1. The Sociological Perspective Seeing the general in the particular Seeing the strange in the familiar Macionis Sociology Chapter One

2. Overall Goals of Chapter One
Gain a working knowledge of the three major sociological theories
Understand the impact of the global perspective
Macionis, Sociology, Chapter One

3. “...The systematic study of human society ”
What Is Sociology?
“...The systematic study of human society ”
Systematic
Scientific discipline that focuses attention on patterns of behavior. Allows for proof or disproof.
Human society
Group behavior is primary focus; how groups influence individuals and vice versa. Impact of groups on choices.
At the “heart of sociology” - Peter Berger
The sociological perspective which offers a unique view of society. Patterns.
Seeing the general in the particular.
Seeing the strange in the familiar.
Macionis, Sociology Chapter One

4. Applying the Sociological Perspective
Helps assess the truth of common sense
Helps assess opportunities and constraints in our lives (personal growth)
Empowers us to be active participants in our society (change public policy)
Helps us learn how to live in a diverse world (the global perspective)
Macionis, Sociology, Chapter One

5. Importance of Global Perspective
Where we live makes a great difference in shaping our lives
Societies throughout the world are increasingly interconnected through technology and economics
Many problems that we faced in the united states are more serious elsewhere
Thinking globally is a good way to learn more about ourselves
Macionis, Sociology, Chapter One

6. What is a simple definition of Globalization?
Answer: Princess Diana's death.
An English princess with an Egyptian boyfriend crashes in a French tunnel, driving a German car with a Dutch engine, driven by a Belgian who was drunk on Scottish whisky, (check the bottle before you change the spelling), followed closely by Italian Paparazzi, on Japanese motorcycles; treated by an American doctor, using Brazilian medicines.
Macionis, Sociology, Chapter One

7. Macionis, Sociology, Chapter One
Global Disparities
Education
Marriage
Personal choice
Career choices
Choices about faith
Laws
Public Policy
Income and earning power
Macionis, Sociology, Chapter One

8. C. Wright Mills’ Sociological Imagination
The power of the sociological perspective lies not just in changing individual lives but in transforming society
Society, not people’s personal failings is the cause of social problems
The sociological imagination transforms personal problems into public issues
Macionis, Sociology, Chapter One

9. Macionis, Sociology, Chapter One
Sociological Theory
Theory: a statement of how and why facts are related. Explains social behavior to the world
Theoretical paradigm: a set of fundamental assumptions that guide thinking
Three major approaches to sociology
Structural-functional (macro)
Social-conflict (macro)
Symbolic-interaction (micro)
Macionis, Sociology, Chapter One

10. Structural–Functional Paradigm
The basics:
A macro-level orientation, concerned with broad patterns that shape society as a whole
Views society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stability
Key elements:
Social structure refers to any relatively stable patterns of social behavior found in social institutions
Social function refers to the consequences for the operation of society as a whole
Macionis, Sociology, Chapter One

11. Who’s Who in the Structural-Functional Paradigm
Auguste Comte
Importance of social integration during rapid change
Emile Durkheim
Helped establish sociology as a university discipline
Talcott Parsons
Identify tasks that every society must perform
Robert K. Merton
Manifest functions: recognized intended consequences
Latent functions: unrecognized unintended consequences
Social dysfunctions are undesirable consequences
Macionis, Sociology, Chapter One

12. Social-Conflict Paradigm
The basics:
A macro-oriented paradigm
Views society as an arena of inequality that generates conflict and social change
Power-based
Key elements:
Society is structured in ways to benefit a few at the expense of the majority
Factors such as race, sex, class, and age are linked to social inequality
Dominant group vs. Minority group relations
Incompatible interests and major differences
Macionis, Sociology, Chapter One

13. Who’s Who in the Social-Conflict Paradigm
Karl Marx
The importance of social class in inequality and social conflict
W.E.B. DuBois
Race as the major problem facing the United States in the twentieth century
Harriet Martineau
Position of women and their education
Jane Addams
Hull House for immigrants
Macionis, Sociology, Chapter One

14. Symbolic Interaction Paradigm
The basics:
A micro-level orientation, a close-up focus on social interactions in specific situations
Views society as the product of everyday interactions of individuals
Key elements:
Society is the shared reality that people construct as they interact with one another
Society is a complex, ever-changing mosaic of subjective meanings
Meaning people attach to behavior
Macionis, Sociology, Chapter One

15. Who’s Who in the Symbolic-Interaction Paradigm
Max Weber
Understanding a setting from the people in it
George Herbert Mead
How we build personalities form social experience
Erving Goffman
Dramaturgical analysis
George Homans & Peter Blau
Social-exchange analysis
Macionis, Sociology, Chapter One

16. Macionis, Sociology, Chapter One
Critical Evaluation
Structural-Functional
Too broad, ignores inequalities of social class, race & gender, focuses on stability at the expense of conflict
Social-Conflict
Too broad, ignores how shared values and mutual interdependence unify society, pursues political goals
Symbolic-Interaction
Ignores larger social structures, effects of culture, factors such as social economic class, gender, & race
Macionis, Sociology, Chapter One

17. Applying Theory Major Theoretical Approaches

18. Macionis, Sociology, Chapter One
“I always have two lists: things I'm happy about and things I'm not.  It's my choice which list I focus on.” - Anne Arthur
Macionis, Sociology, Chapter One