The Sociological Perspective: Understanding Social Behavior in Groups

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2. Chapter Preview Section 1: The Sociological Perspective Section 2: The Origins of Sociology Section 3: Theoretical Perspectives Chapter Menu

3. Chapter Preview · Section 1 The Sociological Perspective (pages 6–13) Sociology studies human social behavior. It assumes a group, rather than an individual, perspective. Sociologists look for the patterns in social relationships. Individuals can benefit by using their sociological imaginations to look at events in their personal lives. Chapter Preview 1

4. Chapter Preview · Section 2 The Origins of Sociology (pages 14–22) Sociology is a young science. It started with the writings of European scholars like Auguste Comte, Harriet Spencer, Karl Marx, Emile Durkheim, and Max Weber. Jane Addams and W.E.B. Du Bois helped to focus America’s attention on social issues. After World War II, America took the lead in developing the field. Chapter Preview 2

5. Chapter Preview · Section 3 Theoretical Perspectives (pages 23–31) Sociology includes three major theoretical perspectives. Functionalism views society as an integrated whole. Conflict theory looks at class, race, and gender struggles. Symbolic interactionism examines how group members use shared symbols as they interact. Chapter Preview 3

6. Chapter Preview-End

7. Sociology studies human social behavior. It assumes a group, rather than an individual, perspective. Sociologists look for the patterns in social relationships. Individuals can benefit by using their sociological imaginations to look at events in their personal lives. Section 1-Preview

8. perspective sociology sociological perspective social structure sociological imagination Section 1-Key Terms

9. A B C D How much influence do groups have on your life? A.Much influence B.Some influence C. Little influence D.No influence Section 1-Polling Question

10. The Nature of Sociology • Perspective is a particular point of view. • Sociology is the study of social structure. • The sociological perspective always focuses on the group as opposed to the individual. The Social Sciences Section 1

11. A B C D How important is it to examine human behavior on a group level? A.Very important B.Somewhat important C. Not very important D.Not important at all Section 1

12. The Importance of Patterns • Social structure is the patterned interaction of people in social relationships. • Sociologists focus on a pattern of behavior shared by members of a group or society, not the behavior of an individual. • All groups encourage conformity. Section 1

13. A B C D Which size group do you think is the most likely to encourage conformity? A.Large B.Medium C. Small D.All have equal influence Section 1

14. Acquiring the Sociological Imagination • Sociological imagination is the ability of individuals to see the relationship between events in their personal lives and events in their society. • Sociological imagination allows us to question accepted ideas, or the conventional social wisdom. Health Insurance Section 1

15. A B C D Why is it important to understand the sociological perspective? A.To better understand the individual. B.To know which group is the best. C. To better understand the forces that effect our lives. D.To learn how to be social. Section 1

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17. Sociology is a young science. It started with the writings of European scholars like Auguste Comte, Harriet Martineau, Herbert Spencer, Karl Marx, Emile Durkheim, and Max Weber. Jane Addams and W.E.B. Du Bois helped to focus America’s attention on social issues. After World War II, America took the lead in developing the field of sociology. Time Line of Early Sociologists Section 2-Preview

18. positivism social statics social dynamics bourgeoisie capitalist proletariat • class conflict • mechanical solidarity • organic solidarity • verstehen • rationalization Section 2-Key Terms

19. A B C D How would you rate changes in our society over the past few years? A.Positive B.Neutral C. Negative D.No real changes Section-Polling Question

20. Auguste Comte European Origins • Sudden changes during the late 19th century in Europe caused intellectuals to begin the study of sociology. • Auguste Comte used positivism, scientific observation so that one can be positive of results, to study society. Time Line of Early Sociologists Section 2

21. European Origins (cont.) • Comte distinguished between: • social statics • social dynamics Time Line of Early Sociologists Section 2

22. Harriet Martineau European Origins (cont.) • Harriet Martineauemphasized sociology as a science and was a pioneering feminist theorist. Time Line of Early Sociologists Section 2

23. Herbert Spencer European Origins (cont.) • Herbert Spencer compared social stability to the parts of the body. • Spencer introduced Social Darwinism—the idea that evolutionary social changes lead to progress provided people did not interfere. • He opposed social reform. Time Line of Early Sociologists Section 2

24. European Origins (cont.) • Karl Marx wanted social scientists to change the world instead of merely studying it. • He thought that the bourgeoisie (capitalists) and the proletariatwould eventually have a conflict and a classless, or communistic, society would emerge. Time Line of Early Sociologists Section 2

25. Karl Marx European Origins (cont.) • Marx felt that the key to the unfolding of history was class conflict. Time Line of Early Sociologists Section 2

26. European Origins (cont.) • Emile Durkheim believed that: • In preindustrial times societies were based on mechanical solidarity. • In industrial times societies are based organic solidarity. Time Line of Early Sociologists Section 2

27. Emile Durkheim European Origins (cont.) • Durkheim introduced the use of statistical techniques for testing social theories. Time Line of Early Sociologists Section 2

28. Max Weber European Origins (cont.) • Max Weber claimed that humans act on the basis of their own understanding of a situation. • Weber believed that the best understanding of the personal intentions of people in groups can be gained through the method of verstehen. Time Line of Early Sociologists Section 2

29. Max Weber European Origins (cont.) • Weber identified rationalization as a key influence in the change of society. Time Line of Early Sociologists Section 2

30. A B C D How did Karl Marx believe a communistic society would arise? A.Through the method of verstehen B.By rationalization C. Class conflict would ensue D.Through the rise of social Darwinism Section 2

31. Sociology in America • The study of sociology began in Europe, but the greatest development has taken place in the United States. Time Line of Early Sociologists Section 2

32. Jane Addams Sociology in America (cont.) • Jane Addams was the best known of the early women social reformers in the United States. • Addams focused on the women’s suffrage and peace movements, as well as the effects of industrialism on the lower class. Time Line of Early Sociologists Section 2

33. Jane Addams Sociology in America (cont.) • Addams was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1931. Time Line of Early Sociologists Section 2

34. W.E.B. Du Bois Sociology in America (cont.) • W.E.B. Du Bois experienced and studied racial discrimination and segregation. • Du Bois analyzed the sophisticated social structure of African American communities within the United States and throughout the world. Time Line of Early Sociologists Section 2

35. A B C D How were Jane Addams and W.E.B. Du Bois similar? A.They were both from Europe. B.Both focused on people who endured discrimination. C. They left the United States. looking for a better life D.Both graduated from the University of Chicago. Section 2

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37. Sociology includes three major theoretical perspectives. Functionalism views society as an integrated whole. Conflict theory looks at class, race, and gender struggles. Symbolic interactionism examines how group members use shared symbols as they interact. Section 3-Preview

38. theoretical perspective functionalism manifest functions latent functions dysfunction conflict perspective • power • symbol • symbolic interaction • dramaturgy Section 3-Key Terms

39. A B C As you have grown older, has your perspective of school changed? A.Very much B.A little C. Not at all Section 3-Polling Question

40. The Role of Theoretical Perspectives • Theoretical perspective, when applied to sociology, means a set of assumptions about the workings of a society accepted as true by the supporters of the theory. Section 3

41. The Role of Theoretical Perspectives (cont.) • Three theoretical perspectives overarch in the field of sociology: • functionalism • conflict theory • symbolic interaction A World Turned Upside Down Perception and Perspective Section 3

42. A B C Is it important to have different perspectives? A.Yes B.No C. It depends on the situation Section 3

43. Functionalism • Functionalismstates that all parts of a society contribute, or function, as an integrated whole. • A change in one part of a society leads to change in another part. Section 3

44. Functionalism (cont.) • According to Robert Merton (1969) there are two kinds of functions: • manifest functions • latent functions Section 3

45. Functionalism (cont.) • Elements of society that make a negative contribution lead to dysfunction. • According to functionalism, there is a consensus on values that leads to the high degree of cooperation found in any society. Section 3

46. A B C D Which function is unintended and unrecognized? A.Manifest function B.Dysfunction C. Latent function D.Malfunction Section 3

47. Conflict Perspective • The conflict perspectiveemphasizes that groups and societies compete as they attempt to preserve and promote their own special values and interests. • Conflict theory is based on a contest for power. Section 3

48. A B C D Which of the following do you feel is the most associated with power? A.Wealth B.Prestige C. Ideas D.Physical ability Section 3

49. Symbolic Interactionism • Symbolic interactionism, according to Herbert Blumer, is defined asthe interactions among people based on mutually understood symbols. Section 3

50. Symbolic Interactionism (cont.) • The basic assumptions of symbolic interactionism include: • We learn the meaning of a symbol from the way we see others reacting to it. • We base our behavior (interactions) on those symbols. • We then use the meanings of symbols to imagine how others will respond to our behavior. Section 3