1. The Sociological Point of View

2. Sociology
the science or study of the origin, development, organization, and functioning of human society; the science of the fundamental laws of social relations, institutions, etc.

3. 1. Sociology – The social science that studies human society and social behavior
2. Social Interaction – how people relate to one another and influence each other’s behavior
3. Social Phenomena – observable facts and events that involve human society

4. Auguste Comte
founder of sociology as a distinct subject (coined the term)
argued that society changes through social dynamics
can use scientific principles to study society
never completed college
ignored other people’s work in order to “keep his mind pure”
Sociologists still study order and change in society

5. Herbert Spencer influenced by Darwin
Believed that society follows a biological model to survive
only the best aspects of society would survive
coined “survival of the fittest”
ignored others’ works who disagreed with him

6. Herbert Spencer
made scientifically unfounded claims and was not careful in his studies
Social Darwinism – only the fittest societies (and best members of those societies) would survive over time, leading to an upgrading of the entire world

7. Karl Marx society is influenced by its economy
believed that society is divided into 2 classes (capitalists and workers)
when there was in imbalance in power, the workers had to unite and overthrow the capitalists and then create a classless society
views led to conflict theory
Influenced many scholars and social critics, but was not accepted by the governments in Europe during his lifetime

8. Emile Durkheim
viewed society as a set of interdependent parts that maintain the system
looked at the functions of elements in society
Function - the consequence that an element of society produces
thought sociologists should only study things that are directly observable
One of the first to apply scientific method to the study of society

9. Max Weber
looked at separate groups within society rather than society as a whole
focused on the effect of society on the individual

10. Max Weber
wanted to uncover the thoughts and feelings of individuals rather than only what is directly observed
Verstehen - an attempt to understand the meanings individuals attach to their actions
Ideal Type – a description comprised of the essential characteristics of a feature of society

11. Theoretical Perspectives
general set of assumptions about the nature of things
outline specific ideas about the nature of social life
Functionalist
Conflict
Interactionist

12. Functionalist Perspective
Based on the ideas of Comte, Spencer and Durkheim
Society is a set of interrelated parts that work together to provide a stable social system, looks at importance of family and education in society
People agree on what is best for society and work together to ensure that the social system run smoothly

13. Functionalist Perspective
Dysfunctional – a negative consequence an element has for the stability of the social system
Eg: crime
Manifest Function – intended/recognized consequence of an element in society
Latent Function – unintended/unrecognized consequence of an element in society

14. Conflict Perspective Based on ideas of Karl Marx
how those in power in society exercise their power over others (especially competition over resources)
Violent and nonviolent competition
looks at decision-making in the family, relationships among racial groups, disputes between employers and workers
Competition over resources = conflict social change

15. Interactionist Perspective
Based on theories of Max Weber
how individuals interact with each other in society, looks at child development, relationships within groups and mate selection

16. Interactionist Perspective
Look at the meaning people place on their actions and the actions of others
Symbol – anything that represents something else (object, gesture, word, event)
Symbolic Interaction – how people use symbols when interacting

17. Your Own Personal Paparazzi

18. Parents and Kids
Conflict
Functionalist
Interactionist

19. Extra Credit Pop Quiz
At your tables, write your names at the top. Then number from 1-7

20. Homework Select a current event
cnn.com, washingtonpost.com, nytimes.com
Read through it! Make sure the article discusses a change to society, not just a person’s opinion.

21. Article Activity As a table, pick an article to read and analyze.
You should have at least 3 examples of how the article can be viewed by the conflict, interactionist and functionalist perspectives.

22. Symbol
Symbolic Interaction
Function
Manifest Function
Latent Function
Dysfunctional
Auguste Comte
Herbert Spencer
Karl Marx
Max Weber
Emile Durkheim
Verstehen
Functionalist Theory
Interactionist Theory
Conflict Theory
Ideal type
Social Darwinism
Charles Darwin
Vocab