Sociology: Your Compass for a New World Robert J. Brym and John Lie Wadsworth/Thomson Learning © 2003

A Sociological Compass Chapter 1

Social Structure I WDurkheim showed that even apparently nonsocial and antisocial actions are influenced by social structures. WA social structure is a relatively stable pattern of social relations.

Social Structure II WFor example, levels of social solidarity affect suicide rates. WSocial solidarity refers to: W the degree to which group members share beliefs and values; and W the intensity and frequency of their interaction.

Durkheim’s Theory of Suicide Social solidarity High Low Suicide frequency Low High anomic suicide altruistic suicide

Suicide Rate by Sex and Age Cohort, U.S.A., 1997 (per 100,000 people) Rate per 100,000 Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (1999c). Group

Social Structure III WSociologists analyze how three levels of social structure affect human action: Wmicrostructures (patterns of intimate social relations formed during face-to-face interaction) Wmacrostructures (patterns of social relations outside and above one’s circle of intimates and acquaintances) Wglobal structures (patterns of social relations outside and above the national level)

Foreign Aid, Debt, and Interest Payments of Developing Countries, 1992 and 1997 (in $ U.S. billions) $ U.S. Billions Year Sources: World Bank (1999a; 1999b). Aid as percent of interest: 55.7% Aid as percent of interest: 32.5%

Theory, Research, and Value WTheory: a tentative explanation of some aspect of social life stating how and why specific facts are connected. WResearch: the process of carefully observing social reality to test the validity of a theory. WValues: ideas of right and wrong.

Sociology’s Four Main Theoretical Traditions WFunctionalism: How is social order supported by macrostructures? WConflict theory: How is social inequality is maintained and challenged? WSymbolic interactionism: How do people create meaning when they communicate in microlevel settings? WFeminism: What are the social sources of patriarchy in both macro and micro settings?

Three Revolutions Gave Rise to Sociology WThe Scientific Revolution encouraged the view that conclusions about the workings of society must be based on evidence, not just speculation. WThe Industrial Revolution created social problems that attracted the attention of social thinkers. WThe Democratic Revolution suggested people are responsible for organizing society and human intervention can therefore solve social problems.

The Postindustrial Revolution WThe Postindustrial Revolution is the technology-driven shift from manufacturing to service industries and the consequences of that shift for virtually all human activities. WThe causes and consequences of postindustrialism form the great sociological puzzles of our time.

The Main Issues of Postindustrialism WThe main unresolved tensions of the postindustrial era are between Wequality and inequality of opportunity Windividual freedom and constraint

A Sociological Compass EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY FREEDOM INEQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY CONSTRAINT