An Invitation to Sociology Summary of Topics The

An Invitation to Sociology Summary of Topics The Sociological Perspective The Origins of Sociology Theoretical Perspectives Sociology is the scientific study of social structure. 2 Click on a hyperlink to view a topic or click on the right arrow to proceed through the chapter

The sociological imagination When you understand that your own behavior is partly determined by the groups you belong to, you are using your sociological imagination. Gives an understanding of the effects of events on our daily lives and an improved ability to make decisions, rather than just conform. sociological imagination: the ability to see the link between society and self Definitions: sociological imagination conventional social wisdom 3

The sociological imagination questions common interpretations of human social behavior and challenges conventional social wisdom: ideas people assume are true Definitions: sociological imagination conventional social wisdom 4

Illiteracy Rates “Nearly all American adults know how to read and write. ” The map shows the percentage of Americans over 20 years old who are illiterate. 5

A perspective is a particular point of view or a particular way of looking at an issue. 6

The Social Sciences Social science is a branch of learning that deals with human society. It includes a number of disciplines, which we generally refer to as the social sciences. Political Science Economics Psychology Sociology Anthropology These disciplines differ but they share enough in common to overlap. 7 History Social Sciences For more information on a particular branch of social science, select it from the tree.

Anthropology investigates culture, the customary beliefs and material traits of groups. History Economics Political Science Psychology It is the social science most closely related to sociology. Anthropologists, however, concentrate on the study of preliterate societies (societies that do not use writing). Sociologists focus on modern, industrial societies. Anthropologists might study the division of work among family members in ancient Egypt. 8 Sociology Anthropolog y Social Sciences

Economics is the study of the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. An area of research for an economist might be the annual income levels of American families. History Economics Political Science Psychology Sociology Anthropology Social Sciences 9

History examines past events in human societies. Historians generally rely on newspapers, historical documents, and oral histories as sources of information. History Economics Political Science Psychology Sociology Anthropology The nature of family life in colonial society is an example of something a historian might study. Social Sciences 10

Political Science Political science investigates the organization, administration, history, and theory of government. History Economics Political Science Psychology Political scientists are concerned, for example, Anthropology with voting patterns and participation in political parties. A political scientists might investigate the relationship between a family’s social class and voting behavior. 11 Sociology Social Sciences

Psychology investigates human mental and emotional processes. History Economics Political Science Psychology While sociologists concentrate on the group, psychologists also study the Anthropology development and functioning of the individual. Sociology A psychologist might study the effects of birth order on emotional development. Social Sciences 12

Sociology investigates human social behavior from a group rather than an individual perspective. It concentrates on patterns of modern-day social relationships. History Economics Political Science Psychology Sociolog y Anthropology Sociologists might study the relationship between the employment of women and family size. Social Sciences 13

Social structure is the patterned interaction of people in social relationships. Example: Although the personal characteristics of students and teachers vary from school to school, students and teachers relate in similar patterned ways. 14

Compare how someone studying individual behavior would explore alcohol abuse with how someone studying group behavior would approach the problem. Exploring why a person reacts in a particular way to alcohol abuse illustrates the study of individual behavior. Looking at socioeconomic factors that favor or discourage alcoholism is an example of the study of group behavior. 15 Click the mouse button or press the space bar to display the answer.

The Origins of Sociology is a young science. It grew out of the writings of European scholars who were interested in bringing back a sense of community to society in the late 1800 s. After World War II, America took the lead in developing the field of sociology. The majority of all sociologists are from the United States. 16

Time Line of Early Sociologists C. Wright Mills publishes 1959 Sociological Imagination Jane Addams awarded 1931 Nobel Peace Prize 1904 Max Weber publishes The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism W. E. B. Du. Bois publishes 1899 The Philadelphia Negro: A Social Study 1897 Emile Durkheim publishes Suicide Herbert Spencer 1850 publishes 1848 Karl Marx publishes The Communist Manifesto, Social Statics promoting a classless society Comte’s book, Positive Philosophy, identifies 1838 Auguste science of sociology Martineau publishes Society 1837 Harriet in America 17 Select a sociologist, by clicking on their name, and view their contributions. .

Jane Addams – early American sociologist 1860– 1935 social reformer co-founded Hull House in Chicago slums awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, 1931 focused on problems caused by imbalance of power among social classes active in women’s suffrage and peace movements 18

Auguste Comte–early French sociologist 1798– 1857 father of sociology first to advocate the scientific study of society positivism– science based on knowledge of which we can be “positive” distinguished between social stability (statics) and social change (dynamics) 19

W. E. B. Du. Bois–early American sociologist 1868– 1963 African American educator and social activist focused on the question of race inside and outside the United States analyzed social structure of African American communities active in Pan African movement, concerned with rights of all African descendents 20

Emile Durkheim–early French sociologist 1858– 1917 first used statistical methods in study of human groups first to teach university sociology course showed human behavior to be explained by social factors rather than psychological ones Studied suicide Coined the term organic solidarity- social unity based on highly specialized roles in industrial societies. 21

Harriet Martineau–early English sociologist 1802– 1876 emphasized sociology as a science translated Comte’s Positive Philosophy introduced feminism into sociology strong and outspoken supporter of both women and slaves 22

Karl Marx–early German sociologist 1818– 1883 guided by principle that social scientists should try to change the world rather than merely study it emphasized the role of class conflict in social change- conflict between those who own the means of production, and those who labor for them. writings were later used as a basis for communism Thought society would be ‘classless’ 23

C. Wright Mills–early American sociologist 1917– 1962 called the personal use of sociology “the sociological imagination” first described emergence of strong middle class (White Collar, 1951) published Power Elite, (1956) father of student movement of 1960 s Coined the term ‘sociological perspective’ 24

Herbert Spencer–early English sociologist 1820– 1903 early proponent of Social Darwinism opposed social reform; it interfered with process of natural selection compared society to human body; composed of parts working together to promote its well-being 25

Max Weber–early German sociolgist 1864– 1920 developed the concept of verstehen– understanding social behavior by putting yourself in the place of others identified rationalization as key to change from preindustrial to industrial society pioneered techniques to prevent personal biases in research 26

A theoretical perspective is: a set of assumptions about an area of study, in this case about the workings of society viewed as true by its supporters and it helps them organize their research 27

Sociology includes three major theoretical perspectives: FUNCTIONALISM 28 CONFLICT PERSPECTIVE SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM Click the hyperlink to learn more about theoretical perspectives or click on a graphic to learn more about a particular type of theoretical perspective.

Functionalism Emphasizes the contributions made by each part of society Society is a relatively integrated whole. Society tends to seek relative stability. Most aspects of a society contribute to the society’s well-being and survival. FUNCTIONALISM 29 Society rests on the voluntary participation of its members.

Conflict perspective Emphasizes the role of conflict, competition, change, and constraint within a society Society experiences inconsistency and conflict everywhere. Society is continually subjected to change. Society involves the constraint and coercion of some members by others. 30 CONFLICT PERSPECTIVE

Symbolic interactionism Focuses on the interactions among people based on mutually understood symbols. People learn to interpret the meanings of symbols from others. People base their interaction on their interpretations of symbols. Symbols permit people to predict the behavior expected of them. Dramaturgy- human interaction as a theatrical event. 31 SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM

Which perspective is the best? There is no “better” theoretical perspective. Each perspective highlights certain areas of social life. The advantages of one perspective are the disadvantages of another. Certain issues and problems are best understood from a particular perspective. 32

Society Looks at the Internet We can use technology to help us understand the role of “perspective taking. ” The Internet began as a way for military and scientific personnel to share information after a nuclear war. ARPAnet (the Internet’s forerunner) was formed in 1969 with only four connected computers. According to some estimates, there will be more than 500 million users worldwide by the year 2003. Cyberspace technology showcases the usefulness of the three theoretical perspectives. FUNCTIONALISM 33 CONFLICT PERSPECTIVE SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM Click on each theoretical perspective to learn more.

Functionalism Cyberspace has both positive and negative consequences. Advantages: parents can work at home and spend more time with children; individuals with disabilities can do jobs at home that would otherwise be denied, becoming more fully integrated into society. Dysfunctions: young people may have easy access to pornography, which can distort views of human sexuality; hate groups can be formed by strangers living many miles apart; anonymity may encourage antisocial or violent behavior. 34

Conflict perspective The Internet is changing American society by contributing to the increasing speed of technological change. Social instability created by rapid change might be investigated; workers may be let go as more tasks are performed by computers. Could guide investigation comparing numbers of computers used in school districts of varying socioeconomic levels. Because computer literacy is becoming essential for obtaining a well-paying job, students at wealthy schools with access to computers may have an advantage over students in poorer districts. 35

Symbolic interactionism Can the Internet affect a child’s social development? Popularity of TV cartoon characters reinforced by Web pages where children join fan clubs, interact with other fans, and view video clips whenever they want. Some TV shows feature children behaving in ways unacceptable in many American homes. TV provides limited exposure, but the Internet allows them to become part of daily life. Might conclude that what children come to accept as desirable behavior is based increasingly on interpretations of symbols and behaviors represented by these characters, thus the Internet lessens adult influence on children. 36

Indicate whether the following statements represent functionalism (F), the conflict perspective (C), or symbolic interactionism (S). a. Societies are in relative balance. F b. Power is one of the most important elements in social life. C c. Symbols are crucial to social life. S d. Social life should be understood from the viewpoint of individuals involved. S e. Social change is constantly occurring. C f. Conflict is harmful and disruptive to society. F 37 Click the mouse button or press the space bar to display the answers.

Chapter Summary Sociology studies patterns in human social behavior. It assumes a group, rather than an individual perspective. Sociology is a young science that started in Europe. After World War II, Americans took the lead in developing the field. The three major theoretical perspectives are: functionalism (society as an integrated whole), conflict theory (class, race, and gender struggles), and symbolic interactionism (how group members use shared symbols as they interact). 38