Download SOCIOLOGY Ninth Edition

SOCIOLOGY
Ninth Edition
Jon M. Shepard
Virginia Polytechnic
Institute
and State University
Chapter 1
The Sociological
Perspective
Chapter Outline
Using the Sociological Imagination
 The Sociological Perspective
 Uses of the Sociological Perspective
 The Social Sciences
 Founders of Sociology
 Theoretical Perspectives
 Theoretical Perspectives and Sport

Defining Sociology

Sociology is the scientific study of
social structure.
 Maintains a group focus.
 Emphasizes patterned social
relationships between members.
 Uses social factors to explain
human social behavior.
Sociologists Focus…
On the group, not the individual.
 On patterns of social behavior.
 On social forces that encourage
conformity.
 On the effects people have on social
structure.

Benefits of Sociology
Provides a vision of social life that
extends beyond one’s limited
personal experience.
 Research contributes to public
policies and programs.
 Enhances the development of
occupational skills.

Snapshot of America:
Literacy Rates
Origins of Sociology
Born out of social upheaval created
by the French and Industrial
Revolutions.
 In an attempt to understand the
chaos of their time, early
sociologists emphasized social
stability and social change.

Early Sociologists
Auguste Comte
 Believed society could advance
only if studied scientifically.
 Harriet Martineau
 Contributed to research methods,
political theory, and feminism.

Early Sociologists
Herbert Spencer
 Social progress occurs if people do
not interfere with natural
processes.
 Karl Marx
 History unfolds according to the
outcome of class conflict.

Emile Durkheim

Two major contributions:
•The psychological explanation of
social life
•Introduction of statistical
techniques in social research.
Max Weber
Method of verstehen assumed an
understanding of human social
behavior based on putting oneself in
the place of others.
 Explored the process of
rationalization in the transition from
traditional to industrial society.

American sociology
Born during a time of social
upheaval (following the Civil War).
 From the 1800s to World War II, the
center of American sociology was
the University of Chicago.
 After World War II, sociology
departments in the East and
Midwest rose to prominence.

Assumptions of Functionalism
1.
2.
3.
4.
A society is a relatively integrated whole.
A society tends to seek relative stability.
Most aspects of a society contribute to
the society’s well-being and survival.
Society rests on the consensus of its
members.
Assumptions of the Conflict
Perspective
1.
2.
3.
A society experiences inconsistency
and conflict everywhere.
A society is continually subjected
to change.
A society involves the constraint
and coercion of some members by
others.
Income Before and After
Tax, 1980, 1998, 1999
Pretax
Incomes
% change
1980-98
After-Tax
Incomes
% change
1980- 1999
Lowest 20%
-1%
19%
Middle 20%
12%
16%
Highest 20%
44%
67%
Top 5%
78%
241%
Category
Assumptions of Symbolic
Interactionism
1.
2.
3.
People’s interpretations of symbols are
based on meanings they learn from
others.
People base interaction on their
interpretations of symbols.
People can gear their interaction to the
behavior they think others expect of
them and they expect of others.
Theoretical Perspectives
and Sport: Functionalism
1.
2.
3.
4.
Socializes people to the basic beliefs,
norms, and values of society.
Promotes a sense of social identification.
Offers a safe release of aggressive
feelings generated by the frustrations,
anxieties, and strains of modern life.
Promotes the development of physical
fitness and sound character.
Theoretical Perspectives
and Sport: Conflict Theory
Sport is a social institution in which
the most powerful oppress, coerce,
and exploit others.
 Reflects the unequal distribution of
power and money.
 Prepares people for a world full of
stopwatches, time schedules, and
production quotas.

Theoretical Perspectives and
Sport: Symbolic Interactionism
Concerned with meanings assigned
to symbols of sports activities.
 Meanings and interpretations affect
the self-concepts of the participants
as well as the relationships among
those involved.

Paradoxes In Sport
Social integration
Positive
Can unite social classes and
racial/ethnic groups.
Negative
Can heighten barriers between
groups.
Paradoxes In Sport
Fair play
Positive
Promotes fair play through
adherence to rules.
Negative
Emphasis on winning induces
cheating.
Paradoxes In Sport
Physical fitness
Positive
Promotes strength, weight
control, endurance, and
coordination.
Can lead to drug use,
Negative excess weight loss or gain, and
injuries.
Paradoxes In Sport
Academic
Positive
Contributes to education
through scholarships.
Negative Emphasizes athletics over the
classroom and graduation.
Paradoxes In Sport
Social Mobility
Positive
Allows athletes to obtain an
education who might otherwise
not attend college.
Promises of fame and wealth in
Negative the professional ranks after
graduation can be kept only for
a few.