Chapter 1: The Sociological Perspective Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 20051 Sociology: A Down-to-Earth Approach 7/e James M. Henslin Chapter One: The Sociological.

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2005 1

Chapter 1: The Sociological PerspectiveChapter 1: The Sociological Perspective

Sociology: A Down-to-EarthSociology: A Down-to-EarthApproach 7/eApproach 7/e

Sociology: A Down-to-EarthSociology: A Down-to-EarthApproach 7/eApproach 7/e

James M. HenslinJames M. HenslinChapter One: The Sociological PerspectiveChapter One: The Sociological Perspective

James M. HenslinJames M. HenslinChapter One: The Sociological PerspectiveChapter One: The Sociological Perspective



Sociology

Is the science that Is the science that studies human society studies human society and social behavior. and social behavior. Sociologists are Sociologists are mainly interested in mainly interested in Social Interaction.Social Interaction.



Sociological Perspective Sociology teaches us to look at Sociology teaches us to look at

social life in a scientific/ systematic social life in a scientific/ systematic way. way.

By adopting the sociological By adopting the sociological Perspective, we can look beyond Perspective, we can look beyond commonly held beliefs to the commonly held beliefs to the hidden meanings behind human hidden meanings behind human actions.actions.

The sociological perspective tells The sociological perspective tells us that we are human beings and us that we are human beings and that we have learned our behavior that we have learned our behavior from others.from others.

The sociological Perspective can The sociological Perspective can help us broaden our view of the help us broaden our view of the social world. To view things social world. To view things objectively.objectively.



Sociological Perspective

Sociology can also Sociology can also help us find an help us find an acceptable balance acceptable balance between our personal between our personal desires and the desires and the demands of our social demands of our social environment.environment.



Sociological Perspective

If we do what we want If we do what we want to do we will conflict to do we will conflict with others a great with others a great portion of the time. portion of the time. But if we always do But if we always do what others tell us we what others tell us we will not grow as will not grow as individuals.individuals.



How Groups Influence PeopleHow Groups Influence People

How People are Influenced by How People are Influenced by

Their SocietyTheir Society

People Who Share a CulturePeople Who Share a Culture

People Who Share a People Who Share a

TerritoryTerritory

Seeing the Broader Social ContextSeeing the Broader Social Context



JobsJobs

IncomeIncome

EducationEducation

GenderGender

AgeAge

RaceRace

Social Location—Corners in LifeSocial Location—Corners in Life



History—Location in Broad History—Location in Broad

Stream of EventsStream of Events

Biography—Individual’s Biography—Individual’s

Specific ExperiencesSpecific Experiences

C. Wright Mills—Connection C. Wright Mills—Connection Between History and BiographyBetween History and Biography



Sociological Imagination Sociology can also help us Sociology can also help us

view our own lives in a view our own lives in a broader social and broader social and historical context.historical context.

The ability to see the The ability to see the connection between the connection between the larger world and our larger world and our personal lives is what personal lives is what C. C. Wright MillsWright Mills termed the termed the sociological Imagination.sociological Imagination. According to Mills good According to Mills good students of society possess students of society possess this.this.



The Global VillageThe Global Village

Instant CommunicationInstant Communication

Sociology Studies both the Global Sociology Studies both the Global

Network and Our Unique Network and Our Unique

ExperiencesExperiences

The Growing Global ContextThe Growing Global Context



The Natural Sciences—Explain and Predict The Natural Sciences—Explain and Predict

Events in Natural EnvironmentEvents in Natural Environment

The Social Sciences—Examine Human The Social Sciences—Examine Human

RelationshipsRelationships

Sociology and the Other SciencesSociology and the Other Sciences



Anthropology

The comparative study The comparative study of various aspects of of various aspects of past and present past and present cultures, and is the cultures, and is the social science closest social science closest to sociology. to sociology.



Psychology

The social Science that The social Science that deals with the behavior deals with the behavior and thinking of organisms, and thinking of organisms, and differs from sociology and differs from sociology primarily because it primarily because it focuses on the individual focuses on the individual rather than on the group rather than on the group and draws heavily on tools and draws heavily on tools of the natural sciences. of the natural sciences.



Social Psychology

Is the study of how an Is the study of how an individual’s behavior individual’s behavior and personality are and personality are affected by the social affected by the social environment. environment.



Economics

Is the study of the Is the study of the choices people make choices people make in an effort to satisfy in an effort to satisfy their wants and needs. their wants and needs.

Or what this guy tried Or what this guy tried to teach you!to teach you!



Political Science

The examination of The examination of the organization and the organization and operation of operation of governments. governments.



History

Is the study of past Is the study of past events and what we events and what we learn from them.learn from them.



Explain Why Something HappensExplain Why Something Happens

Make GeneralizationsMake Generalizations

Look for PatternsLook for Patterns

Move Beyond Common SenseMove Beyond Common Sense

The Goal of ScienceThe Goal of Science



Tradition vs. ScienceTradition vs. Science

Emerged mid-1800sEmerged mid-1800s

Grew Out of Social Grew Out of Social

UpheavalUpheaval

The Scientific MethodThe Scientific Method

Origins of SociologyOrigins of Sociology



Early Years of Sociology

Sociology took root in Sociology took root in the 19th Century the 19th Century primarily in France, primarily in France, Germany and Germany and England. These England. These nations most strongly nations most strongly felt the effects of the felt the effects of the Industrial Revolution. Industrial Revolution.



Applying the Scientific Method Applying the Scientific Method

to Social Worldto Social World

Coined the Term “Sociology”Coined the Term “Sociology”

“ “Armchair Philosophy”Armchair Philosophy”

Auguste Comte and PositivismAuguste Comte and Positivism



Comte Like most French scholars Like most French scholars

he was interested in he was interested in finding a solution to the finding a solution to the chaos of the French chaos of the French Revolution. Revolution.

He was heavily influenced He was heavily influenced by the study of the natural by the study of the natural sciences. Comte said sciences. Comte said sociologists could use sociologists could use similar methods to similar methods to uncover laws that govern uncover laws that govern the operation of society.the operation of society.



Comte

Comte said Comte said sociologists should be sociologists should be concerned with two concerned with two problems:problems: OrderOrder ChangeChange



Comte-Social Statics

He used the term He used the term social staticssocial statics to to describe the process describe the process by which the overall by which the overall structure of a society structure of a society remains relatively remains relatively stable. stable.



Comte-Social Dynamics

He applied the term He applied the term social dynamicssocial dynamics to the to the processes by which processes by which elements within a elements within a society change in a society change in a systematic fashion to systematic fashion to allow social allow social development.development.



Comte-Cerebral Hygiene

At one point in his life At one point in his life he practiced he practiced cerebral cerebral hygienehygiene, in which he , in which he refused to read any refused to read any other scholars work.other scholars work.



Second Founder of SociologySecond Founder of Sociology

Lower and Higher Forms of SocietyLower and Higher Forms of Society

Coined Phrase “Survival of the Fittest”Coined Phrase “Survival of the Fittest”

Herbert Spencer—Social DarwinismHerbert Spencer—Social Darwinism



Spencer

Spencer was largely Spencer was largely influenced by the views of influenced by the views of Charles Darwin. Spencer Charles Darwin. Spencer viewed society as a set of viewed society as a set of interdependent parts that interdependent parts that work together to maintain work together to maintain the system over time. the system over time. Spencer thought of society Spencer thought of society in terms of Darwin’s in terms of Darwin’s theory of Evolution. theory of Evolution.



Spencer

No corrections should be No corrections should be made to correct social ills. made to correct social ills. He coined the phrase He coined the phrase Survival of the FittestSurvival of the Fittest in in reference to the weeding reference to the weeding out process. Because of out process. Because of the strong evolutionary the strong evolutionary orientation of Spencer’s orientation of Spencer’s brand of sociology, it brand of sociology, it came to be known as came to be known as Social Darwinism. Social Darwinism.



Engine of Human History is Class Engine of Human History is Class

ConflictConflict

The Bourgeoisie vs. The ProletariatThe Bourgeoisie vs. The Proletariat

Marxism Not the Same as Marxism Not the Same as

CommunismCommunism

Karl Marx and Class ConflictKarl Marx and Class Conflict



Marx Marx believed that the overall Marx believed that the overall

structure of society is highly structure of society is highly influenced by economics. influenced by economics.

According to Marx society is According to Marx society is divided between those who divided between those who own the means of production own the means of production and those who only own their and those who only own their labor. The imbalance of power labor. The imbalance of power would eventually lead to a would eventually lead to a conflict. conflict.



Marx Marx was deeply troubled by Marx was deeply troubled by

the social conditions that came the social conditions that came out of a capitalist society. He out of a capitalist society. He said that social scientists had a said that social scientists had a duty to try to change the plights duty to try to change the plights of the many less fortunate, of the many less fortunate, unlike most social scientists. unlike most social scientists.

Marx did not consider himself a Marx did not consider himself a sociologist, nor do most sociologist, nor do most sociologists consider sociologists consider themselves to be Marxist.themselves to be Marxist.



Got Sociology Recognized as Separate Got Sociology Recognized as Separate

DisciplineDiscipline

Studied How Social Forces Affect BehaviorStudied How Social Forces Affect Behavior

Identified “Social Integration”—Degree to Identified “Social Integration”—Degree to

Which People are Tied to Social GroupWhich People are Tied to Social Group

Durkheim and Social IntegrationDurkheim and Social Integration



Emile Durkheim

(1858-1917) was French (1858-1917) was French and was a teacher at the and was a teacher at the University of Bordeaux University of Bordeaux when he was in his when he was in his twenties.twenties.

Durkheim was the first Durkheim was the first sociologist to sociologist to systematically apply the systematically apply the methods of science to the methods of science to the study of society. study of society.



Durkheim

He was concerned He was concerned with the problem of with the problem of social order. social order.

He viewed society as a He viewed society as a set of interdependent set of interdependent parts that maintain the parts that maintain the system over time. system over time.



Durkheim

He viewed the role of He viewed the role of these parts in terms of these parts in terms of Functions. Functions.

FunctionFunction- is the - is the positive consequence positive consequence that an element of that an element of society has for the society has for the maintenance of the maintenance of the social system. social system.



Durkheim

He also believed that He also believed that sociology should only sociology should only study those aspects of study those aspects of society that are society that are directly observable. directly observable.

He also used statistical He also used statistical analysis to study analysis to study society.society.



Religion and the Origin of CapitalismReligion and the Origin of Capitalism

Religion is Central Force in Social ChangeReligion is Central Force in Social Change

Protestant Ethic and Spirit of CapitalismProtestant Ethic and Spirit of Capitalism

Max Weber and the Protestant EthicMax Weber and the Protestant Ethic



Weber

He said sociologists He said sociologists should go beyond should go beyond studying what is studying what is directly observed. directly observed.

He thought they He thought they should uncover the should uncover the thoughts and feelings thoughts and feelings of individuals. of individuals.



WeberWeber Verstehen—Verstehen—““To Grasp by Insight”To Grasp by Insight” Importance of Subjective MeaningsImportance of Subjective Meanings

DurkheimDurkheim Stressed Social FactsStressed Social Facts Explain Social Facts with Other Social Explain Social Facts with Other Social

FactsFacts How Social Facts and How Social Facts and VerstehenVerstehen Fit Fit

TogetherTogether

Verstehen Verstehen and Social Factsand Social Facts



Weber They could do this by They could do this by

using using VerstehenVerstehen- which is - which is the empathetic the empathetic understanding of the understanding of the meanings others attach to meanings others attach to their actions. their actions.

In essence the sociologist In essence the sociologist puts themselves in the puts themselves in the place of others and place of others and attempts to see the world attempts to see the world through their eyes. through their eyes.



Weber

He also applied the idea of He also applied the idea of ideal type-ideal type- which is a which is a description of the essential description of the essential characteristics of some characteristics of some aspect of society. aspect of society.

An ideal type is An ideal type is constructed by examining constructed by examining many different features of many different features of a phenomenon and a phenomenon and describing its essential describing its essential parts. parts.



Sociology Should be Value-FreeSociology Should be Value-Free

Sociology Should be ObjectiveSociology Should be Objective

Research Should Involve ReplicationResearch Should Involve Replication

Goals and Uses of SociologyGoals and Uses of Sociology

Values in Sociological ResearchValues in Sociological Research



Attitudes of the TimeAttitudes of the Time 1800s Sex Roles Rigidly Defined1800s Sex Roles Rigidly Defined Few People Educated Beyond Few People Educated Beyond

BasicsBasics Harriet MartineauHarriet Martineau

Published Published Society in AmericaSociety in America Before Durkheim and Weber Were Before Durkheim and Weber Were BornBorn

Her Work was IgnoredHer Work was Ignored

Sexism in Early SociologySexism in Early Sociology



First Soc. Dept. U. of ChicagoFirst Soc. Dept. U. of Chicago

Albion SmallAlbion Small

Early History: Tension Between Early History: Tension Between

Social Reform and Sociological Social Reform and Sociological

AnalysisAnalysis

Sociology in North AmericaSociology in North America



Jane Addams and Social ReformJane Addams and Social Reform

Hull HouseHull House

Nobel PrizeNobel Prize

NAACPNAACP

W. E. B. Du Bois and Race RelationsW. E. B. Du Bois and Race Relations

NAACPNAACP

Talcott Parsons and C. Wright Mills: Theory Talcott Parsons and C. Wright Mills: Theory

vs. Reformvs. Reform

Grand TheoristsGrand Theorists

Sociology in North AmericaSociology in North America



Current Perspectives TheoryTheory

is a systematic explanation of the relationships among is a systematic explanation of the relationships among phenomena. phenomena.

Theoretic PerspectiveTheoretic Perspective is a general set of assumptions about the nature of phenomena. is a general set of assumptions about the nature of phenomena.



Functionalist Perspective View society as a set of View society as a set of

interrelated parts that interrelated parts that work together to produce work together to produce a stable social system. a stable social system.

Society is held together Society is held together through consensus. through consensus.

Functionalists view Functionalists view society in terms of their society in terms of their functionsfunctions-their positive -their positive consequences for society. consequences for society.



Functionalist

DysfunctionDysfunction is the negative consequence an element has for is the negative consequence an element has for

the stability of the social system. EX. Crimethe stability of the social system. EX. Crime Manifest FunctionManifest Function

is the intended and recognized consequence of is the intended and recognized consequence of some element of society. some element of society.

Latent FunctionLatent Function is the unintended and unrecognized consequence is the unintended and unrecognized consequence

of an element of society. of an element of society.



Conflict Perspective

Focus on those forces in Focus on those forces in society that promote society that promote competition and change. competition and change. Following Karl Marx, Following Karl Marx, conflict theorists are conflict theorists are interested in how those interested in how those who posses more power in who posses more power in society exercise control society exercise control over those with less. over those with less.



Interactionist Perspective

Focus on how Focus on how individuals interact individuals interact with one another in with one another in society. These society. These sociologists are sociologists are interested in the ways interested in the ways in which individuals in which individuals respond to one another respond to one another in everyday situations. in everyday situations.



Symbolic Interactionism

Interaction between Interaction between people that takes place people that takes place through the use of through the use of symbols. symbols.

SymbolSymbol is anything that is anything that

stands for stands for something else.something else.

Chapter 1: The Sociological Perspective Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 20051 Sociology: A Down-to-Earth Approach 7/e James M. Henslin Chapter One: The Sociological.

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sociological perspective

sociological perspective

social behavior

social life

social interaction

social environment

social world

broader social context