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Chapter 2

Chapter 2. Sociology’s Family Tree: Theories and Theorists. Overview. Historical Factors What is Theory? Theoretical Perspectives Europe MACRO THEORY The U.S. MICRO THEORY New Theoretical Approaches Tensions Within Sociology.

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Chapter 2

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  1. Chapter 2 Sociology’s Family Tree: Theories and Theorists

  2. Overview • Historical Factors • What is Theory? • Theoretical Perspectives • Europe • MACRO THEORY • The U.S. • MICRO THEORY • New Theoretical Approaches • Tensions Within Sociology

  3. The Blind Men and the ElephantBy John Godfrey Saxe(1816-1887) It was six men of Indostan To learning much inclined Who went to see the Elephant (Though all of them were blind), That each by observation Might satisfy his mind

  4. The First approached the Elephant, And happening to fall Against his broad and sturdy side, At once began to bawl: “God bless me! but the Elephant Is very like a wall!”The Second, feeling of the tusk, Cried, “Ho! what have we here So very round and smooth and sharp? To me ’tis mighty clear This wonder of an Elephant Is very like a spear!”

  5. The Third approached the animal, And happening to take The squirming trunk within his hands, Thus boldly up and spake: “I see,” quoth he, “the Elephant Is very like a snake!”The Fourth reached out an eager hand, And felt about the knee. “What most this wondrous beast is like Is mighty plain,” quoth he; “‘Tis clear enough the Elephant Is very like a tree!”

  6. The Fifth, who chanced to touch the ear, Said: “E’en the blindest man Can tell what this resembles most; Deny the fact who can This marvel of an Elephant Is very like a fan!The Sixth no sooner had begun About the beast to grope, Than, seizing on the swinging tail That fell within his scope, “I see,” quoth he, “the Elephant Is very like a rope!”

  7. And so these men of Indostan Disputed loud and long, Each in his own opinion Exceeding stiff and strong, Though each was partly in the right, And all were in the wrong!So oft in theologic wars, The disputants, I ween, Rail on in utter ignorance Of what each other mean, And prate about an Elephant Not one of them has seen!

  8. Historical Factors in the Development of Sociology

  9. Historical Factors • The emergence of social sciences • Borrowing from the natural sciences • Applying the scientific method to the study of the social world

  10. Historical Factors • The Industrial Revolution • Invention: • Steam engine • Europe (in 19th Century) • Spread to U.S. • Social Change • Radical, rapid transformation of society and everyday life • New, widespread social problems

  11. Historical Factors • The French and American Revolutions • Political change • Overthrow monarchies • Freedom and democracy

  12. Increases in travel Exposure to other societies Compare and contrast social systems cultural practices Innovations in communications Rapid dissemination of information Historical Factors

  13. In-Class Exercise Re-imagining the Industrial Revolution

  14. “THEORY”(also known as): • Approach • Perspective • School of Thought • Paradigm

  15. What is Theory? Framework for understanding Abstract proposition: explains social world makes predictions about future What Makes a Good Theory? Broad, enduring Subject to testing prove, modify or disprove Can adapt to social change Theory

  16. Sociology’s Family Tree

  17. The Roots of Sociology • Auguste Compte (1798-1857) • Applied scientific method • Positivism • sense perceptions as only valid source of knowledge • Coined the term “Sociology”

  18. The Roots of Sociology • Herbert Spencer (1820-1903) • Interest in evolution • Societies (like organisms)evolve by adapting to changing environment • “Social Darwinism” • Coined the phrase • “Survival of the Fittest”

  19. Classical and Modern Theory • 3 “Grand” Theories • MACRO (Europe 19th Century) • Functionalism • Conflict Theory • MICRO (U.S. 20th Century) • Interactionism • Other theorists • Sigmund Freud (Ch. 5) • Max Weber (Ch. 6)

  20. FUNCTIONALISM(Structural Functionalism) • Understanding rapid social change • Could society survive? • Social bonds exist in all societies • Focus on stability, cohesion and order • Mechanical solidarity • Shared traditions and beliefs • Organic solidarity • Division of labor and interdependence

  21. Society is a system of interrelated parts • Social institutions • Each part helps meet needs of members • Robert Merton • Manifest and latentfunctions • Intended and unintended consequences • Dysfunctions may arise • Not all are unhealthy • Can lead to social change

  22. CONFLICT THEORY(Marxism) • Founded by Karl Marx • Marxism is NOT Communism • Looked at growth of Capitalism • Profit-driven private industry • Social inequality • Concern for the poor, working class masses • Marx’s vision: • A classless utopia “From each according to his abilities, To each according to his needs”

  23. Different groups compete over “scarce” resources Tension between “haves” and “have-nots” Class conflict The Bourgeoisie The ruling class (owners of the “means of production”) The Proletariat The working class The powerful protect their own interests Domination, exploitation results in: Resentment, resistance and rebellion Or, “False consciousness” (acceptance of the dominant ideology) Struggle leads to social change “Revolutionary” class consciousness Overthrow the status quo CONFLICT THEORY(Marxism)

  24. FUNCTIONALISM Emile Durkheim 1858–1917

  25. CONFLICT THEORY Karl Marx 1818–1883

  26. SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM George Herbert Mead Herbert Blumer

  27. SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM(Interactionism) • American branch of sociology • Early 20th Century • University of Chicago • “Chicago School” used the city as a social laboratory

  28. Face-to-face interaction and everyday life Focus on symbols meaningful representations signs, gestures, language Looks at how people: create and interpret social reality act toward each other based on their interpretations Symbolic Interactionism

  29. Tenets: • We act toward things based on their meaning • Meanings are not inherent; rather they are derived through interaction • Meanings can change or be modified Illustration: “The Slap”

  30. Tensions in Early Sociology • Eurocentrism, sexism and racism • Accomplishments (praxis) Jane Addams 1860–1935 W.E.B. DuBois 1868–1963

  31. New Theoretical Approaches What is the future of sociology? POSTMODERNISM:A possible 4th theoretical perspective?

  32. Postmodernism • Late 20th Century • New perspective for era • Post-atomic • Information Revolution (Digital Age) • Social reality is diverse, pluralistic and constantly in flux • Characteristics of eras • Modernism • Reason, science, rationality, linear, universal • Postmodernism • Relative, fragmented, fluid, multidimensional, temporary

  33. Next … Studying Social Life: Research Methods

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