1. 1 The Sociological Perspective
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2. Chapter Outline What Is Sociology? The Sociological Perspective
The Significance of Diversity
The Development of Sociological Theory
Theoretical Frameworks in Sociology
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3. What Is Sociology?
Sociology is a scientific way of thinking about society and its influence on human groups.
It is an empirical discipline.
Its conclusions are based on careful and systematic observations.
Observation, reasoning, and logical analysis are the tools of sociologists, coupled with knowledge of the large body of theoretical and analytical work.
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4. The Sociological Perspective (slide 1 of 4)
Wright Mills coined the term “sociological imagination.”
The ability to see the societal patterns that influence the individual as well as groups of individuals.
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5. The Sociological Perspective (slide 2 of 4)
The ability to look at what people are doing and develop an understanding of the society in which they live, thrive, and die.
Throughout this class, you will begin to develop your own sociological imagination.
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6. The Sociological Perspective (slide 3 of 4)
Social structure may be defined as the organized pattern of social relationships and social institutions that together constitute society.
Social institutions are the established and organized systems of social behavior with a particular and recognized purpose.
The family, religion, marriage, government, and the economy are examples of major social institutions.
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7. The Sociological Perspective (slide 4 of 4)
Troubles are privately felt problems that spring from events or feelings in a person’s life.
Issues affect large numbers of people and have their origins in the institutional arrangements and history of a society.
Issues shape the context within which troubles arise.
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8. Debunking
Sociologists find it crucial to examine the most controversial topics.
Peter Berger calls this process debunking.
Debunking refers to looking behind the facades of everyday life.
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Cultural practices that seem bizarre to outsiders may be
taken for granted or defined as appropriate by insiders.
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9. The Significance of Diversity (slide 1 of 2)
Diversity is a central theme studied by sociologists.
Diversity is an important issue in any society, particularly in the United States.
Racial and ethnic minority groups currently comprise 27% of those living in this country.
This percent continues to steadily increase.
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10. The Significance of Diversity (slide 2 of 2)
Diversity is a broad concept that includes:
studying differences in opportunities available to various groups in society
the shaping of social institutions by different social factors
the formation of group and individual identity
the process of social change
Diversity includes the study of different cultural orientations.
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11. Defining Diversity
Understanding diversity is crucial to understanding society.
Patterns of social change and social structures are patterned by diverse group experiences.
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In an increasingly diverse society, valuing and understanding
diversity is a part of fully understanding society. 17
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12. Society in Global Perspective (slide 1 of 2)
It is impossible to understand today’s societies without seeing them in a global context.
The social and economic systems of every society are intertwined with those of other nations.
Mass media, the Internet, and ease of travel continue make societies more interconnected.
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13. Society in Global Perspective (slide 2 of 2)
We are no long a country separated by geographic boundaries.
We can communicate with almost anyone in the world in minutes.
We can travel to the other side of the globe in hours.
A natural disaster in one region of the globe has widespread effects on all other nations.
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14. The Development of Sociological Theory
The Influence of the Enlightenment
Observation and reason replaced a belief in the supernatural causes of events.
Alexis de Tocqueville: felt that despite the individualism of Americans, they had little independence of mind.
Auguste Comte: coined the phase “sociology.”
He believed that society could be studied scientifically. This approach is known as positivism.
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15. Sociological Theory (slide 1 of 3)
Harriet Martineau wrote about how to observe behavior as a participant.
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Emile Durkheim focused on the forces that hold society together in moral cohesion.
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16. Sociological Theory (slide 2 of 3)
Karl Marx saw social class as a fundamental dimension of society that shapes social behavior.
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Max Weber was concerned with ideas and how they shaped society.
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17. Sociological Theory (slide 3 of 3)
Jane Addams developed housing projects for immigrants, slum dwellers, and other dispossessed groups.
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W. E. B. DuBois was deeply troubled by the racial divisiveness in society.
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18. Functionalism
Functionalism interprets each part of society in terms of how it contributes to the stability of the whole.
Conflict theory sees society as organized around the unequal distribution of resources and held together through power and coercion.
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19. Conflict Theory
Conflict theory sees society as organized around the unequal distribution of resources and held together through power and coercion.
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20. Symbolic Interaction
Symbolic interaction theory emphasizes the role of individuals in giving meaning to social behavior, thereby creating society.
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21. Feminist Theory
Feminist theory is the analysis of women and men in society and is intended to improve women’s lives.
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22. Chapter Summary What is sociology? What is debunking?
Why is diversity central to the study of sociology?
When and how did sociology emerge as a field of study?
What are some of the basic insights of classical sociological theory?
What are the major theoretical frameworks in sociology?
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23. Question 1 Sociology is: the study of human instinctual behavior.
a scientific way of thinking about society and its influence on human groups.
the only science which provides insight into human behavior.
the study and analysis of individual behavior.
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24. Answer 1
a scientific way of thinking about society and its influence on human groups.
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25. Question 2 According to C. Wright Mills, issues:
affect large numbers of people.
are the primary focus of psychologists.
are privately felt problems that spring from events or feelings in a person’s life.
are only dealt with by individuals and their families.
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26. Answer 2 A. affect large numbers of people.
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27. Question 3 What is “debunking”?
A research method that is no longer used in sociology.
A psychological disorder
Accepting ideas and practices that are hidden
Looking behind the facades of life
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28. Answer 3 Looking behind the facades of life
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