1. The Sociological Perspective

2. How much influence do groups have on your life?
Some
Little
None

3. The study of human behavior and social structure
What is Sociology?
The study of human behavior and social structure

4. A particular point of view ex. babies
What is a perspective?
A particular point of view ex. babies

7. What is the sociological perspective?
Sociologists always focus on the group, not the individual

8. Is it important to examine behavior on a group level?
Very Important
Somewhat
Not very important
Not important at all

9. Sociologists generally look for patterns in society

10. Social structure - The patterned interaction of people in social relationships

11. Sociologists are interested in group behavior
Sociologists are interested in group behavior. They will examine behavior of individuals in terms of the roles they have in the group.

12. All groups encourage conformity. Does the size of the group matter?

13. What does the sociological imagination help us do?
Ability of individuals to see the relationship between events in their personal lives and events in their society

14. Why is the sociological imagination important?
It helps us to question the world around us

15. People with Sociological Imagination ask themselves 3 questions:
What is the structure of this society?
How is it different from the past and how will it be in the future?
How does society influence people?

16. Theoretical Perspectives
(Think of the babies)

17. As you have grown older, has your perspective of school changed?
Much
A Little
Not at All

18. Is it important to have different perspectives?
Yes No
Depends on the situation

33. What is a theoretical perspective?
A set of assumptions about the workings of society

34. Functionalist Perspective
Emphasizes the contributions of all parts of society
Economy
Family
Religion

35. Functionalist Perspective
A change in one part of society leads to a change in another
Society seeks stability

36. Functionalist Perspective
Two functions
manifest
latent
Intended consequence of society
unintended consequence of society

37. Emphasizes conflict, competition, and change
Conflict Perspective
Emphasizes conflict, competition, and change
Is based on a contest for power

38. Which of the following do you feel is most associated with power?
Wealth
Prestige
Ideas
Physical ability

39. Believe that those with power have the most privileges
Conflict Perspective
Believe that those with power have the most privileges
The powerful control the powerless

40. Symbolic Interactionism
Focuses on the interaction among people
Places a lot of emphasis on symbols in society (ex. Traffic lights, language)

41. Symbolic Interactionism
We learn the meaning of symbols by watching others react to it
We base our behavior on those symbols

42. Symbolic Interactionism
Dramaturgy – human interaction as a theatrical performance