Chapter 1 An Invitation to Sociology The Sociological

Chapter 1 An Invitation to Sociology

The Sociological Perspective

What is Sociology?

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

The Nature of Sociology Perspective is a particular point of view. n We all see what is happening around us through our own perspectives—our own point of view. n

What is unique about sociology? n Sociology has its own perspective– the sociological perspective (a view that looks at behavior of groups not individuals)

The Importance of Patterns In society you will inevitably find patterned relationships. n Social structure (the patterned interaction of people in social relationships) n

How do group behavior and individual behavior differ? Emile Durkheim you should not define something by the sum of its parts n argued that we do not attempt to explain bronze in terms of its separate parts, instead we consider bronze a totally new metal created by the combination of several other metals n

The Bronze Effect n the mixing of individual parts creates a new whole and new characteristics.

How do group behavior and individual behavior differ? (Example) 2011 Stanley Cup Canuck fans rioted n Canuck fans after the game disrupted the peace as a group but would not have done so as individuals. n

Why do people conform? Members of a group think, feel and behave in similar ways. n Conformity occurs because members value the group’s ways. n Conform when personal preferences are not that of the group n

Acquiring the Sociological Imagination The sociological perspective enables us to develop a sociological imagination. n C. Wright Mills sociological imagination (the ability to see the link between society and self) n

CW Mills & Sociological Imagination n Sociological imagination- knowing how social forces affect our lives can prevent us from being prisoners of those forces. n C W Mills called the personal use of sociology the sociological imagination– the ability of individuals to see the relationship between events in their personal lives and events in their society.

What is gained by using our sociological imagination? 1. 2. 3. Understand effects of events Awareness permits to learn and get a fuller understanding of the events Questions common interpretations of human social behavior.

The Origins of Sociology

European Origins: French Revolution n New political ideas were spreading in from France and America, where revolutions against the monarchy had taken place in the 1770 s and 1780 s. After the French revolution wars carried on across Europe for nearly 25 years, and the common people were those forced into the militaries of the period to do the actual fighting. Finally there was a long economic depression and living conditions did not improve much between 1790 and 1840.

It is not surprising that political discontent was common, especially among the working people crowded into the new industrial towns. n The reaction of the government in the late 18 th century to this discontent was also predictable --they tried to crush political and social unrest by force. n

European Origins: The Industrial Revolution and the effects of the French Revolution n Industrial Revolution of the 18 th and 19 th centuries spurred many new ideological studies. Many of the sociologists studied the impact of urbanization on society as well as the familial unit, etc. Auguste Comte’s sociology was overly intertwined with his own ideas of the correct polity.

In his view, society had broken down as a result of the French Revolution. n The Revolution was a good thing -- the Revolution had also been necessary because the ancien regime -- based as it was on obsolete theological knowledge -no longer served as a respectable basis for shared opinions. n

It was the progress of the sciences that had undermined this basis. n The Revolution offered no grounds for the reorganization of society because it was negative -- that is, the Revolution destroyed the old without creating the new. n

What were Auguste Comte’s major ideas? n n n Sociology Positivism (the belief that knowledge should be derived from scientific observation Social statics (the study of social stability and order) Social dynamics (the study of social change) Positive Philosophy

Main concern as an adult was the improvement of society believed if societies were to advance, social behavior had to be studied scientifically coined the term sociology. n Wanted to use scientific observation in the study of social behavior positivism– should be a science based on knowledge of which we can be “positive” or sure about. n

Distinguised between social statics the study of social stability and order & social dynamics student of social change n He published theories in a book Positive Philosophy believed sociology could use scientific procedures and promote social progress. n

Karl Marx believed that society was based on a class struggle between the “haves” and “have nots”. n Marxs believed that only when the workers (have nots) get tired of the domination by the wealthy oppressors, they will revolt and create a classless society communism. n

n n Bourgeoisie (class owning the means for producing wealth) Capitalist (person who owns or controls the means for producing wealth) Proletariat (working class; those who labor for the bourgeoisie) Class conflict ( the ongoing struggle between the bourgeoisie (owners) and the proletariat (working) class)

Emile Durkheim n Much of Durkheim's work was concerned with how societies could maintain their integrity and coherence in modernity; an era in which traditional social and religious ties are no longer assumed, and in which new social institutions have come into being.

Durkheim was also deeply preoccupied with the acceptance of sociology as a legitimate science. n He refined the positivism originally set forth by Auguste Comte, promoting what could be considered as a form of epistemological realism, as well as the use of the hypothetical-deductive model in social science. n

Durkheim’s Theories Mechanical solidarity (social dependency based on a widespread consensus of values and beliefs enforced by conformity and dependence on tradition and family) n Organic solidarity (social interdependency based on a high degree of specialization in roles) n

Max Weber Verstehen (understanding social behavior by putting yourself in the place of others) n Rationalization (the mindset emphasizing knowledge, reason, and planning) n

What were Harriet Martineau’s contributions? Harriet Martineau suffered very poor health growing up. n Harriet had to seek employment as a writer to support herself. n

She translated the works of Auguste Comte into English. n She wrote “Society in America” where she established a reputation for being a feminist. n

She saw a link between slavery and the oppression of women. n Believed women’s lack of economic power helped keep them dependent by writing about the inferior position of women in society she helped inspire future feminists. n

Why did Herbert Spencer oppose social reform? Herbert Spencer was home-schooled. n He had a great dislike for conventional education. n

He explained social stability by comparing it to the human body society is composed of parts working together to promote health and wellbeing and survival. n Just as the eyes and the heart make essential contributions to the functioning of the human body, religious and educational institutions are crucial for a society’s functioning. n

Spencer introduced a theory of social change called Social Darwinism based loosely on Charles Darwin’s Theory of evolution. n Spencer thought that evolutionary social change led to progress—provided people did not interfere. n

He opposed social reform because it interfered with the selection process. n According to Spencer society profits from allowing individuals to find their own social class level without outside help or hindrance. n To interfere with the existence of poverty – or the result of any other natural process—is harmful to society. n

Theoretical Perspectives

The Role of Theoretical Persepctives n Perception is the way the brain interprets an image or event. n. Have you ever shared a different perception of an event from a friend?

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What is a theoretical perspective? Theoretical perspective (a set of assumptions accepted as true) n Three overarching perspectives n n Functionalism Conflict theory Symbolic interactionalism

Functionalism (approach that emphasizes the contributions made by each part of society) n How does functionalism explain social change? n n They see the parts of a society as an integrated whole; a change in one part of society leads to changes in other parts

Examples: n n a change in the economy may change the economy parents may need to work longer or more jobs leaving less time for family interaction or major change in spending habits; an athlete with a concussion would have to halt all activity until they are declared symptom free this may lead to difficulties doing school work, less interaction with teammates and peers.

n Functionalism and conflict n n n Functionalism assumes that societies tend to return to a state of stability after some upheaval has occurred. Revolution or absorption? Student unrest and other protests during the late 1960 s illustrate this: Many Americans became suspicious of the federal government’s foreign policy Schools and universities became more responsive to students’ needs and goals Environmental protection became an important political issue to many Americans

These changes have not revolutionized American society. n They have been absorbed into it, society is only somewhat different from the way it was before the student protests. n According to Robert Merton (1996) there are two kinds of functions n

n Do all functions have a positive effect? n n Latent functions (unintended & unrecognized) Manifest functions (intended & recognized) Dysfunctions (negative consequences of an aspect of society) How does functionalism view values?

One of the manifest functions of school is to teach math skills, a latent function is the development of friendships. Elements that have negative consequences result in dysfunction; a dysfunction of school is bullying According to functionalism there is a consensus on values– most Americans agree on the desirablity of democracy, success, and equal opportunity.

Conflict Perspective Conflict perspective (approach emphasizing the role of conflict, competition, and constraint within a society) n Focuses on the disagreements among various groups in a society or between societies n

n What is the role of conflict and constraint? n n Power (the ability to control the behavior of others) How does the conflict perspective explain social change? n Groups and societies can compete as they attempt to preserve and promote their own special values and interests.

n Which perspective is better? n n n Supporters see social living as a contest! Those with the most POWER get the control Balance of power among the groups shifts, change occurs.

Symbolic Interactionism Symbolic interactionism (approach that focuses on the interactions among people based on mutually understood symbols) n What is the significance of symbolic interactionism? n n Symbol ( anything that stands for something else and has an agreed-upon meaning attached to it)

Symbolic Interactionism n n Charles Horton Cooley & George Herbert Mead n Cooley states: Groups exist only because their members influence each other’s behaviors n Mead states: society should be study according to how people interact and relate to symbols What are the basic assumptions of symbolic interactionism? n 1. we learn the meaning of symbols from observing the behaviors of others; 2. once we learn the meaning we base our interaction on them; 3. we use the meanings to imagine how others will respond) n Herbert Blumer believed we should study the patterns of interactions around symbols n Erving Goffman dramaturgy (approach that depicts human interaction as theatrical performances)