CHAPTER 1 The Sociological Point of View

1. CHAPTER 1The Sociological Point of View Section 1: Examining Social Life Section 2: Sociology: Then and Now

2. Section 1: Examining Social Life Objectives: • Describe what sociology is and explain what it means to have a sociological imagination. • Explain how sociology is similar to and different from other social sciences.

3. Section 1: Examining Social Life Sociology and a Sociological Imagination • Sociology is the social science that studies human society and social behavior • A sociological imaginationis the ability to see the connection between the larger world and one’s personal life

4. Section 1: Examining Social Life Comparing Sociology to Other Social Sciences • SIMILAR: examines relations between society and culture, individual economics, politics, and past events which are all the focus of one or more of the social sciences. (Psychology, History, Economics) • DIFFERENT:Sociologists are mainly interested in social interaction and tend to focus on the group rather than the individual.

5. SECTION 1 Examining Social Life Question: What does it mean to have a sociological imagination?

6. SECTION 1 Examining Social Life Answer: Sociological imagination means having ability to see the connection between the larger world and one’s personal life.

7. SECTION 1 Illustration Illustration Examining Social Life SOCIOLOGICAL IMAGINATION

8. Section 2: Sociology: Then and Now Objectives: • Describe how the field of sociology developed. • Explain how the focuses of the three main theoretical perspectives in sociology differ.

9. Section 2: Sociology: Then and Now The Development of Sociology • Rapid social and political changes that took place in Europe as a result of the Industrial Revolution • Rapid growth of urban populations produced a multitude of social problems • Over time, became more difficult to ignore the effect of society on the individual • Sweeping political, social, and economic changes caused some scholars to question the traditional explanations of life and attempted to prove their beliefs using a variety of methods

10. Section 2: Sociology: Then and Now Three Main Theoretical Perspectives Differ in Focus • FUNCTIONALISTS – see society as a set of interrelated parts that work together to produce a stable social system; focus on functions and dysfunctions • CONFLICT THEORISTS– focus on forces in society that promote competition and change; see social change as an inevitable feature of society • INTERACTIONISTS – focus on how individuals interact in society and on the meaning individuals attach to their own and to other’s actions

11. SECTION 2 Sociology: Then and Now Question: How do the three main theoretical perspectives in sociology differ in their focus?

12. SECTION 2 Sociology: Then and Now Answer: FUNCTIONALISTSfocus on functions and dysfunctions CONFLICT THEORISTSfocus on forces that promote competition INTERACTIONISTS– focus on how individuals interact in society

13. SECTION 2 Functionalists THREE SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES THREE SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES Conflict Theorists Interactionists Sociology: Then and Now see society as a set of interrelated parts that work together to produce a stable social system; focus on functions and dysfunctions focus of forces in society that promote competition and change; see social change as an inevitable feature of society focus on how individuals interact in society and on the meanings individuals attach to their own and others’ actions

14. CHAPTER 1 Chapter Wrap-Up • 1. What is the main focus of sociology? • 2. What does it mean to have a sociological imagination? • 3. What are the differences between sociology and other social sciences? • 4. Identify the major early sociologists. (3) • 5. What are the three main theoretical perspectives in sociology, and which of the founders of sociology is connected to which perspective?