The Sociological Perspective The Sociological perspective is illustrated

The Sociological Perspective • The Sociological perspective is illustrated through considering causes of suicide • Suicide often regarded as a supremely antisocial and non-social act • Yet there are hidden social causes of suicide-SEE DURKHEIM, SUICIDE: A STUDY OF SOCIAL FORMS Copyright © 2010 Nelson Education Limited 2

Theory, Research, and Values • Auguste Comte (1798 -1857): Sought to understand the social world using scientific method of research ØCoined the term, “sociology” ØSOCI in latin-companion ØLOGY in latin-reason. Copyright © 2010 Nelson Education Limited 3

Theory, Research, and Values 1. There Is tension between (i) belief in importance of science, & (ii) vision of ideal society 1. Tension in works of important early figures in sociology (e. g. , Marx, Durkheim, Weber) 2. Tension- continues today- Theory, research, and values… Copyright © 2010 Nelson Education Limited 4

Sociology’s Four Main Theoretical Traditions 1. Functionalism: How is social order supported by macrostructures? 2. Conflict Theory: How is social inequality maintained and challenged? 3. Symbolic Interactionism: How do people create meaning when they communicate in micro-level settings? 4. Feminism: What are the social sources of patriarchy in both macro and micro settings? Copyright © 2010 Nelson Education Limited 5

Functionalism 1. Human behaviour is governed by stable patterns of social relations (“social structures”) 2. Social structures can either maintain or undermine social stability. 3. Suggests social structures are based mainly on shared values 4. Argues that re-establishing equilibrium - best way to solve most social problems. Copyright © 2010 Nelson Education Limited S. D. Clark (1910 -2003) First Chair of Sociology at University of Toronto. Functionalist focus: How society re-established equilibrium after experiencing disruptions caused by economic change. 6

Functionalism in North America • Talcott Parsons: Best known for identifying how various institutions must work to ensure smooth operation of society as a whole • Robert Merton: Proposed that social structures have manifest and latent functions. Copyright © 2010 Nelson Education Limited 7

Durkheim’s Theory of Suicide Copyright © 2010 Nelson Education Limited 8

Sociological Explanation of Suicide: Durkheim’s Contribution • Émile Durkheim At end of 19 th century, demonstrated suicide rates were strongly influenced by social forces Ø Examined association between rates of suicide and rates of psychological disorder for different groups Ø Found suicide rates and rates of psychological disorder did not vary directly, and often appeared to vary inversely Copyright © 2010 Nelson Education Limited 9

Conflict Theory and Karl Marx • Conflict theory originated in work of Marx • Historical or dialectical materialism Ø Struggle between classes to resist & overcome opposition of other classes • Marx believed workers would become aware of their exploitation (i. e. , develop class consciousness) ü Bring about a SOCIALIST -“communist” society Copyright © 2010 Nelson Education Limited 10

Conflict Theory in North America • C. Wright Mills laid foundations for modern conflict theory in late 1960’s. • 1960 s - with its growing civil unrest - that conflict theory took hold in North America Ø Conflict among classes, nations, races, & generations was the very essence of society Ø Gave rise to important contributions to conflict theory Copyright © 2010 Nelson Education Limited 11

Max Weber SYMBOLIC INTERACTION • Weber noted growth of the service sector of economy, with its many manual workers & professionals • Occupational groups stabilize society because they enjoy higher status • Showed class conflict is not the only driving force of history • Argued politics & religion also are important sources of historical change Copyright © 2010 Nelson Education Limited 12

Symbolic Interactionism • Focuses on interpersonal communication in microlevel social settings • Emphasizes social life is possible only because people attach meanings to things • Stresses people help to create their social circumstances, not merely react to them Copyright © 2010 Nelson Education Limited Erving Goffman (1922 -82) Famous Canadian Symbolic Interactionist. Studied sociology & anthropology at University of Toronto. Renowned for “dramaturgical” approach. 13

Symbolic Interactionism 1. Arose out of influence of Weber, Mead, & Goffman: 2. Weber emphasized importance of Verstehen: 3. Empathetic understanding people’s motives & meanings 4. PEOPLE attach meanings to things to gain a clear sense of the significance of their actions (e. g. , role of Protestant ethic in early capitalist development) Copyright © 2010 Nelson Education Limited 14

Social Constructionism • Is a variant of symbolic interactionism • Argues that when people interact, they typically assume things are naturally or innately what they seem to be…(taken for granted) • Suggests apparently natural or innate features of life are often sustained by social processes that vary historically and culturally Copyright © 2010 Nelson Education Limited 15

Postmodernism • Postmodernism was originally a reaction to modernism. • Influenced by the Western European disillusionment induced by World War II, • Postmodernism tends to refer to a cultural, intellectual, or artistic state lacking a clear central hierarchy or organizing principle.

Postmodernism • Sees social reality as embodying extreme complexity, contradiction, ambiguity, diversity, or inter-referentiality

Feminist Theory • Focuses on various aspects of patriarchy (system of male domination in society) • Suggests male domination is determined by structures of power • Examines operation of patriarchy in both microlevel and macrolevel social settings • Recommends eliminating patterns of gender inequality Copyright © 2010 Nelson Education Limited Margrit Eichler (1942 - ) Chair, Sociology, OISE. Head of Women’s Studies, University of Toronto. Internationally known for work on feminist methodology. 18

Naomi Wolf, The Beauty Myth FEMINIST CONFLICT APPROACH • Two key stages in women’s history: • 1. The Surgical Age- 19 th century • 2 Cosmetic Age- late 20 th century/21 st

Cosmetic Age • NAOMI WOLFE- Linked 19 th, 20 th and 21 stc. 1. CAPITALISM 2. GENDER INEQUALITY 3. HEALTH AND MEDICINE 4. MASS MEDIA

Conflict: IDEAS VS. IDEOLOGY • IDEAS- human thought, innovation, creativity, reflexivity. • IDEOLOGY-a product of material forces, material conditions…

Production vs. Reproduction • FUNCTIONALISTS=argue that human beings reproduce and create for themselves social institutions such as the family. (idealism) • Conflict theorists- argue that human production gives rise to social institutions as society advances the division of labour results in human alienation. (materialism)

Production vs. Reproduction • FUNCTIONALISTS=argue that human beings reproduce and create for themselves social institutions such as the family. (SOCIALIZATION PARADIGM-idealism) • Conflict theorists- argue that human production gives rise to IDEOLOGY-social institutions are ideological and bourgeois. .

Reproduction • FUNCTIONALISTS=argue that human beings reproduce and create for themselves social institutions such as the family. (idealism) • Conflict theorists- argue that human production gives rise to social institutions (ie family) • Conflict theorists believe that as society advances, the division of labour results in human alienation. (materialism)

Marxist Feminists • EVEN romantic love, (family and sexuality) are ideological and tied to the ruling class. • Mass media provide images of desirability, sexuality, gender relations etc. • Women’s role in family, unpaid labour serves the interests of the bourgeoisie.

CONCLUSION • THE SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVEsocial force influence individual behaviour • PARADIGMS-SF, CONFLICT, SI, FEMINISM. . • Paradigms differ on the impact of society on the individual. • Paradigms are key to unlocking parochial and provincial tunnel vision

Suicide Rate by Age and Sex, Canada, 2004 Copyright © 2010 Nelson Education Limited 27

Sociological Explanation of Suicide: Durkheim’s Contribution • Émile Durkheim At end of 19 th century, demonstrated suicide rates were strongly influenced by social forces Ø Examined association between rates of suicide and rates of psychological disorder for different groups Ø Found suicide rates and rates of psychological disorder did not vary directly, and often appeared to vary inversely Copyright © 2010 Nelson Education Limited 28

Durkheim’s Contribution • Durkheim argued suicide rates varied as result of differences in degree of social solidarity in different categories of the population • Social solidarity refers to: - the degree to which group members share beliefs and values; and - the intensity and frequency of their interaction Copyright © 2010 Nelson Education Limited 29

SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE • READ: DURKHEIM, SUICIDE: A STUDY OF SOCIAL FORMS. . • THIS is PURE, SCIENTIFIC, SOCIOLOGY