Chapter 1: Sociology and the Real World (Part II).

Chapter 1:

Sociology and the Real World

(Part II)

“Clickers”BC Forum: Channel 42

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Overview Historical Factors What is Theory? Theoretical Perspectives

• Europe• MACRO

• The U.S. • MICRO

• New Theoretical Approaches Tensions Within Sociology

The Blind Men and the ElephantBy John Godfrey Saxe

(1816-1887)

It was six men of Indostan

To learning much inclined

Who went to see the Elephant

(Though all of them were blind),

That each by observation

Might satisfy his mind

The First approached the Elephant, And happening to fall Against his broad and sturdy side, At once began to bawl: “God bless me! but the Elephant Is very like a wall!”

The Second, feeling of the tusk, Cried, “Ho! what have we here So very round and smooth and sharp? To me ’tis mighty clear This wonder of an Elephant Is very like a spear!”

The Third approached the animal, And happening to take The squirming trunk within his hands, Thus boldly up and spake: “I see,” quoth he, “the Elephant Is very like a snake!”

The Fourth reached out an eager hand, And felt about the knee. “What most this wondrous beast is like Is mighty plain,” quoth he; “‘Tis clear enough the Elephant Is very like a tree!”

The Fifth, who chanced to touch the ear, Said: “E’en the blindest man Can tell what this resembles most; Deny the fact who can This marvel of an Elephant Is very like a fan!

The Sixth no sooner had begun About the beast to grope, Than, seizing on the swinging tail That fell within his scope, “I see,” quoth he, “the Elephant Is very like a rope!”

And so these men of Indostan Disputed loud and long, Each in his own opinion Exceeding stiff and strong, Though each was partly in the right, And all were in the wrong!

So oft in theologic wars, The disputants, I ween, Rail on in utter ignorance Of what each other mean, And prate about an Elephant Not one of them has seen!

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Historical Factors in the Development of Sociology

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Historical Factors

The emergence of social sciences• Borrowing from

the natural sciences

• Applying the scientific method to the study of the social world

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Historical Factors

The Industrial Revolution• Invention:

• Steam engine

• Europe (in 19th Century)• Spread to U.S.

• Social Change• Radical, rapid transformation of society

and everyday life• New, widespread social problems

Historical Factors

The French and American Revolutions• Political change

• Overthrow monarchies

• Democracy

• Social change• Rights• Freedoms

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Historical Factors

Increases in travel• Exposure to

other societies• Compare and

contrast • social systems• cultural

practices

Innovations in communications• Rapid

dissemination of information

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In-Class Exercise

Re-imagining the Industrial Revolution

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“THEORY”(also known as):

Approach Perspective School of Thought Paradigm

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Theory What is Theory?

• Framework for understanding

• Abstract proposition:• explains social

world • makes

predictions about future

What Makes a Good Theory?• Broad, enduring

• Subject to testing• prove, modify or

disprove

• Can adapt to social change

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The Roots of Sociology

Auguste Compte (1798-1857)1798-1857)

Applied scientific method• Positivism

• Knowledge gained directly through senses

Coined the term “Sociology”

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The Roots of Sociology Herbert Spencer

(1820-1903))

Interest in evolution• Societies (like

organisms) evolve by adapting to changing environment

• “Social Darwinism”

Coined the phrase• “Survival of the

Fittest”

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Sociological Theory 3 “Grand” Theories

• MACRO (Europe 19th Century)• Functionalism• Conflict Theory

• MICRO (U.S. 20th Century)• Interactionism

Other Theorists• Sigmund Freud (Ch. 4)• Max Weber (Ch. 5)

Emile Durkheim 1858–1917

FUNCTIONALISM

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FUNCTIONALISM(Structural Functionalism)

Understanding rapid social change• Could society survive?

Focus on stability, cohesion and order

• Social bonds exist in all societies• Mechanical solidarity

– Shared traditions and beliefs

• Organic solidarity– Division of labor and interdependence

Society is a system of interrelated parts• Each part helps meet needs of members

• Social institutions

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“The Elementary Forms of Religious Life”• Solidarity in secular society

• Division of sacred and profane• Collective effervescence

– Shared rituals

• Collective conscience– Shared beliefs and values

Robert Merton• Manifest and latent functions

• Intended and unintended consequences

• Dysfunctions may arise• Not all are unhealthy• Can lead to social change

CONFLICT THEORY

Karl Marx 1818–1883

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CONFLICT THEORY(Marxism)

Founded by Karl Marx• Marxism is NOT Communism

Looked at growth of Capitalism• Profit-driven private industry

Social inequality• Concern for the poor, working class masses

Marx’s vision:• A classless utopia

“From each according to his abilities,

To each according to his needs”

CONFLICT THEORY(Marxism)

Different groups compete over “scarce” resources• Tension between

“haves” and “have-nots”

Class conflict• The Bourgeoisie

• The ruling class (owners of the “means of production”)

• The Proletariat• The working class

The powerful protect their own interests• Domination, exploitation

results in:• Resentment, resistance and

rebellion

• Or, “False consciousness” (acceptance of the dominant ideology)

Struggle leads to social change• “Revolutionary” class

consciousness• Overthrow the status quo

George Herbert Mead

Herbert Blumer

SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM

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SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM(Interactionism)

American branch of sociology• Early 20th Century• University of Chicago

• “Chicago School” used the city as a social laboratory

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Interactionism

Face-to-face interaction and everyday life

Focus on symbols• meaningful

representations• signs, gestures,

language

Looks at how people:• create and interpret

social reality • act toward each

other based on their interpretations

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Tenets: We act toward things based on

their meaning Meanings are not inherent; rather

they are derived through interaction Meanings can change or be

modified

Illustration: “The Slap”

Tensions in Early Sociology Eurocentrism, sexism and racism

Accomplishments (praxis)

Jane Addams1860–1935

W.E.B. DuBois 1868–1963

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New Theoretical ApproachesWhat is the future of sociology?

POSTMODERNISM

Derrida, Foucault, Baurdrillard

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Postmodernism New perspective for era (21st century)

• Post-atomic• Information Revolution (Digital Age)

• Characteristics of eras• Modernism

– Reason, science, rationality, linear, universal

• Postmodernism – Relative, fragmented, fluid, multidimensional,

temporary

• The “simulacra” (simulation or fake)• Virtual reality as good as (or better than) the

real– Las Vegas theme hotels– Video: Holographic pop star (Japan)

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Next …

Studying Social Life:

Research Methods