Introduction to Sociology SCIENCE AND THE SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE

Introduction to Sociology SCIENCE AND THE SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE

Scientific Method Research = Observation of Measurable Patterns

Natural (Physical) & Social Sciences Biology, Chemistry, Physics Sociology, Psychology, Political Science, Economics

Sociology is the scientific study of: Societies and Human Behavior

Disciplines That Started in Sociology Anthropology (study of humans past and present) Criminal Justice (study of crime) Gender Studies (women’s studies) Demographics (population studies) Epidemiology (patterns/effects of disease on populations) Public Health (prevention of disease in populations) Ecology (how people influence environment) Social Psychology (small group behaviors) Sociobiology (influence of evolution on social life) Social Work (improve life for individuals/groups)

Sociological Perspective Influence of the Social Environment Personality Development Behavior and Communication Opportunities

Observations Social Facts Scientific Method (objective) Verstehen To understand (subjective)

Theory Explanations and Predictions Interpretations Statements how parts come together

Sociological Perspective Structural Functionalist Theory (macro) Conflict Theory (macro) Symbolic Interaction Theory (micro)