1. The Sociological Point of View
Chapter One

2. Purpose
To better understand human society, sociologists study how humans interact with each other.

3. Section 1
Examining Social Life

4. Introduction
The primary interest of sociologists is the combination of
The diversity of society/difference in how people view a certain subject
example: religion is a personal choice
The shared characteristics and ideas of society
example: crime is wrong

5. Math Problems For psychology, we had a math problem:
PSYCHOLOGY = thoughts + behaviors
We have one for sociology too:
SOCIOLOGY = human society + social behavior

6. The Sociological Perspective
Definition: look at social life in a scientific systematic way, rather than depending on common-sense explanations

7. Purpose of developing
See a connection between you and society
Broaden your view of the social world
Learn there are many views of social reality
Sociological Imagination: the ability to make a connection between your personal life and the larger world

8. Sociology’s Place in the Social Sciences
Remember, the Social Sciences include: sociology, psychology, anthropology, history, economics, and political science

9. Section 2
History of Sociology

10. A Historical Timeline Developed as a separate study in the late 1800s
Due to the Industrial Revolution and the many social changes due to urbanization
The Early Years—primarily in France, Germany, and England

11. August Comte: France,
Considered the father of sociology; he coined the name sociology
Intrigued by the causes and consequences of the French Revolution
Focused on social order and social change
Said social statics hold society together and social dynamics were the ways society changed
Never completed his college education

12. Herbert Spencer: England, 1820-1903
Pursued a study of sociology after inheriting enough money to quit working
Social Darwinism—coined the phrase survival of the fittest to refer to the similarities between societies and biological systems

13. Karl Marx: Germany,
Could never hold a job for long because of his revolutionary and radical ideas
Felt society was influenced by its economy and two groups—the proletariat (workers) and the bourgeoisie (capitalists/owners)
His views led to the development of conflict theory

14. Emile Durkheim: France, 1858-1917
Developed the first college sociology course in France
Focused only on observable phenomena
Organized the first sociological study—Suicide, 1897

15. Max Weber: Germany, 1864-1920 Looked at separate groups in society
Verstehen: put yourself in someone else’s shoes
Employed the concept of ideal type—the basic components of features of society

16. The American Sociological Association (ASA)
Firsts
College Class: University of Kansas, 1889
College Department: University of Chicago, 1892
Organization: 1905
Growth
115 members in 1906
Over 14,000 members today

17. Current Perspectives
Remember, a perspective is just an idea

18. Functionalist Perspective
Based on the ideas of Comte, Spencer, and Durkheim
View society as a set of interrelated parts that work together to ensure the social system runs smoothly
Functions—positive consequences for society
Manifest Function: the intended consequence
Latent Function: the unintended consequence

19. Conflict Perspective
Focus on the forces in society that promote competition and change; can be violent or non-violent
Competition over scarce resources (like money) is at the basis of social conflict

20. Interactionist Perspective
Focus is on how individuals interact with one another in society
Look at the role of symbols in our daily lives