The Sociological Perspective Chapter 1

Sociology as a Point of View  Sociology is concerned with the scientific study of human organization and social interactions.  Seeks to understand: What is the nature of the individual, and what are the capacities of the individual to act in the context of society? What is the nature of the individual, and what are the capacities of the individual to act in the context of society? what is it that holds societies together? what is it that holds societies together? What are the circumstances or conditions under which societies change? What are the circumstances or conditions under which societies change?

Development of Sociology  Sociology emerged as a separate field of study in Europe during the 19 th century During this period, the social order was shaken by the Industrial Revolution and the American and French Revolutions. During this period, the social order was shaken by the Industrial Revolution and the American and French Revolutions.

Sociology in the 19th Century  Three scholars shaped sociology into a relatively coherent discipline: Karl Marx Karl Marx Émile Durkheim Émile Durkheim Max Weber Max Weber  Their ideas were greatly shaped by industrialization, capitalism, and socio-political revolutions

Karl Marx (1818–1883)  Believed the history of human societies could be seen as the history of class conflict between: The bourgeoisie, who own and control the means of production, and The bourgeoisie, who own and control the means of production, and The proletariat, who make up the mass of workers. The proletariat, who make up the mass of workers. A critique of capitalism (unequal playing field) A critique of capitalism (unequal playing field)

Karl Marx (1818–1883)  Marx believed that the starting point for the analysis of any society should be two questions about inequality: First, who takes possession of surplus? First, who takes possession of surplus? What means do they use to do so? What means do they use to do so?

Émile Durkheim (1858–1917)  Believed that individuals were the product of their social environment, and that society shapes people in every possible way What makes an American different from a French or an Italian?What makes an American different from a French or an Italian? Showed how a personal act, such as suicide is really patterned by social forces Showed how a personal act, such as suicide is really patterned by social forces Differences in suicide according to religious practicesDifferences in suicide according to religious practices Differences in suicide according to group solidarityDifferences in suicide according to group solidarity

Durkheim’s Three Types of Suicide  Egoistic suicide - derives from loneliness and a commitment to personal beliefs over group values single people, protestants who overemphasize individualism single people, protestants who overemphasize individualism  Altruistic suicide - the individual is willing to die for the sake of the community Kamikaze pilots, suicide bombers Kamikaze pilots, suicide bombers  Anomic suicide - results from feeling disconnected from society’s values Depression Depression

Suicide in the United States  Social factors: Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death for 15- to 24-year-olds. Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death for 15- to 24-year-olds. Older adults account for 20% of suicide deaths, but only 13% of the overall U.S. population. Older adults account for 20% of suicide deaths, but only 13% of the overall U.S. population. Suicide rates for Native Americans are 1.5 times the national rates. Suicide rates for Native Americans are 1.5 times the national rates.

Contemporary Sociology  What is a theory? A theory is a systematic explanation for the observations related to a particular aspect of life. A theory is a systematic explanation for the observations related to a particular aspect of life.

Three Major Sociological Theories FunctionalistConflict Symbolic Interactionist

Conflict Theory The social order consists of groups and individuals trying to advance their own interests over others. In this sense, you could explain things like poverty, politics, discrimination and sexism as the result of conflict between those who have power and wealth over those who do not.

Functionalism  Views society as a system of highly interrelated structures or parts that function or operate together harmoniously Society benefits from the contributions of people to function and survive Society benefits from the contributions of people to function and survive Just like an organism has parts such as a heart, lungs, a liver,or a kidney (which contribute to its survival), society has policemen, firefighters, teachers, or bankers to contribute to its own survival. Just like an organism has parts such as a heart, lungs, a liver,or a kidney (which contribute to its survival), society has policemen, firefighters, teachers, or bankers to contribute to its own survival. If a behavior, belief, or arrangement exists in society it must contribute in one way or another for society If a behavior, belief, or arrangement exists in society it must contribute in one way or another for society

Symbolic Interactionism  Concerned with the meaning that people place on their own and one another’s behavior. If a certain behavior is becomes defined as prestigious, people will do it If a certain behavior is becomes defined as prestigious, people will do it Crime and deviance can be understood from the individual reasoning of deviants and the specific situations in which they participate Crime and deviance can be understood from the individual reasoning of deviants and the specific situations in which they participate Chicago bank robbersChicago bank robbers