1. Chapter 1: The Sociological Point of View Section 2 – Sociology: Then and Now Section 2 – Sociology: Then and Now In this section you will learn about early leaders in sociology and about the 3 main schools of thought for studying sociology. In this section you will learn about early leaders in sociology and about the 3 main schools of thought for studying sociology.

2. The Development of Sociology The 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

3. The Development of Sociology Over time, it became difficult to ignore the effects 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

4. The Early Years As stated, sociology began to take shape in the 1800s, as a result of the Industrial Revolution. As stated, sociology began to take shape in the 1800s, as a result of the Industrial Revolution. Auguste Comte was on of the originators. He attempted to apply the methods of scientific research to the study of society. Auguste Comte was on of the originators. He attempted to apply the methods of scientific research to the study of society.

5. The Early Years Comte is considered the founder of sociology. Comte is considered the founder of sociology. Comte focused on social order and social change Comte focused on social order and social change Social order (Static) holds society together Social order (Static) holds society together Social change (Dynamic) – society changes through social processes Social change (Dynamic) – society changes through social processes He also practiced “cerebral hygiene”, where he did not recognize the writings of people that did not agree with his views He also practiced “cerebral hygiene”, where he did not recognize the writings of people that did not agree with his views

6. The Early Years Herbert Spencer view of society became know as social Darwinism. Herbert Spencer view of society became know as social Darwinism. Only the fittest societies would survive over time. Only the fittest societies would survive over time. He adapted ideas of evolution, which Charles Darwin developed in his study The Origin of Species, and applied them to the function of society He adapted ideas of evolution, which Charles Darwin developed in his study The Origin of Species, and applied them to the function of society

7. Policies and actions formed based on social Darwinistic beliefs; whereas others used it to advocate the need for the wealthy to help the poor

8. What might be some arguments against the theory of social Darwinism? What might be some arguments against the theory of social Darwinism? Poor people have gone on to achieve success or the positive social results of programs to help disadvantaged groups Poor people have gone on to achieve success or the positive social results of programs to help disadvantaged groups

9. The Early Years Karl Marx’s writings were a major impetus/drive for the Russian Revolution in 1917. The communist party was established based on Marxist teachings. Karl Marx’s writings were a major impetus/drive for the Russian Revolution in 1917. The communist party was established based on Marxist teachings. 2 Classes 2 Classes bourgeoisie – capitalist > owned the means of production bourgeoisie – capitalist > owned the means of production Proletariat – workers > own nothing & provide labor Proletariat – workers > own nothing & provide labor Marx believed this imbalance would lead to CONFLICT. His view lead to the development of conflict theoryMarx believed this imbalance would lead to CONFLICT. His view lead to the development of conflict theory

10. Russian Revolution Marx believed that conflict causes social change Marx believed that conflict causes social change

11. The Early Years Emile Durkheim believed in social order, much like Auguste Comte Emile Durkheim believed in social order, much like Auguste Comte Similar to Herbert Spencer, he thought interdependent parts maintain the system (society) throughout time. Similar to Herbert Spencer, he thought interdependent parts maintain the system (society) throughout time. Durkheim viewed those parts as functions Durkheim viewed those parts as functions A function is the outcome that an element of society produces for the maintenance of its social system. A function is the outcome that an element of society produces for the maintenance of its social system. Durkheim thought sociologists should only study measurables (objectable phenomena) to obtain statistical analysis Durkheim thought sociologists should only study measurables (objectable phenomena) to obtain statistical analysis

12. The Early Years Max Weber separated groups in society not the society as a whole. He studied the effects of society on the individual Max Weber separated groups in society not the society as a whole. He studied the effects of society on the individual Weber established the principle Verstehen Weber established the principle Verstehen Understand meanings people put to their actions. The “why I did it” understanding Understand meanings people put to their actions. The “why I did it” understanding He wanted to see things through someone else’s eyes He wanted to see things through someone else’s eyes

13. Current Perspectives Theory – explanation of the relationships among particular phenomena (what do I think?) Theory – explanation of the relationships among particular phenomena (what do I think?) Theoretical perspectives is a set of assumptions about the nature of things (outlines ideas about the nature of social life) Theoretical perspectives is a set of assumptions about the nature of things (outlines ideas about the nature of social life)

14. 3 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 FUNCTIONALISTS – see society as a set of interrelated parts that work together to produce a stable social system; focus on functions and dysfunctions Dysfunctional – disrupt society rather than stabilize it (crime) Dysfunctional – disrupt society rather than stabilize it (crime) Manifest function – expected consequence of an element in society (planes, get you places fast) Manifest function – expected consequence of an element in society (planes, get you places fast) Latent function – unexpected consequence (nice cars attract pretty girls) Latent function – unexpected consequence (nice cars attract pretty girls)

15. Functions Apply latent and manifest functions to the purpose of schools. Apply latent and manifest functions to the purpose of schools. Manifest function – educate youth Manifest function – educate youth Latent function – socialize students, teach teamwork and cooperation, and teach societal values such as honesty Latent function – socialize students, teach teamwork and cooperation, and teach societal values such as honesty

16. Three Main Theoretical Perspectives Differ in Focus CONFLICT THEORISTS – focus on forces in society that promote competition and change; see social change as an inevitable feature of society How does a labor strict represent a conflict? It represents conflict between workers and employers

17. Three Main Theoretical Perspectives Differ in Focus INTERACTIONISTS – focus on how individuals interact in society and on the meanings individuals attach to their own and to other’s actions - symbols – anything that represents something else - symbolic interaction – the use of symbols when interacting - Popular in the US - Used to study child development, relationships between groups, and mate selection

18. Early Sociologist Topic of Interest Theoretical Approach Comte Social order and social change Functionalist Spencer Social Darwinism Functionalist Durkheim Function of different elements of society in maintaining social order Functionalist Marx Social effects of economic power imbalance and class conflict Conflict Weber Effects of society on the individual and the meanings individuals attach to their actions Interactionist