of the
world fit together and how they work; and
explanation of how two or more facts are related
to one another
A statement of how and why facts are related
Correctly predicts future events
Makes the facts of social life comprehensible and
understandable
Paradigm
A conceptual model that serves as a
cognitive map to organize experience so
that it has meaning and is comprehensible to
the observer.
Theoretical Paradigm
A basic image of society that guides
thinking and research
A model of society, or an orienting strategy
guiding views of and questions about
society
Analysis of Orientation
Macro Level
Micro Level
Major Sociological
Theoretical Perspectives
Functional Analysis
Conflict Theory
Symbolic-Interactionism
Functional Analysis
A theoretical framework in
which society is viewed as a
whole unit, composed of
interrelated parts, each with
a function that, when
fulfilled, contributes to
society’s equilibrium
Also known as functionalism
and structural functionalism
Functional Analysis
Focuses on Social Structure and Social
Function
Is macro-level orientation
Argues that Social Order is based on
Social Consensus
Originated from the work of Spencer
and Durkheim
Social Consensus
Condition in which most
members of society agree on
what is a “good” and
cooperate to achieve it.
Types of Function
Manifest Function
Latent Function
Dysfunction
Critical Evaluations of
Functional Analysis
Tends to be
conservative
Tends to dismiss
change
Overlooks the
negative
Structural-Functional Paradigm
The basics
• A macro-level orientation, concerned with broad patterns that
shape society as a whole
• Views society as a complex system whose parts work together to
promote solidarity and stability
Key elements:
• Social structure refers to any relatively stable patterns of social
behavior found in social institutions.
• Social function refers to the consequences for the operation of
society as a whole.
Who’s Who in the StructuralFunctional Paradigm
Auguste Comte
• Importance of social integration during times of rapid change
Emile Durkheim
• Helped establish sociology as a discipline
Herbert Spencer
• Compared society to the human body
Robert K. Merton
• Manifest functions are recognized and intended consequences.
• Latent functions are unrecognized and unintended
consequences.
• Social dysfunctions are undesirable consequences.
Conflict Theory
A theoretical framework in
which society is viewed as
being composed of groups
competing for scarce resources.
Conflict Theory
Focuses on Social Tension and Social
Change
Is macro level orientation
Argues that Social Order is maintained by
direct or indirect exercise of power
Originated from the work of Karl Marx
Conflict
Binds groups together as they pursue their
own interests
Focuses attention on social problems
Leads to beneficial changes that might have
otherwise not have occurred
Critical Evaluation of the SocialConflict Paradigm
Fails to come to grips
with orderly, stable,
and less controversial
aspects of society
Overemphasizes the
negative
Social-Conflict Paradigm
The basics:
• A macro-oriented paradigm
• Views society as an arena of inequality that generates conflict
and social change
Key elements:
• Society is structured in ways to benefit a few at the expense of
the majority.
• Factors such as race, sex, class, and age are linked to social
inequality.
• Dominant group vs. disadvantaged group relations
Who’s Who in the
Social-Conflict Paradigm
Karl Marx
• The importance of social class in inequality and social
conflict
W.E.B. Du Bois
• Race as the major problem facing the United States in
the 20th century
Feminism and the
Gender-Conflict Approach
A point of view that focuses on inequality and
conflict between women and men
Closely linked to feminism, the advocacy of social
equality for women and men
Women important to the development of
sociology: Harriet Martineau and Jane Addams
The Race-Conflict Approach
• A point of view that focuses on inequality
and conflict between people of different
racial and ethnic categories
• People of color important to the
development of sociology: Ida Wells
Barnett and W.E.B. Du Bois
Symbolic-Interactionism
A theoretical perspective that
focuses on how people use
symbols to establish meaning,
develop their views of the
world, and communicate with
one another.
Interactionism
Focuses on details of everyday life and interaction
between people, and on how meaning is assigned
to human interaction
Is micro level orientation
Argues that society responds through symbolic
interaction
Originated from the studies of Max Weber and
George Herbert Mead
Symbolic Interaction
The interaction that takes place
between people through symbols.
Critical Evaluation of SymbolicInteractionist Paradigm
Neglects the larger
social institutions and
social processes
Neglects powerful
issues of stability and
change
Who’s Who in the
Symbolic-Interaction Paradigm
Max Weber
• Understanding a setting from the people in it
George Herbert Mead
• How we build personalities from social experience
Erving Goffman
• Dramaturgical analysis
George Homans & Peter Blau
• Social-exchange analysis
Critical Evaluation
Structural-Functional
• Too broad, ignores inequalities of social class, race &
gender, focuses on stability at the expense of conflict
Social-Conflict
• Too broad, ignores how shared values and mutual
interdependence unify society, pursues political goals
Symbolic-Interaction
• Ignores larger social structures, effects of culture, factors
such as class, gender & race
Applying Theory
Major Theoretical Approaches
Applying the Approaches:
The Sociology of Sports
The Functions of Sports
• A structural-functional approach directs our attention to
the ways in which sports help society operate
• Sports have functional and dysfunctional consequences
Sports and Conflict
Social-conflict analysis points out that games
people play reflect their social standing.
Sports have been oriented mostly toward males.
Big league sports excluded people of color for
decades.
Sports in the United States are bound up with
inequalities based on gender, race, and economic
power.
Sports as Interaction
Following the symbolic-interaction approach,
sports are less a system than an ongoing process.
All three theoretical approaches—structuralfunctional, social-conflict, and symbolicinteraction—provide different insights into sports.
No one is more correct than the others.
Symbolic-Interaction Paradigm
The basics
• A micro-level orientation, a close-up focus on social
interactions in specific situations
• Views society as the product of everyday interactions of
individuals
Key elements
• Society is nothing more than the shared reality that
people construct as they interact with one another.
• Society is a complex, ever-changing mosaic of
subjective meanings.
Figure 1.2
“Stacking” in Professional Football
Sociological Theories
On the left side of the notes you took on
Sociological theories- develop some chart,
picture, mnemonic device, or other
depiction to help you distinguish between
the theories.
Share with the people in your group
Three Theoretical Perspectives
Social Networking
School
Religion
Government
Urbanization
Funerals
Family
War