1. Splash Screen

2. An Invitation to Sociology
Summary of Topics
The Sociological Perspective
The Origins of Sociology
Theoretical Perspectives
Click on a hyperlink to view a topic or click on the right arrow to proceed through the chapter
Chapter Overview 2

3. Objectives
Define sociology
Describe sociological perspective
Distinguish sociology from other social sciences

4. Bell Ringer What are norms? What does it mean to violate norms?
Behavior is shaped by custom and culture.

5. What is unique about sociology?
What is sociology?
The scientific study social structure (of human social behavior)
What is unique about sociology?
The sociological perspective focuses not on the individual, but on the social, or group level.
Psychology deals with the individual
America has a strong bias against childless and one-child marriages
- will talk about this when we talk about understanding patterns
-couple without children called selfish
-only child is called spoiled
-had large families
a. Needed for work and many children died young
b. Now not necessary so change in attitude is reflected by decrease in family size
Babies are brighter and cuter to their parents
-newlyweds find their spouses more attractive than their friends find them
-your attitudes and beliefs are determined by your perspective
Chapter 6

6. The Sociological Perspective
Sociology is the scientific study of social structure.
look for the patterns in social relationships.
sociological imagination- the ability to see the link between society and self
You can benefit from this understanding when you look at how and why you make certain choices.
Chapter 3

7. A perspective is a particular point of view or a particular way of looking at an issue.
View other perspective pictures
Chapter 5

8. Individual vs. Social Perspective
Young man joins a gang
Prove toughness
Taught by society to be masculine
Woman divorces husband
Develops her potential
Social trend of sexual equity
Teen commits suicide
Escape depression
Peer group expectations
Sociologists don’t speak of a young man, a married woman, or a teenager. They speak in terms of categories such as young men, married women, or teenager.

9. Individual vs. Social Perspective
Someone who can’t find a job
Homelessness is a result of
Immigrants came here because
Personal: lifestyle choices, ability, talent, morals, drunkenness, substance abuse
Societal: wages, exploitation, lack of jobs, poor schools, lack of opportunities
Draw a map to get from school to the café’
many different ways to get to the same point
why do you choose the route you did?
defend yours as the best choice
your ideas depend on your perspective

10. Social structure is the patterned interaction of people in social relationships.
-developed by Emile Durkheim
-people’s behavior within a group setting can’t
be predicted from their personal characteristics
-something new is created
-Denver wins super bowl
-Texas A and M and University of Texas
Said take bronze (hard) made up of copper, tin, and lead (soft and pliable)
Look for patterns
what are common patterns of behavior
forms of greetings
asking for dates
ways of addressing those in authority
Things are rarely the way they are because of “accident”
Walk into any school
a. Students: some will be listening and taking notes, others daydreaming
b. Teachers: lecturing, walk around room and help students
1999 Denver Broncos win Super Bowl
otherwise law abiding citizens challenged the police in ways they wouldn’t have as
individuals.
Texas A and M and University of Texas Rivalry
1. Banished after 12 Aggie students died while making the pregame bonfire
2. Longhorns at halftime played Amazing Grace while fans removed their hats
3. Joint candlelight vigil before the game
What would you do if a fight broke out in the cafeteria?
1. Stand and watch
2. Cheer
3. Try to break it up
Chapter 8

11. All groups encourage conformity
Why do people conform?
All groups encourage conformity
Family and friends
Occurs because members have been taught to value the group’s ways
Conform even when their personal preferences are not the same
Americans, Nigerians, and Russians all have different eating habits, religious beliefs, and attitude toward family.
Smoking and drinking.
Picture p. 11

12. What is gained by using our sociological imagination?
an understanding of the effects of events on our daily lives
an improved ability to make decisions, rather than just conform
Chapter 4

13. The sociological imagination
questions common interpretations of human social behavior and
challenges conventional social wisdom
Definitions:
sociological imagination
conventional social wisdom
Chapter 4a

14. The sociological imagination
questions common interpretations of human social behavior and
challenges conventional social wisdom
sociological imagination: the ability to see the link between society and self
Definitions:
sociological imagination
conventional social wisdom
Chapter 4b

15. The sociological imagination
questions common interpretations of human social behavior and
challenges conventional social wisdom
conventional social wisdom: ideas people assume are true
Definitions:
sociological imagination
conventional social wisdom
Chapter 4c

16. Illiteracy Rates
“Nearly all American adults know how to read and write.” The map shows the percentage of Americans over 20 years old who are illiterate.
Literacy is the ability to read and write at the fourth grade level
Which states have the highest rate of illiteracy? (South)
Which states have the lowest rate of illiteracy? (Northwest)
What are some of the reasons for illiteracy?
a. Lack of opportunity to attend school
b. English as a second language
c. Failure of schools to identify children with difficulties
Study shows juvenile delinquency increases as church attendance decreases..
a. Can you assume lower attendance causes the delinquency?
b. Happens because of age and as you get older, less likely to attend church
Can you think of similar example where age is a factor?
Questioning and researching assumptions is an important aspect of sociology
Learn to question conventional wisdom- what people believe to be true
Is conventional social wisdom about illiteracy rates really wise or true? Support your answer.
Chapter 4d

17. The Social Sciences
Social science is a branch of learning that deals with human society.
It includes a number of disciplines, which we generally refer to as the social sciences.
These disciplines differ but they share enough in common to overlap.
History
Political Science
Economics
Psychology
Sociology
Anthropology
Sociology is a relatively new social science
Geography is not listed, considered a bridge science between the hard science (science) and the soft science (social science)
Social Sciences
For more information on a particular branch of social science, select it from the tree.
Chapter 7

18. Anthropology
Anthropology investigates culture, the customary beliefs and material traits of groups.
It is the social science most closely related to sociology.
Anthropologists, however, concentrate on the study of preliterate societies (societies that do not use writing).
Sociologists focus on modern, industrial societies.
Anthropologists might study the division of work among family members in ancient Egypt.
History
Political Science
Economics
Psychology
Sociology
Anthropology
Social Sciences
Chapter 7a

19. Economics
Economics is the study of the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services.
An area of research for an economist might be the annual income levels of American families.
History
Political Science
Economics
Psychology
Sociology
Anthropology
Social Sciences
Chapter 7b

20. History History examines past events in human societies.
Historians generally rely on newspapers, historical documents, and oral histories as sources of information.
The nature of family life in colonial society is an example of something a historian might study.
History
Political Science
Economics
Psychology
Sociology
Anthropology
Social Sciences
Chapter 7c

21. Political Science
Political science investigates the organization, administration, history, and theory of government.
Political scientists are concerned, for example, with voting patterns and participation in political parties.
A political scientists might investigate the relationship between a family’s social class and voting behavior.
History
Political Science
Economics
Psychology
Sociology
Anthropology
Social Sciences
Chapter 7d

22. Psychology
Psychology investigates human mental and emotional processes.
While sociologists concentrate on the group, psychologists also study the development and functioning of the individual.
A psychologist might study the effects of birth order on emotional development.
History
Political Science
Economics
Psychology
Sociology
Anthropology
Social Sciences
Chapter 7e

23. Sociology
Sociology investigates human social behavior from a group rather than an individual perspective.
It concentrates on patterns of modern-day social relationships.
Sociologists might study the relationship between the employment of women and family size.
History
Political Science
Economics
Psychology
Sociology
Anthropology
Social Sciences
Chapter 7f

24. Click the mouse button or press the space bar to display the answer.
Compare how someone studying individual behavior would explore alcohol abuse with how someone studying group behavior would approach the problem.
Exploring why a person reacts in a particular way to alcohol abuse illustrates the study of individual behavior. Looking at socioeconomic factors that favor or discourage alcoholism is an example of the study of group behavior.
Click the mouse button or press the space bar to display the answer.
Chapter 9

25. The Origins of Sociology
Sociology is a young science.
It grew out of the writings of European scholars who were interested in bringing back a sense of community to society in the late 1800s.
After World War II, America took the lead in developing the field of sociology.
The majority of all sociologists are from the United States.
Chapter 10

26. Time Line of Early Sociologists
C. Wright Mills publishes Sociological Imagination
1959
Jane Addams awarded Nobel Peace Prize
1931  
1904
Max Weber publishes The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism 
W.E.B. DuBois publishes The Philadelphia Negro: A Social Study
1899 
1897
Emile Durkheim publishes Suicide 
Herbert Spencer publishes Social Statics
1850 
1848
Karl Marx publishes The Communist Manifesto, promoting a classless society 
1838
Auguste Comte’s book, Positive Philosophy, identifies science of sociology 
1837
Harriet Martineau publishes Society in America
Select a sociologist, by clicking on their name, and view their contributions..
Chapter 11

27. Jane Addams – early American sociologist
1860–1935
social reformer
co-founded Hull House in Chicago slums
awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, 1931
focused on problems caused by imbalance of power among social classes
active in women’s suffrage and peace movements
Chapter 11a

28. Auguste Comte–early French sociologist
1798–1857
father of sociology
first to advocate the scientific study of society
positivism– science based on knowledge of which we can be “positive”
distinguished between social stability (statics) and social change (dynamics)
Chapter 11b

29. W.E.B. DuBois–early American sociologist
1868–1963
African American educator and social activist
focused on the question of race inside and outside the United States
analyzed social structure of African American communities
active in Pan African movement, concerned with rights of all African descendents
Chapter 11c

30. Emile Durkheim–early French sociologist
1858–1917
first used statistical methods in study of human groups
first to teach university sociology course
showed human behavior to be explained by social factors rather than psychological ones
Chapter 11d

31. Harriet Martineau–early English sociologist
1802–1876
emphasized sociology as a science
translated Comte’s Positive Philosophy
introduced feminism into sociology
strong and outspoken supporter of both women and slaves
Chapter 11e

32. Karl Marx–early German sociologist
1818–1883
guided by principle that social scientists should try to change the world rather than merely study it
emphasized the role of class conflict in social change
writings were later used as a basis for communism
Chapter 11f

33. C. Wright Mills–early American sociologist
1917–1962
called the personal use of sociology “the sociological imagination”
first described emergence of strong middle class (White Collar, 1951)
published Power Elite, (1956)
father of student movement of 1960s
Chapter 11g

34. Herbert Spencer–early English sociologist
1820–1903
early proponent of Social Darwinism
opposed social reform; it interfered with process of natural selection
compared society to human body; composed of parts working together to promote its well-being
Chapter 11h

35. Max Weber–early German sociolgist
1864–1920
developed the concept of verstehen– understanding social behavior by putting yourself in the place of others
identified rationalization as key to change from preindustrial to industrial society
pioneered techniques to prevent personal biases in research
Chapter 11i

36. Name the “giants” who helped to lay the foundation for the discipline of sociology and identify their contribution.
Marx
Mills
DuBois
Addams
Weber
Comte
Durkheim
Spencer
Martineau
Click on the names to view their contributions.
Click the mouse button or press the space bar to display the answer.
Chapter 12

37. Jane Addams – early American sociologist
1860–1935
social reformer
co-founded Hull House in Chicago slums
awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, 1931
focused on problems caused by imbalance of power among social classes
active in women’s suffrage and peace movements
Chapter 12a

38. Auguste Comte–early French sociologist
1798–1857
father of sociology
first to advocate the scientific study of society
positivism– science based on knowledge of which we can be “positive”
distinguished between social stability (statics) and social change (dynamics)
Chapter 12b

39. W.E.B. DuBois–early American sociologist
1868–1963
African American educator and social activist
focused on the question of race inside and outside the United States
analyzed social structure of African American communities
active in Pan African movement, concerned with rights of all African descendents
Chapter 12c

40. Emile Durkheim–early French sociologist
1858–1917
first used statistical methods in study of human groups
first to teach university sociology course
showed human behavior to be explained by social factors rather than psychological ones
Chapter 12d

41. Harriet Martineau–early English sociologist
1802–1876
emphasized sociology as a science
translated Comte’s Positive Philosophy
introduced feminism into sociology
strong and outspoken supporter of both women and slaves
Chapter 12e

42. Karl Marx–early German sociologist
1818–1883
guided by principle that social scientists should try to change the world rather than merely study it
emphasized the role of class conflict in social change
writings were later used as a basis for communism
Chapter 12f

43. C. Wright Mills–early American sociologist
1917–1962
called the personal use of sociology “the sociological imagination”
first described emergence of strong middle class (White Collar, 1951)
published Power Elite, (1956)
father of student movement of 1960s
Chapter 12g

44. Herbert Spencer–early English sociologist
1820–1903
early proponent of Social Darwinism
opposed social reform; it interfered with process of natural selection
compared society to human body; composed of parts working together to promote its well-being
Chapter 12h

45. Max Weber–early German sociolgist
1864–1920
developed the concept of verstehen– understanding social behavior by putting yourself in the place of others
identified rationalization as key to change from preindustrial to industrial society
pioneered techniques to prevent personal biases in research
Chapter 12i

46. SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM
Sociology includes three major theoretical perspectives:
FUNCTIONALISM
CONFLICT PERSPECTIVE
SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM
. Remember in lesson one when we looked at pictures that showed perspective?
2. Today we are going to look at different perspectives in sociology.
3. Look at map p. 24 turning the world upside down
a. there is no reason North has to be at the top of the map
b. First maps put the Meditterranean Sea in the center
4. Click for definition of theoretical perspective
Click the hyperlink to learn more about theoretical perspectives or click on a graphic to learn more about a particular type of theoretical perspective.
Chapter 13

47. Functionalism
Emphasizes the contributions made by each part of society
Family, economy, religion- all parts
A change in one may lead to a change in another.
Most aspects of a society contribute to the society’s well-being and survival.
Society rests on the voluntary participation of its members.
FUNCTIONALISM
Functionalism-
a. emphasizes the contributions made by each part of society
1. family, economy, religion are all parts
b. a change in one may lead to a change in another
1. economy changes so that causes family to change
2. Industrial Revolution- people moved to town,
family size decreased
c 's - no longer accept all involvement in war as legitimate
public more aware of environmental protection
d. most aspects contribute to the well being of society
1. if it didn't benefit society, it would dissappear
e. a function is a contribution made by some part of society
1. manifest funtion- intended and recognized
2. latent functions- unintended
3. EX- school- manifest function is to teach skills, latent function
socialization
4. negative consequence of an aspect of society is dysfunction
f. With functionalism, there is a consensus on values
1. democracy, success, equal opportunity- all valued by
Chapter 13a

48. Functions Function- contribution made by some part of society
Manifest function- intended and recognized
Latent function- unintended, happens as a result
In functionalism, there is consensus on values
Accounts for high degree of cooperation in a society
. a function is a contribution made by some part of society
1. manifest funtion- intended and recognized
2. latent functions- unintended
3. EX- school- manifest function is to teach skills, latent function
socialization
4. negative consequence of an aspect of society is dysfunction
f. With functionalism, there is a consensus on values
1. democracy, success, equal opportunity- all valued by Americans
2. the consensus on values accounts for the high degree of
cooperation found in any society.

49. Conflict perspective
Emphasizes the role of conflict, competition, change, and constraint within a society
Society experiences inconsistency and conflict everywhere.
Society is continually subjected to change.
Society involves the constraint and coercion of some members by others.
CONFLICT PERSPECTIVE
Slide: Conflict Perspective
1. emphasizes the role of competition, change, and constraint
2. focuses on the disagreements among groups as they compete to preserve and
promote their own special values and interests
3. Central theme is power and who gets what
a. those with the most power- have the ability to control the behavior of
others
4. EX: woman's movement was about changing the balance of power between
men and women.
a. entering occupations once only open to men
b. gender relations are changing (divided household tasks)
c. conflict theory says these changes due to increasing power among
women
Chapter 13b

50. Central theme is power, who gets what
Conflict Theory
Central theme is power, who gets what
Those with power control those without power

51. SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM
Focuses on the interactions among people based on mutually understood symbols.
People learn to interpret the meanings of symbols from others.
People base their interaction on their interpretations of symbols.
Symbols permit people to predict the behavior expected of them.
SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM
1. focuses on interactions among people instead of social structures
2. uses symbols
a. anything that stands for something else and has an agreed upon
meaning attached to it
1. gesture
2. facial expression
3. team mascot- school loyalty
4. American flag
b. if people do not share the same meaning of a symbol, confusion results
c. what if some thought red light meant go
1. would have chaos
3. We learn the meaning of the symbol when we see the way others react to it.
a. Latin America- whistle at end of a performance to show disapproval
b. we base our behavior (interaction) on the meaning of symbols
1. no encore if audience whistles
c. we use symbols to imagine how others will respond to us before we act
1. internal conversations to visualize how others will respond to us
Chapter 13c

52. Symbolic Interaction
Dramaturgy-approach that depicts human interaction as theatrical performances
People present themselves by the way they dress, gestures, tone of voice.
. dramaturgy- approach that depicts human interaction as theatrical
performances
a. like actors on a stage, people present themselves by the way
they dress, gestures, tone of voice

53. A theoretical perspective is:
a set of assumptions about an area of study, in this case about the workings of society
viewed as true by its supporters and it helps them organize their research
Chapter 14

54. Which perspective is the best?
There is no “better” theoretical perspective.
Each perspective highlights certain areas of social life.
The advantages of one perspective are the disadvantages of another.
Certain issues and problems are best understood from a particular perspective.
Chapter 15

55. SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM
Society Looks at the Internet
We can use technology to help us understand the role of “perspective taking.”
The Internet began as a way for military and scientific personnel to share information after a nuclear war.
ARPAnet (the Internet’s forerunner) was formed in 1969 with only four connected computers.
According to some estimates, there will be more than 500 million users worldwide by the year 2003.
Cyberspace technology showcases the usefulness of the three theoretical perspectives.
1. One perspective is not better than another, we must look at all three
Slide: Society looks at the internet
Are there some dysfunctions of the internet?
a. our reliance on them- if a computer crashes everything could be shut down
b. some people seem to interact more with a computer than their
family members
FUNCTIONALISM
CONFLICT PERSPECTIVE
SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM
Click on each theoretical perspective to learn more.
Chapter 16

56. Functionalism Cyberspace has both positive and negative consequences.
Advantages: parents can work at home and spend more time with children; individuals with disabilities can do jobs at home that would otherwise be denied, becoming more fully integrated into society.
Dysfunctions: young people may have easy access to pornography, which can distort views of human sexuality; hate groups can be formed by strangers living many miles apart; anonymity may encourage antisocial or violent behavior.
Chapter 16a

57. Conflict perspective
The Internet is changing American society by contributing to the increasing speed of technological change.
Social instability created by rapid change might be investigated; workers may be let go as more tasks are performed by computers.
Could guide investigation comparing numbers of computers used in school districts of varying socioeconomic levels. Because computer literacy is becoming essential for obtaining a well-paying job, students at wealthy schools with access to computers may have an advantage over students in poorer districts.
Chapter 16b

58. Symbolic interactionism
Can the Internet affect a child’s social development?
Popularity of TV cartoon characters reinforced by Web pages where children join fan clubs, interact with other fans, and view video clips whenever they want.
Some TV shows feature children behaving in ways unacceptable in many American homes. TV provides limited exposure, but the Internet allows them to become part of daily life.
Might conclude that what children come to accept as desirable behavior is based increasingly on interpretations of symbols and behaviors represented by these characters, thus the Internet lessens adult influence on children.
Chapter 16c

59. Think about it...
Which perspective would you choose to conduct an in-depth study of the Internet’s effect on society? Why?
Chapter 17

60. Click the mouse button or press the space bar to display the answers.
Indicate whether the following statements represent functionalism (F), the conflict perspective (C), or symbolic interactionism (S).
a. Societies are in relative balance.
b. Power is one of the most important elements in social life.
c. Symbols are crucial to social life.
d. Social life should be understood from the viewpoint of individuals involved.
e. Social change is constantly occurring.
f. Conflict is harmful and disruptive to society. F C S S C F
Click the mouse button or press the space bar to display the answers.
Chapter 18

61. Chapter Summary
Sociology studies patterns in human social behavior. It assumes a group, rather than an individual perspective.
Sociology is a young science that started in Europe. After World War II, Americans took the lead in developing the field.
The three major theoretical perspectives are: functionalism (society as an integrated whole), conflict theory (class, race, and gender struggles), and symbolic interactionism (how group members use shared symbols as they interact).
Chapter 19