The Social Sciences: Sociology

1. The Social Sciences: Sociology

2. What is Sociology? • Systematic study of groups and societies • How does our society affect our behavior? • Sociological Perspective: • Stresses the social contexts in which we live • What we do and how we think are the result of exposure to human groups

3. A little history…

4. Founders of Sociology • Auguste Comte • Positivism: • Knowledge = empirical observations • Father of sociology • Apply science to studydevelopment of societies

5. Founders of Sociology • Herbert Spencer • Social Darwinism: • Societies evolve fromlower to higher forms • ‘Survival of the fittest’

6. Founders of Sociology • Karl Marx • Class Conflict • Bourgeoisie vs proletariat

7. Founders of Sociology • Emile Durkheim • Social integration • Degree to which peopleare tied to their social group • Behavior cannot be understood in individualterms; we must also examine social forces that affect people

8. Founders of Sociology • Max Weber • Religion is the force ofsocial change • Protestant ethic: Frugalliving and investing to make money

9. Theoretical Perspectives • Theory: • Organizes empirical observations (explains) • Acts as a guide for future observations (predicts) • Three major theories in sociology • Symbolic interactionism • Functional analysis • Conflict theory

10. Symbolic Interactionism • Symbol: Something to which we attach meaning • Example: We define ourselves and our relationships according to symbols • Society is composed of symbols • Analyze how behaviors depend on the symbols we use to define ourselves and others

11. Symbolic Interactionism • How would symbolic interactionism explain high divorce rate in the U.S.? • Marriage used to be seen as a lifelong commitment • Divorce was viewed as immoral, a flagrant disregard for public opinion, and abandonment of adult responsibilities

12. Emotional satisfaction ‘True love’ ideal Meaning of children Meaning of parenthood Marital roles Perception of alternatives Meaning of divorce Changes in the law Symbolic Interactionism

13. Functional Analysis • Society is a whole unit, made up of parts that work together (like a living organism) • Whenever we examine a part of a society, we need to look for ways it functions (helps) and dysfunctions (harms) in relation to the larger society

14. Functional Analysis • How would functional analysis explain high divorce rate in the U.S.? • Industrialization and urbanization undermined traditional functions of the family, leading to high divorce rate

15. Functional Analysis • Basic functions of the family: • Economic production • Socialization of children • Care of sick and elderly • Recreation • Reproduction

16. Conflict Theory • Society is composed of groups that engage in competition for scarce resources • Karl Marx’s observations of class struggle • Authority: Power that people consider legitimate

17. Conflict Theory • How would conflict theory explain high divorce rate in the U.S.? • Marriage reflects basic inequalities between men and women • Higher divorce rate is a sign that women are making headway in their struggle with men

18. Functions of Sociologyaka What’s in it for me? • General enlightenment • Challenge of public perceptions

19. Functions of Sociologyaka What’s in it for me? • General enlightenment • Challenge of public perceptions • Identify social problems and design solutions

20. Functions of Sociologyaka What’s in it for me? • General enlightenment • Challenge of public perceptions • Identify social problems and designing solutions • Sociological imagination or sociological perspective