Notes on Understanding Sociology

Chance H Smith
Sociology 101
Sociology Chapter 1 Outline
Understanding Social Context * Sociological Perspective; Understanding human behavior by placing it within its broader social context * “The sociological imagination enables us to grasp the connection between history and biography” -Wright Mills * Social Location; The group memberships that people have because their location in history and society
Influences
* External influences; are your experiences – becomes part of your attitude, thinking, and motivation * Internal influences; you inherited/naturally instilled ex. Instincts; knowledge of a greater power,ect. * Globalizing World influences and your own places in life.
Origins of Sociology
General Info * Sociology was born in social upheaval. (The industrial Revolution had just begun) * Sociology is the study of society and human behavior. * Scientific Method. The use of objectives, systematic observations to test theories * By applying the scientific method to questions about social life resulted in the birth of sociology.
Auguste Comte (1798-1857) * Credited as the founder of sociology * Stressed to apply Scientific Method to the study of society(s) * (Mental Mentality) Hands on Social Reformist but never personally applied his ideals
Herbert Spencer (1820-1903) * Called the second founder of Sociology * Believed societies go from a lower form to a higher form. Societies change from “barbarian” to “civilized” * Spencer came up with the principle “The Survival of the Fittest” * (Mental Mentality) Let society run its course. Against social reform.
Karl Marx (1818-1883) * Communist * He believed that society is made up of 2 social classes: the Bourgeoisie (capitalists, factories, machines) and the Proletariat (exploited workers) * Class Conflict; The conflict between these two natural enemies * Marx did not consider himself as a sociologists but his ideas have influenced many sociologists, particularly conflict theorists * Marxism is not the same as Communism
Emile Durkheim (1858-1917) * Recognize as a separate academic discipline * Showed how social forces affect people(s) behavior. To show this Durkheim did an interesting study on suicide rates. * Social Integration; The degree to which members of a group or a society feel united by shared values and other social bonds, also known as Social Cohesion * “ Human behavior cannot be understand only in terms of the individual , we must also examine the social forces that affect people(s) likes.”
Jane Addams (1860-1935) * Nobel prize for peace * Worked with Ellen G Starr * Founded Hull House * Leader in Women rights (Women Sufferage) as well as the peace movemrnt in World War I
Wright Mills (1916-1962) * Basic Sociology; Research for the purpose of making discoveries about life in human groups, not for making changes in those groups. * Applied sociology; using sociology to solve problems * Today, Wright Mills analysis of the role of the power elite in U.S society. Today, His analysis is taken for granted by many sociologists and members of the public. * Public Sociology; applying sociology for the public good, especially the use of the sociological perspectives.. to guide Politicians and policy making.