The Sociological The Sociological Point of ViewPoint of View

Key Things in SociologyKey Things in Sociology

People are first and foremost a social being.Live in groupsConstantly exposed to social interaction

with others

SOCIOLOGYSOCIOLOGY

Is best defined as the scientific study of social interaction

OBJECTIVESOBJECTIVES

To enable people to live intelligently in their social world

To deal with social problems they encounter, especially conflict and social change.

Examples: survivor series, big brother

Shipwreck ActivityShipwreck Activity

SituationSituationAssume that your are part of a 10-member

group that is shipwrecked on a deserted tropical island. The island has a plentiful supply of wild fruits and plants, insects birds, fish, and hardwood trees. Some fresh water can be found in small island pools, but the bulk of the water is contaminated b salt from the ocean. Your group had time to rescue the following items.

ItemsItems2 large fishing knives4 plastic gallon jugs of water1 25 foot rope1 large plastic tarp1 set of binoculars1 can opener20 cans of fruit and vegetables

What to doWhat to doEstablish a list of rules, procedures, and

task assignments that would allow the group to survive on the island indefinitely.

Each group will share their list in class and explain how they came to agree on their list and whether they encountered any problems in reaching a consensus.

RememberRememberFor society to operate efficiently, members

must work together toward common goals. To ensure that most people cooperate for the common good, societies establish rules of conduct and expectations for behavior.

The Sociological Point of ViewThe Sociological Point of View

Section #1: Examining Social Section #1: Examining Social LifeLife

DefinitionsDefinitionsSociology: is the science that studies

human society and social behavior.Social Interaction: how people relate

to one another and influence each other’s behavior.

Phenomenon: is a observable fact or event

The Sociological PerspectiveThe Sociological Perspective Gain a new view or perspective for looking at ourselves and

the world. Common sense vs scientific fact Sociological Perspective helps us see better (objectively) Gives us insight The world as a whole

– Connection between the larger world and our personal lives is called Sociological Imagination (C. Wright Mills)

– Read aloud page 21

Sociology’s Place in the Sociology’s Place in the Social SciencesSocial Sciences

Social Science: disciplines that study various aspects of human social behavior

Anthropology: study of various aspects of past and present cultures.

Psychology: study of the mind and the individual. Social Psychology: study of how an individual behavior

and personality are affected by the social environment. Economics: study of the choices people make in an effort

to satisfy their wants and needs. Political Science: study of government. History: study of past events.

QuestionQuestionWhy is studying groups important?

QuestionQuestionWhy is important to have a sociological

imagination?

Sociology: Then and NowSociology: Then and Now

What created Sociology?What created Sociology? 19th Century Rapid social and political changes in Europe

during the 17th Century (Industrial Revolution)– Growth of Cities and the problems it created (SOCIAL

PROBLEMS)– Housing, crime, relationships,– Let to the American and French Revolution

Need for Study

Early YearsEarly YearsFrance, Germany & England (19th Century)Several key individuals surfaced

Auguste ComteAuguste ComteFrench philosopherFounder of Sociology (1st to use the term)Approve life after the French RevolutionWanted to use Scientific Method to

discover problems and find solutionsSocial Status: the society stay the sameSocial Dynamics: elements w/I society

that created change

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Karl MarxKarl MarxGermanyBelieved society is influenced by the economic.Created the idea of “Have and Have Nots”Focus on material and productionDeveloped the idea of Communism (Dialete

Theory)Lived during the beginnings of a “Capitalistic

Society”

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Herbert SpencerHerbert SpencerEnglandInfluenced by Charles DarwinThe idea that society was a liveBelieved that social change occurred

through problems therefore no attempt to resolve the problem should be taken.

That the best for society will survive

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Emile DurkheimEmile DurkheimFranceFirst to apply the methods of science to

the study of societyShould only study what can be seen (no

study of feelings for example)

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Max WeberMax WeberGermanMore interested in the study of GroupsHow society affects the individualVerstehen: the idea of placing yourself in

that person place and seeing it through their eyes.

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Current PerspectivesCurrent Perspectives

More DefinitionsMore DefinitionsTheory: is a systematic explanation of the

relationship among phenomena.Theorectical Perspective: is a general set

of assumptions about the nature phenomena.

Three broad theorectial Three broad theorectial perspectives in modern perspectives in modern

sociologysociology

Functionalist PerspectiveFunctionalist Perspective View society as a set of interrelated parts that work

together to produce a stable social system. Society lead together through consensus. What functions for example exist in a family,

church, place of work. Dysfunction: is the negative consequence an

element has for the stability of the social system. (crime)

Manifest function: is the intended function Latent function: is the unintended function

Conflict PerspectiveConflict PerspectiveFocus on those forces in society that

promote competition and changeClass Struggle Theory

Interactions PerspectiveInteractions Perspective

Focus on how individual interact with one another in society

Look at the individual and how the individual see themselves

Symbol: anything that stands for something else. Symbolic Interaction: used to study topics like

child development, relationships within groups and mate selection.

Applying SociologyApplying Sociology

Collecting Data (scientific information) is important to sociologist

Six Methods or techniques

Six MethodsSix Methods Historical Method - examining any materials from

the past– Tools, clothes, pictures, documents, etc.

Content Analysis - counting the number of times a particular word, phrase, idea, event, symbol or other element appears in a given context.– TV, radio, recordings, photographs, art, newspapers,

magazines, books, etc.

Six methods continuedSix methods continued Survey Method -

– Random Survey (???)– Two techniques used to find out information

Questionnaire Interviews

Observation - observe the behavior of individuals in actual social settings– Controlled environment– Uncontrolled environment

Six methods continuedSix methods continuedThe Case Study - Observational techniques,

researcher of pastStatistical Analysis - using mathematical data

– Using Variables - (a characteristic that can differ from one individual to another).

Key to ResearchKey to ResearchAnalyzing the data Making ASSUMPTIONS (NOT

FINDINGS)Reporting mistakes in research

QuestionQuestionHow has Sociology evolved?