1. Thinking Sociologically
Chapter 2
Thinking Sociologically
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2. Giants of Classical Sociological Theory
Karl Marx ( ; German)
Theorists have built on his work and others have created theories opposing his work.
Macro-theorist who focused on the structure of capitalist society
Defined capitalism as an economic system based on the capitalists (the owners of the means of production) exploiting the proletariat (the workers)
Figure 2.1
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3. Giants of Classical Sociological Theory
Max Weber ( ; German)
Best known for his work The Protestant Work Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism.
Protestantism, especially Calvinism, led to the rise of capitalism in the West and not in other areas of the world.
Was also interested on the process of rationalization in many sectors of society.
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4. Giants of Classical Sociological Theory
Emile Durkheim ( ; French)
Macro-theorist whose major concern was social facts, such as social structures and cultural norms and values, that impose themselves on people
Called the shared beliefs of a society the collective conscience
Wrote the book Suicide in which he stated that the cause of suicide was not to be found within individuals, but rather in social factors
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5. Other Important Early Theorists
Georg Simmel ( ; German)
Interested in the forms taken by social interaction and the types of people who engage on interaction
W.E.B. Du Bois ( ; American)
Pioneering researcher who was crucial to the later focus of sociology on race
Thorstein Veblen ( ; American)
Main concern was the way the upper classes show off their wealth (what he called “Conspicuous Consumption”)
Checkpoint 2.1
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6. Contemporary Sociological Theory: Structural/Functional Theories
Structural-Functionalism
Examines both social structures and their functions.
The dominant view is that if certain structures exist they provide a function.
Manifest functions are positive consequences that are purposely brought about.
Latent functions are unintended positive consequences.
Dysfunctions negatively affect the ability of a given system to survive.
Table 2.1
Table 2.2
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7. Contemporary Sociological Theory: Structural/Functional Theories
Structuralism
Focuses on structures but is not concerned with their functions.
Interested in the social impact of hidden or underlying structures (for example, gender relations).
Debunking is the idea that visible social structures are mere facades.
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8. Contemporary Sociological Theory: Conflict/Critical Theories
Conflict Theory
Focus is on what is negative about society.
Society is held together by coercion.
Conflict theorists see dissension and tension and struggle everywhere.
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9. Contemporary Sociological Theory: Conflict/Critical Theories
Critical Theory
Focuses on the culture of a society, particularly the culture industry and mass culture
Two elements of the culture industry are of concern:
Falseness (true culture should emanate from the people)
Repressiveness (mass culture pacifies and stupefies the masses)
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10. Contemporary Sociological Theory: Conflict/Critical Theories
Feminist Theory
Is critical of the social situation facing women
Offers ideas on how women’s situations can be bettered
The majority of feminist scholars argue that gender differences are socially constructed (not biologically determined).
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11. Contemporary Sociological Theory: Conflict/Critical Theories
Feminist Theory
Women face extraordinary problems related to gender inequality, so extraordinary solutions are necessary.
Some feminist theorists suggest social structure and institutions need to be changed to be more inclusive of women.
Other feminist theorists argue that those very institutions need to be deconstructed and rebuilt.
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12. Contemporary Sociological Theory: Conflict/Critical Theories
Queer Theory
Based on the idea that there are no fixed and stable identities that determine who we are
Advocates believe that modern Western culture cannot be understood without critiquing modern definitions of homosexuality and heterosexuality.
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13. Contemporary Sociological Theory: Conflict/Critical Theories
Queer Theory
The focus is not on homosexuality itself but the dynamics between heterosexuals and homosexuals.
In the early phases of development
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14. Contemporary Sociological Theory: Conflict/Critical Theories
Critical Theories of Race and Racism
Race matters globally and racism adversely affects people of color.
Argue that color blindness ignores the unique experiences of racial minorities and that color blindness is the new racism
Intersectionality is the idea that racism cannot be considered in isolation.
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15. Contemporary Sociological Theory: Conflict/Critical Theories
Postmodern Theory
Postmodernity is the state of society beyond the modern era.
Postmodernity states that the world is nonrational or even irrational.
Postmodernity is characterized by eclecticism.
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16. Contemporary Sociological Theory: Conflict/Critical Theories
Postmodern Theory
Postmodernism is the emergence of new and different cultural forms in music, movies, art, architecture, etc.
Postmodern theory is a theoretical orientation that is a reaction against modern theory.
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17. Contemporary Sociological Theory: Inter/actionist Theories
Symbolic Interactionism
Concerned with the interaction of two or more people through the use of symbols
Symbols allow the communication of meaning among a group of people.
Interested in how various aspects of identity are created and sustained through social interaction
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18. Contemporary Sociological Theory: Inter/actionist Theories
Ethnomethodology
The focus is on what people do, rather than what they think.
Regard people’s lives and social worlds as practical accomplishments that are extraordinary
Many ethnomethodologists study conversations.
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19. Contemporary Sociological Theory: Inter/actionist Theories
Exchange Theory
Interested in behavior and the rewards and costs associated with it
Interested in social behavior that involves tangible and intangible exchanges
Through these interactions people are seen as rational profit seekers.
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20. Contemporary Sociological Theory: Inter/actionist Theories
Rational Choice Theory
The basic principle is that people act intentionally in order to achieve basic goals.
People choose how to achieve goals on the basis of utility.
Understands that people do not always act rationally, but these are deviations from the norm
Checkpoint 2.2
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