Sociology An introduction

Sociology Sociology The study of society. A sociologist systematically studies social behavior in human groups looking for patterns. They use social facts to explain patterns. Examples include sporting events, crime patterns, marriage rates, and religious affiliation.

Sociological Imagination A way of looking at the world that sees the connections among the seemingly private concerns of individuals and important social issues.

Social Sciences A group of related disciplines that study various aspects of society and human relations.

Sociological Perspectives Theoretical Perspectives

Functionalist Perspective Point of view in sociology that emphasizes stable, inter-related social structures each meeting social needs. They understand that at any given time some parts do not work well. Dysfunction- Something that inhibits or disrupts the working of the system of a whole. Societies must develop ways to contain dysfunctions.

Manifest Functions vs. Latent Functions Apparent and conscious. Example would be teaching academics in schools. Latent Functions Unconscious, unintended, or hidden. Example would be the education system being a forum for passing on mainstream culture and uniting people to core values. The hidden curriculum of school

Conflict Perspective Concentrates on aspects of society that encourage competition and change. This social conflict primarily exists due to competition over limited resources.

Interactionist Perspective Study the ways individuals respond to each other. Only perspective that does not analyze entire society. Emphasizes the role of symbols in daily life. Symbols are something that stands for or represents something else. Observe and record the intentions and meaning conveyed by individual actions.

Key figures in Sociology

Auguste Comte Founder of positivism a theory that theology and metaphysics are earlier imperfect modes of knowledge and that positive knowledge is based on natural phenomena and their properties and relations as verified by the empirical sciences Inspired to study what he would call Sociology by events surrounding the French Revolution (1789). Observed the rise and fall of Napolean. Wanted to use the discipline of Sociology for the common good.

Comte: Order and Change Believed Sociology should concern itself with two basic problems: Order and Change Order- What forces bring order to a Society Change- What forces bring change?

Harriet Martineau Early sociologist who promoted active involvement in solutions to social issues, differing from other sociologists. She believed scholars and intellectuals should advocate change.

Herbert Spencer After studying the nature of social change and trying to figure out who will become rich and who will become poor, Spencer felt that Darwin’s theory of natural selection applied. He believed society would be “survival of the fittest” and that the individual’s least suited to their environments are weak and will die out. (Social Darwinism)

Karl Marx Developed the idea of Communist Marxism. Wrote the Communist Manifesto Felt in capitalism the workers suffered and forces businesses to pay workers as little as possible. Advocated that capitalism will die out and inequalities among all members of society would be removed. Bourgeoisie own the means of production Proletarian are the workers “Religion is the opiate of the masses”

Max Weber Focused interest on the interactions of society and the individual. Developed the concept of Ideal Type which is a model that can be used to measure reality. The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism

The Scientific Method The method to ensure that sociologists research accurately describes an aspect of society.

Steps in the scientific method Define the problem. Review the literature Formulate a hypothesis A prediction about the relationship between two or more factors. Example: the more population density, the more people in the same area, the more crime exists. Variable- Measurable traits that change under different conditions. Researchers often predict that a change in one variable (independent) will cause a change in another (dependent). Research Plan and Collect Data Analysis and Conclusion To work and be accurate, the study must be ethical. Ethics The principles of conduct concerning what is moral and right.