Theoretical Perspectives and Methods of Social Research Chapter 2

1. Theoretical Perspectives and Methods of Social ResearchChapter 2 By Dr. John Brenner

2. Mexico used as a focus 1,952 border with U. S. 2,800 Maquiladoras plants with 1 million workers 40% are U.S. owned Americans know little about the country Major source of cheap labor Average workers in Mexico get $2.48 an hour About 4,500 U.S. plants closed due to labor transfer Each country has benefits and losses

3. Mexico Major trend is the transfer of labor-intensive manufacturing out of the U.S. to labor abundant countries Sociological theories and research will help us to understand the impact of the labor transfer A theory is a set of principles and definitions that tell how societies operate Research is fact-gathering and fact-explaining

4. Theoretical Perspectives Theory �framework used to comprehend and explain events Model used to explain something Also called a paradigm Theories inspire research Facts generated through research are meaningless without theory to interpret them

5. Theoretical Perspectives The following theories will all look at the Maquiladora Program Each of the theories will present it�s own angle on a situation We will discuss three of them--functionalist, conflict, and symbolic interaction

6. Functionalist Theory Define society as a system of interrelated parts that are interdependent Just like the human body has parts so does society The parts are family, government, economy, religion and education--found in all societies Each part effects the other parts of the system Theory was first discussed by Herbert Spencer

7. Functionalist Theory People are socialized into the prevailing system Most are unaware of the functions of society Look for stability in the social system and how the parts work together (function) Seen as a conservative theory

8. Functionalist Theory Herbert Gans states that poverty is functional Someone to do the dirty work Take up the slack in times of social change Provide luxuries for the rich--maids, nanny, Guinea Pigs for new medicines and techniques Jobs for people to take care of them Purchase inferior products

9. Functionalist Theory-Critique A conservative theory that defends the existing arrangements Stating that oil spills increase employment Social stability is maintained while some suffer What is a function?--automobiles It was invented and then became functional Connects people and weakens social ties Harms the environment

10. Merton�s Concepts Four parts to functionalism Manifest function--stated or obvious function of something--the intended, expected or recognized function 4th of July celebrations-- Marketing and public relations for city, family and friend�s meetings, and unifies community through a shared experience

11. Maquiladoras--Functionalist System was set up after World War II Bracero Program to help employ Mexican workers during the war Increased economic ties between the countries Called the Border Industrialization Program (BIP) To create jobs for returning Braceros Give U.S. companies access to low wage workers Fill jobs U.S. workers did not want And give more jobs in the Mexican border cities

12. Maquiladoras--Functionalist Maquiladoras (mah-kee-la-doras)--manufacturing operations in Mexico 2,800 in Mexico 90% owned by U.S. or subsidiary company Some are joint U. S./Mexican companies Black and Decker, GTE, Kellogg, Singer, Ford, General Motors, Xerox and Westinghouse

13. Maquiladoras--Functionalist Program works this way: Foreign companies ship tools, machinery, parts to Mexico (no tariff) Workers finish products and ship them back Only a charge on the cost of the worker�s wages Mexican workers do labor-intensive work

14. Merton�s Concepts Latent function-unintended, unrecognized, unanticipated and unpredicted The links between the two nations are obvious 5 million per month people cross San Diego-Tijuana daily Busiest land-border crossings in the world The cities on the borders increase

15. Manifest dysfunctions--expected or anticipated disruptions Job displacements in U.S. Lack of entry level jobs esp. in rural areas Latent dysfunctions--unintended, unanticipated negative disruptions Low wages on both sides of the borders Rapid and unregulated growth of populations Merton�s Concepts

16. Maquiladoras--Functionalist Latent Dysfunction--(unexpected-hidden) problems in one country effects the other, financial crises in Mexico hurt American retail industry on the US side Less Americans get white collar jobs in Mexico as Mexicans gain higher qualifications

17. Maquiladoras--Functionalist Latent dsyfunction--rapid population growth on both sides of the border which has generated large numbers of people living in substandard housing (Colonias) Health-threatening pollution to both countries Loss of American jobs have destroyed small towns in the U.S.

18. Conflict Theory Feels conflict is an inevitable part of life Look at the role of competition in conflict Those who own the means of production use their resources to protect their interests Influenced by Karl Marx Wants to know �Who benefits?� from the system

19. Conflict Theory Bourgeoisie--own the means of production (land, machinery, buildings and technology) and purchase labor Want to expand markets and increase profit Want cheapest labor and raw materials Proletariat-workers who own their labor, are treated like machines by owners, have low skills and are dependent

20. Conflict Theory Fa�ade of legitimacy--explanations used by dominant groups to justify their actions Workers are free to work anywhere when they have no money (capital) so they have to work Employers can fire and lay off workers Blame the victim--poor get blamed for poverty Emphasize less successful benefit from the system (better off here than in Mexico)

21. Conflict Theory--Critique Overemphasizes the tensions and divisions between the top and bottom of society Ignores real contributions of industrialization Owners do not always ignore workers Watchdog and grass route groups are created to watch the actions of the bourgeoisie

22. Conflict Theory Represents a need for profit, Mexican workers sell their labor at low cost, jobs are insecure Fa�ade of legitimacy says that it benefits both US and Mexico but it really exploits the Mexicans who are vulnerable, when Mexican economy falters US investment increases as labor costs decrease

23. Conflict Theory Maquila jobs are insecure, lack of advancement and low wages Jobs are mind-numbing and repetitive US banks make money off of Mexican loans In the US owners can threaten to move to Mexico to keep workers in line

24. Conflict Theory Maquila exploit the environment--only about 1/3 of Mexican laws comply Hazardous waste is not disposed of properly Companies can pull out over night in Mexico Conflict theorists want to know who benefits from the program The owners of production, or capitalists benefit from the Maquila system.

25. Symbolic Interaction How do people define reality through interaction with each other George Herbert Mead, Charles Horton Cooley and Herbert Blumer Concerned with how the self develops, how people attach meanings to things, and how the meanings change through time and interaction

26. Symbolic Interaction Symbol--any kind of physical phenomenon to which people assign a name, meaning or value Symbolic interaction--people use those symbols to communicate and interact with each other People decide what things will mean Society shares a symbol system

27. Symbolic Interaction Interpretation of symbols requires an active process�the purpose of a wedding ring has meaning beyond the actual ring They advocate a down to earth research approach Study human interaction first-hand by immersing one in the social world

28. Symbolic Interaction--Critique Want to know about the origins of symbols, the way the meaning persists, and the situations where people question them First hand and extensive knowledge of the social world Can influence those being observed Ignores �social facts��things outside the individual Can not predict any changes or how meanings actually change Can not account for the social structures and processes larger than the individual

29. Symbolic Interaction--Maquiladoras Program Look at how people on different sides of the border have different meanings Friday the 13th is unlucky in the US while Wednesday the 13th is unlucky in Mexico Americans may stereotype Asians as hard working and Mexicans as unambitious and lazy who are taking siestas under a sombrero

30. Symbolic Interaction--Maquiladoras Program Focus on the interactions among the employees of same and different rank American expatriates rarely have experiences with other cultures and seem ignorant of basic Spanish phrases Culture clashes are quite common

31. Research Methods

32. Step 1-Defining the Topic Means the researcher picks a topic Explains why the topic is significant Clarifies the importance of the topic Explains the motivation of the study May pick a topic due to personal interest, current issues, or because grant money is available

33. Step 2-Reviewing the Literature Researcher reads all the published work on the topic Finds where there is a �missing gap� in the previous research studies Sociologists read sociological journals and books on the topic The researcher must consider the works of other thinkers and how the research verifies, advances and corrects other research

34. Step 3�Core Concepts/Hypothesis Concepts�general ideas about people, places and things (like �family�) Good sociological research begins with the researcher defining the topics of the study Readers know exactly what the author means by �family�, �group�, �social interaction� and so on

35. Step 4-Research Design and Collecting Data Design is a plan for gathering data Methods of collecting data on �populations� Traces�small situations that give data Documents�written items Territories�settings with borders Households�family size Small groups�friends, teams or gangs

36. Step 4-Research Design and Collecting Data Population�the total number of �whatever� that is going to be studied Random sample is a portion of the total population�all have an equal chance A sample is a portion of the population Representative�sample looks like total Sampling frame�complete list of population �usually not possible

37. Step 4-Research Design and Collecting Data Methods of data collection Self-administered questionnaire Interviews�face-to-face or phone Structured�wording set in advance Unstructured�flexible and open-ended

38. Step 4-Research Design and Collecting Data Observations�listening and recording of information on people Nonparticipant�detached observations Participant�joining the group Hawthorne Effect�altering behavior if they know they are being watched Secondary sources�data collected for one reason used for another�census, birth, death records, movies, graffiti, etc

39. Step 4-Research Design and Collecting Data Variable-trait that consists of more than one category Dependent-behavior to be explained Independent-variable that explains or predicts Operational Definitions�clear and precise definitions of how to measure and observe the variables to be studied Allows researchers to duplicate others work Reliability�consistent results Validity�measures what it claims to measure

40. Analyzing Data After getting the information researcher has to determine what it is saying May use graphs, frequency tables, photographs, statistical data charts, and other visual displays of the information

41. Drawing Conclusions Generalizability�using research to make general statements about people and society How does information apply to larger population 3 conditions must be present to explain that the independent variable contributes significantly to the dependent variable

42. Drawing Conclusions 3 conditions 1. independent variable must precede dependent 2. two variables are correlated (from 0-9�positive to negative) Correlation shows the mathematical relationship of change in one and the other Spurious correlation�accidental or coincidental 3. No other variables influenced results

43. Conclusion All three theories offer a different perspective on the same issue No single perspective gives a complete picture of the Maquiladora Program All three perspectives make a contribution to our total understanding of an issue Research helps understand the process