Introduction to Sociology

1. Introduction to Sociology Unit 1

2. What is Science? • Science: The study of various topics using logical progression and experimentation. • Includes: • Natural Sciences • Biology, Anatomy & Physiology, Medicine, etc. • Social Sciences • Psychology • Social Psychology • Sociology • Anthropology • Archaeology • Linguistics • Cultural Anthropology • Human Ecology • Economics • Political Science • Politics • Government

3. Sociological Study • Theory: A set of ideas or relationships studied using scientific research methods • More on this & Research Methods in the next chapter! • The BIG DEBATE in Sociological Research: • Value-Free vs Commitment to Reform

4. Development of Sociology • Historical Events • Exploration of new areas • 18th Century - European Enlightenment • 19th Century - Industrial Revolution • 1825 – French Ministry of Justice report of Justice & Criminal Statistics • 1833 – André Michel Guerry’sMoral Statistics of France • Stability within one city • Variability between cities

5. Chicago School • 1842 – 1st Dr. of Sociology from University of Chicago • University of Chicago became the Chicago School – ULTIMATE Social Science Institution • Founded on the research of… • Robert Park • Lester Ward • George Herbert Mead

6. Auguste Comte • “Father of Sociology” • Coined “Sociology” as a term • Two areas for research: • Social Statistics: Order and stability • Social Dynamics: Reaction to change

7. Auguste Comte • “Father of Sociology” • Coined “Sociology” as a term • Two areas for research: • Social Statistics: Order and stability • Social Dynamics: Reaction to change • 3 Stages of Societal Development • Theological Stage • Metaphysical Stage • Scientific Stage

8. Jeremy Bentham • British lawyer focusing on social reform law • Believed government was just a metaphor for social control • Famous/Inspiring Quote that influenced future sociologists.. • “The community is a fictitious body composed only of its individual members, and thus the interest of the community is no more than the sum of the interest of the individual members who compose it.”

9. Thomas Hobbes • Philosopher focusing on politics • Believed social order comes from a need to escape/avoid conflict • Important question posed: How can people live together and still escape the fear of civil conflict?

10. Major Perspectives of Sociology • 3 Broad Categories of Sociology • Functionalist Perspective • Conflict Perspective • Interactionist Perspective

11. Functionalist Perspective • Core Belief: • The individual parts of a society maintain the society as a whole

12. Functionalist Perspective • Society is seen as: • Stable • Integrated System • Members agree on basic values • Change is disruptive unless slow

13. Functionalist Perspective • Focus of Study: • End consequence, not purpose of change

14. Functionalist Perspective • Types of Functions: • Manifest Function: The intended consequence • Latent Function: An unintended consequence

15. Functionalist Perspective • Major Theorists: • Herbert Spencer • Emile Durkheim • Talcott Parsons • Robert Merton

16. Herbert Spencer • Focus of Study: • Social order • Social change • Major Theory: • Social Darwinism

17. Emile Durkheim • Focus of Study: • Social order • Shared values and beliefs • Religion and ritual • Major Theory: • Causes of Suicide • Egotistic Suicide: Disconnection • Altruistic Suicide: For the good of society • Fatalistic Suicide: Powerlessness • Anomic Suicide: Lack of social order

18. Talcott Parsons • Focus of Study: • Social order • Balance and functions of society • Major Theory: • Equilibrium

19. Robert Merton • Focus of Study: • Function of the pieces of society • Integration of theory and empirical research • Major Theory: • Middle-Range Theory

20. Conflict Perspective • Core Belief: • Change in society is due to conflict between individuals, groups, etc.

21. Conflict Perspective • Society is seen as: • Constantly changing • Permanently in conflict • “Faking it” when apparently in agreement • “Forced” to conform and comply by the powerful

22. Conflict Perspective • Focus of Study: • Conflict among groups leading to change • Tension • Competition • Change • Change can be good or bad!

23. Conflict Perspective • Major Theorists: • Karl Marx • C. Wright Mills • Ralf Dahrendorf • Randall Collins

24. Karl Marx • Focus of Study: • Philosophy • Economics • Political Science • History • Major Theory: • Class Conflict • Strongly Influenced: • Socialism • Communism

25. C. Wright Mills • Focus of Study: • Conflict as a fact of life • Major Theory: • Sociological Imagination: 3 pieces connecting the individual & society • History: Events • Biography: Connections of history & the individual • Social Structure

26. Ralf Dahrendorf • Focus of Study: • Social order • Class designations • Major Theory: • Class Conflict in Industrial Society • Interesting Fact: Lived through Nazi-Germany and was encamped for anti-socialist and anti-Nazi activities

27. Randall Collins • Focus of Study: • Non-Marxist Conflict • Racial Inequality • Violence • Major Theory: • None yet – but he’s still going strong!

28. Interactionist Perspective • Core Belief: • Society is developed on the interactions between the individuals in the society.

29. Interactionist Perspective • Society is seen as: • Ever-changing & evolving • Dependent on the individual • Based on symbolic interaction

30. Interactionist Perspective • Focus of Study: • Individual behavior • Reactions to the behaviors of others • Mechanics of daily life

31. Interactionist Perspective • Major Theorists: • Max Weber • George Herbert Mead • Erving Goffman • George Homans

32. Max Weber • Focus of Study: • Value-Freedom Studies • Social change & religion • Major Theory: • Capitalism

33. George Herbert Mead • Focus of Study: • The individual’s interactions within society • Major Theory: • Founded the perspective of Social Psychology

34. Erving Goffman • Focus of Study: • The individual’s “roles” in society • Major Theory: • Dramaturgical Perspective: Behavior as a performance! • Front Stage: Performing for an audience • Back Stage: Other performers are present, but no audience • Outside: No audience, but aware of potential • Borders: Controlling who has access to the performance

35. George Homans • Focus of Study: • Behavior based on consequences • Major Theory: • Social Exchange Theory

36. Other Theories • Peter Berger • “Debunking” true meaning • Lester Ward • Social progress through sociological knowledge • 1833 book Dynamic Sociology • Stated that a benevolent government, universal education, elimination of class, and freedom of poverty are required for society to progress

37. Other Theories • Robert Park • Believed societies are interactive and dynamic • Started the study of human ecology • George Simmel • Believed in the “free spirit” consumed by socialization to societies’ rules • Posed theory of dialectical tension.

38. Other Theories • W.E.B. DuBois • Human rights activist • 1899 book The Philadelphia Negro analyzed class, race, and social strata in US • Paul Lazarsfeld • Founded Columbia University’s Bureau of Applied Social Research • Studied decision-making processes and influence of mass media • Funded through “unethical” grants

39. Other Theories • Ida Wells-Barnett • Early feminist • Believed societies could not be judged on their claimed principles, but whether their actions match up. • Jane Addams • Founded the Hull House in 1889 – “Teach by example, practice cooperation, and practice social democracy” • Believed class issues could be solved by forcing proximity

40. Related Psychological Theories • Ecological Approach • Classical Conditioning • Operant Conditioning • Social Learning • Moral Development

41. Ecological Approach • Developed by UrieBronfenbrenner • States that development occurs as a result of interactions with the environment. • Based on ecological models of ecosystems • Human development occurs as we try to survive the ecosystem of our world! • Each context that impacts development has its own level in the model.

42. Ecological Approach • Individual: Factors directly impacting the individual. • Sex • Age • Health

43. Ecological Approach • Microsystem: Factors impacting development that are very close or in direct contact with the individual. • Work • School • Family • Peers • Neighborhood • Social Clubs • Religious Institutions

44. Ecological Approach • Mesosystem: Provides a link between each of the individual Microsystem factors. • Ex: When you work 40 hours a week it impacts your ability to study for classes, etc.

45. Ecological Approach • Exosystem: Factors impacting development that directly impact the Microsystem, but may not directly contact the Individual. • Neighbors • Friends of Family • Mass Media • Social Welfare • Politics • Schools • Medical Institutions

46. Ecological Approach • Macrosystem: Factors impacting development that directly impact the other systems, but do not have direct contact with the Individual. The individual may not be able to affect this level even if they try. • Culture • Societal Values • Customs • Laws • Government

47. Ecological Approach • Chronosystem: This level considers the impact of time and major life events on the individual. • Births • Deaths • Marriage • Divorce • Job Changes • Moving • Sociocultural Changes with time (ex. WOMEN in the work force!)

48. Classical Conditioning • Discovered by Ivan Pavlov when studying digestion and salivation in dogs. • This theory applies to things that are already reflexive or innate behaviors. • The Discovery: • Morning routine: Enter room, turn on lights, feed dogs. • Expected pattern: Lights go on, food goes down, dogs start drooling. • Unexpected discovery: After a few weeks, the dogs began to drool when the lights came on!

49. Classical Conditioning

50. Operant Conditioning • Developed by B.F. Skinner, who believed that Classical Conditioning was correct, but that behavior was not solely reflexive. • Behavior is a learned response, based on the consequences of previous behaviors.