Sociology Standards SSSocFR1: Students will explain the origins of sociology and the sociological perspective, and how sociology relates to the other social sciences. a. Explain sociology, sociological perspective, and the sociological imagination. b. Describe the origins of sociology as a social science and the significance of its historical framework. c. Explain the relationship of sociology to the other social sciences. d. Identify careers where sociological knowledge is applicable. I AM A(N) American Athlete Teenager Student What is Sociology? Simply put, sociology is the study of society and behavior Systematic study of human social interaction How relationships develop, are maintained, and change Example: Nazi Germany How did this group emerge? What led to their expansion and growth? Does this group exist today, in what form? What is Sociology?...contd Sociological perspective Centers around one simple question How are people influenced by their society? Social context shapes beliefs and attitudes and sets guidelines for what we do C. Wright Mills (1916 1962) The sociological perspective enables us to grasp the connection between history and biography. Internal vs. External Influences What is Sociology contd Involves the use of the sociological imagination C. Wright Mills coined term capacity to shift from one perspective to another Ability to see how sociological situations play out due to how people differ in terms of their places in given social or historical circumstances Example: Drinking tea Getting married How does Sociology compare/contrast with the other social sciences? Anthropology Comparative study of past and present cultures Similar in subject matter Comparison with Sociology: Anthropology simple comparison Sociology complex/advanced comparison Psychology Deals with behavior and thinking of organisms Comparison with Sociology: Psychology - focus on individual behavior Sociology focus on group behavior Economics Study of choices people make to satisfy needs and wants Sociologists What effect does the economy have on groups in society? History Sociologists study past events to help them explain current social behaviors/attitudes Political Science Organization and operation of government Sociologists focus on formation of groups (political parties, voting patterns, interest groups) Rise of Sociology Began in the mid-1800s Social observers using scientific methods to test ideas Driven by intellectual, social, and political change in Europe Revolutions Industrial Revolution produced radical changes in structure of society Gone was tradition Founders of Sociology Auguste Comte Founder of Sociology Examined causes & consequences of French Revolution What creates social order? What causes societal changes? Urged application of science Positivism scientific method applied to society Observe and classify human activities Karl Marx Highly influential originator of conflict theory Viewed poverty and inequality as products of capitalism Sought to eliminate capitalism Predicted communism would emerge as new economic system Founders of Sociology contd Emile Durkheim Sociology recognized as its own academic discipline How do social forces affect peoples behavior? Social psychology Social integration Degree to which people are tied to their social group Analyzed suicide rates Max Weber Investigated causes of social change Effects of society on the individual Saw religion as central force to social change Rise of capitalism Established the ideal type General description when looking to classify something Pioneers in Sociology W.E.B. DuBois (1868 1963) Studied ethnic inequality and racism 1 st African American to earn doctorate from Harvard Observation turned to social action Helped found the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) Lifetime research interest was the relations of whites and African Americans Jane Addams ( ) Worked on behalf of poor immigrants for social justice Concentrated on housing, education, and working conditions of the poor Accomplishments: Co-founded Hull House Leader of womens movement Recipient of Nobel Peace Prize HOW DO WE EXPLAIN THE SOCIAL WORLD AND HUMAN BEHAVIOR? THE SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES INTERACTIONIST Perspectives in Sociology Examples: Family Provides context for reproducing, nurture, socialization Education Way to transmit societys skills, knowledge, and culture to its youth Religion Provides moral guidance and outlet for worship of higher power Politics Provides means of governing society Structural-functional theory (Functionalism) Identifying and examining the structures of society and how they function Society is a unit made up of system of interchangeable parts working together Each social institution contributes to the functioning of society Auguste Comte society is a kind of living organism Sociological Perspectives - Different ways of explaining how society works. (Looking through different lenses) Functionalism (contd) Assumptions: Stability Does a structure contribute to the maintenance of society? Compatibility How compatible are the structures within a society? Evolution How do new needs and demands impact the existence of structures within a society? Analysis involves two steps: Determine nature of social structure Assess the consequences for the operation of the social structure Positive consequence = function Negative consequence = dysfunction Emphasis on interconnectedness Manifest (intended) functions vs. Latent (unintended) functions Perspectives in Sociology Conflict theory Society is composed of groups who compete for scarce resources Addresses points of stress and conflict in society How they contribute to social change Theory addresses 2 basic questions: Who benefits from structured inequality? How do they maintain their advantage? CONFLICT THEORY (CONTD) 3 Primary Assumptions : Competition over resources is characteristic of all human relationships Structured Inequality Inequality is built into social structure those who benefit try to maintain advantages Revolution change occurs as a result of conflict between competitors Often abrupt and revolutionary Perspective in Sociology contd Symbol something used to represent something else Symbolic-Interactionism Theory Focuses on everyday aspects of social life People evaluate their own conduct by comparing themselves to others Our behaviors depend on how we define ourselves and others We both shape and are shaped by the relationships we experience Study focuses on small groups and face- to-face interactions SYMBOLIC-INTERACTIONISM (CONTD) Uses 3 basic premises to study human behavior: Symbolic meanings are important Meanings grow out of relationships Meanings are negotiated Example: Imagine yourself amongst a group of your closest friends. What are you doing? Now imagine acting, speaking, behaving the same way while visiting with family Functionalist Examples : Structures: (Groups, Institutions) Production crew Actors Family/Friends Marketers What actions must be taken to ensure society continues to function? What, if any, dysfunction occurs within the societal structure? Did you identify a manifest or latent function of the actions of a particular structure? Interactionist What do these interactions tell us about the society and roles people play within this society? How do changes in the symbolic interactions effect our view of this society? What other interactions impacted your view of a particular element of society? Examples: Trumans interactions with: Neighbors Coworkers Businessmen/women Family (Meryl & Mother) Best friend (Marlon) Conflict Examples : Conflict between those that want to free Truman and those that want the show to go on. Conflict that emerges as Truman begins to discover flaws in the society that has been created around him How does conflict lead to change? What resource is scarce for Truman? What results from Trumans attempts at achieving/gaining this resource?