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Introduction to Sociology

Explore the scientific study of human society and social behavior through the lens of sociology. Gain a sociological perspective to understand social interaction and phenomena in the context of culture and history.

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Introduction to Sociology

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  1. Introduction to Sociology

  2. Sociology • The scientific study of human society and social behavior. • Focus on the group, not the individual • 2 interests: • Social interaction – how people relate to one another and influence behaviors • Social phenomena – observable facts or events that involve human society

  3. Why Study Sociology? • To gain a sociological perspective... • Look past “common sense” explanations of the world • Take a scientific systematic viewpoint • All people are social beings… look for the hidden or not obvious motives for behaviors • Helps you view your life in context of your culture and in history

  4. Sociology and the Social Sciences

  5. The Sociological Imagination • “The capacity to range from the most impersonal and remote [topics] to the most intimate features of the human self – and to see the relations between the two.” – C. Wright Mills • The ability to see the connection between the larger world and your personal life.

  6. Personal Troubles vs. Public Issues • Read the excerpt of C. Wright Mills’ “The Promise of the Sociological Imagination.” • Answer the following questions in your notes… • What are the main differences between personal troubles and public issues? • Is sociology more concerned with personal troubles or public issues? • How can an issue, such as unemployment, be a personal trouble or a public issue? • Describe 1 example from society that can be a personal trouble AND a public issue. (Hint: think about current events)

  7. Personal Troubles vs. Public Issues • Differences… • Troubles deal with the individual and are dependent on the individual’s values and immediate social setting…. PRIVATE MATTER • Issues deal with groups of people or institutions (gov’t, religion, marriage, etc) and are dependent on the structure of the institution… PUBLIC MATTER • There will always be people who want status quo (no change) and people who want change (antagonists, antagonisms)

  8. Personal Troubles vs. Public Issues • Sociology is more concerned with public issues, however individuals MAKE groups, therefore personal troubles must be shared to make a public issue. • Unemployment • Personal trouble – 1 person unemployed… Lazy? Uneducated? Unfortunate life events? No open jobs? Etc… • Public issue – millions of people unemployed… what is wrong with the gov’t, economy, political system, etc?

  9. Personal Troubles vs. Public Issues • WAR • Personal trouble (dependent on one’s values)– how to survive or how to die with honor, how to make money, how to contribute to the war effort and/or termination. • Public issue (dependent on structural issues) – what are the causes of the war, what are the effects on the economy, political system, and culture, how will the world be different?

  10. Personal Troubles VS. Public Issues • MARRIAGE • Personal trouble – personal problems/issues between a couple • Public issue – high or increasing divorce rates… what is wrong with the institution of marriage? Are there economic factors? • ALSO, current debate on same-sex marriage… no longer a personal trouble…

  11. History of Sociology • Late 1700s-mid 1800s - Industrial Revolution in Europe and America • Increased social classes, cities, population • increased social problems • Late 1700s - American and French Revolutions • Demand for personal liberty and social change

  12. Auguste Comte (1798-1857) • Coined “sociology” – the study of society • Interested in the causes of the French Revolution  social order and social change • Studied using sci. method • Social statics – processes that hold society together • Social dynamics – processes that change society

  13. Karl Marx (1818-1883) • Father of “conflict theory” • Society is divided into two parts: • Bourgeoisie (capitalists) • Own the means of production • The “haves” • Proletariat (workers) • Own nothing, provide labor • The “have-nots” • Imbalance  inevitable conflict, in which the proletariat must overthrow the bourgeoisie • Result  classless society to which each citizen would contribute and be rewarded according to needs (socialism then communism)

  14. Herbert Spencer (1820-1903) • Influenced by Darwin’s ideas • Viewed society as a biological organism – a set of interdependent parts that worked together to maintain the system over time. • Social Darwinism – the fittest societies survive over time  general upgrading of global societies • No longer used to describe societies due to lack of scientific method

  15. Emile Durkheim (1858-1917) • Founder of “functionalist theory” • Very concerned with sociology as a SCIENCE • Society is like a biological organism, in which each part of society serves a function • If the function can be done without, that part of society disappears. • First true sociological study ever – Suicide (1897) • Examined suicide rates in several European countries

  16. Max Weber (1864-1920) • Interested in effects of society on the individual • Go beyond directly observable behaviors and events and consider emotions and thoughts • Interpretive rather than empirical (based upon sci. evidence) • “Protestant work ethic” – religion and capitalism • Insecurity about salvation influenced Protestants to look for signs of later salvation  profits and financial gain

  17. Current Perspectives • Theory – an explanation of phenomenon that organizes data and predicts future behaviors • Theoretical perspectives – a school of thought, a general set of assumptions about the nature of things.

  18. Functionalist Perspective • Macro (big picture) • Comte, Spencer, and Durkheim • Society is like an organism in which each part serves a function. • Society is held together through consensus. • Most people agree on what is best for society and work together to ensure the system runs smoothly. • Dysfunctional elements have negative societal consequences, but can still serve a purpose • Ex: “What role does crime play in society?”

  19. Functionalist Perspective • Manifest function – the intended and recognized consequence of a societal element • EX: The manifest function of the automobile is to transport people/things. • Latent function – unintended and unrecognized consequence of a societal element • EX: The latent function of the automobile is to display wealth or social status.

  20. Conflict Perspective • Macro (big picture) • Marx • There are always forces in society that promote competition and change. • Conflict occurs due to scarcity of wanted resources. • Haves vs. have-nots • Shown in revolutions (violent) to competition between men and women (nonviolent) • Ex: “What types of group conflict motivate criminal actions?”

  21. Symbolic Interactionist Perspective • Micro (small scale) • Focuses on how people interact with one another and how people assign meaning to actions. • Symbols – anything that represents something else, individuals in a society must agree on meaning • Objects, gestures, words, events • Symbolic interaction – how people use symbols to interact with one another • Ex:”How do people use criminal actions to symbolize thoughts?” Perspectives Video

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