Intro 1 Student

Introduction to Sociology 1: What is Sociology?

Two Different Kinds of Science

All sciences seek the highest possible measure of objectivity in research through the use of ________________________________________________________.

While this is the general rule for all sciences, there is a difference in how this plays out in the various disciplines.

For this reason, science is divided into two categories: the _______________ sciences and the _____________ sciences.

Natural Science

natural science = “the study of the ____________________ features of nature and the ways in which they interact and change” (6) life forms = biology animals = zoology plants = botany human body = anatomy rocks = geology fossils = paleontology stars/planets = astronomy
Social Science

Social sciences focus on “the ________________ features of humans and the ways in which they interact and change” (6).

Psychology Anthropology Sociology Political Science Economics History

Sometimes grouped under “_________________________________________.”

Sometimes there is considerable ____________________.

The Issue of Objectivity

While natural sciences tend to deal physical things ______________________, social sciences often deal with more ______________________ factors and their results.
Such factors include: the human mind, “society,” “culture,” “politics,” and historical reconstructions.
While social sciences maintain their commitment to __________________________________, measuring such factors is not always an entirely objective exercise.
Sociology

___________________________ = “the scientific study of social behavior and human groups” (5).

Focuses on social relationships and society as a whole, and ___________________________
__________________________________________________________________________.

Sociologists are concerned with ________________________________ of society: the “everyday” realities as well as social deviance and social change.

Assuming that you are somewhat unfamiliar with sociology, you will notice throughout this semester that sociologists are concerned with issues and events that you may _________________
_____________________________________________________.

Also, many of your beliefs about social behavior may rest on stereotypes or “common sense” ideas that _______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________.

It is the job of the sociologist to see the social implications of everything from traffic patterns to fast food franchises to the religious orientations of voters.

The “Sociological Imagination”

A particular _________________________________ – a way of viewing society.

Defined as “an ___________________________________ of the relationship between an individual and the wider society” (5).

This involves the ability to observe the links between individuals and society in a _______________________________ way.

This also involves being able to see with a _________________________ perspective that recognizes the wider ____________________________________________________.

Historical Development

Since early times, several people throughout history have recorded observations on society and social behavior.

“Man by nature is a political animal” (Aristotle).

The Middle Ages brought an emphasis on learning, and the Protestant Reformation (15th century) opened the door to _________________________________________.

The Ideal of the Middle Ages: “The Holy Roman Empire”

RESULT = “an age uniquely open to religious argumentation” (Dr. Maxie Burch)

IN OTHER WORDS, the worldview was distinctly religious and people did not think or act outside of religious authority. This arrangement disintegrates with the _________________________________________ (16th century) Reformation >>> “face to face with God” [Weber] >>> Enlightenment >>> “free thinking” >>> __________________________________ >>> _______________________________

Eventually, we get people who are _____________________________________________ and universities that exist apart from religious authority.

Historical Development

Beginning with history and economics, the disciplines began to emerge as ________________
____________________________________________________________________.

Sociology originated ___________________________________________________________
____________________________ that came with the ________________________________
________________________________________________:

The worldwide population went from 730 million in 1750 to 1 billion by 1850.

Machines began to replace labor as technology increased.

An increase in _______________________________ created social problems as more people grew to _______________________________________________________________:

substance abuse violence theft due to desperation unemployment & poverty homelessness

Such issues demanded research and sociology was originally _________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.

During the 19th century, several thinkers began to originate what would eventually become the discipline of sociology.

Early Thinkers

Auguste Comte (1798-1857)

Philosopher interested in the development of a “theoretical science of society.”

First to come up with “________________________” as a concept, but never really did much with it.

Wanted to see the creation of such a science as ______________________________ ____________________________________________________________________.

Harriet Martineau (1802-1876)

Translated Comte’s writings.

Studied society in both Britain and the U.S.

Wrote ______________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________.

Society in America and How to Observe Morals and Methodology.

Her research was motivated by __________________________________________.

Herbert Spencer (1820-1903)

Not an activist – Spencer only wanted to observe and understand.

Applied the theory of evolution to society and _______________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________.

Of course, Spencer’s theories proved popular with the dominant majority because ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.

Social Darwinism produced a type of _______________________ – since Spencer’s social processes were inevitable, why should anyone work to change things?

The Classical Theorists

Émile Durkheim (1858-1917)

One of the first sociology professors in France.

Rejected the idea that human behavior could be understood in individualistic terms, instead insisting that it must be understood ___________________________________
__________________________________________________________________.

Passionately committed to ______________________________________________.

Authored a landmark study on suicide that correlated rates of suicide with social groups.

Was mainly interested in _________________________________________, and theorized religion as a kind of “moral glue” holding society together.

Also interested in how industrialization produces increasing alienation and isolation within society.

_____________________ = “normlessness”/detachment.

Max Weber (1864-1920)

German sociology professor.

Believed that sociologists must incorporate the subjective perspectives and experiences of their subjects into their research.

Emphasized the factors of ______________________________________________.

_________________________________ = a model for evaluating and measuring specific cases.

Linked Puritan religion with the rise of capitalism.

Karl Marx (1818-1883)

Had a pessimistic view of western capitalist societies.

Focused on __________________________________, theorizing that those with the power and ownership dominated and manipulated the common worker. Thus, society is marked by ____________________________.

Marx theorized that the workers would eventually overthrow the elite, producing a society characterized by utopian equality (_________________________________).

Wrote the Communist Manifesto with Engels.

Important Theorists

Charles Horton Cooley (1864-1929)

Began in ________________________________.

Used the sociological perspective to investigate ______________________________ in order to understand society better.

Conceptualized the “_____________________________________________,” which emphasized the individual’s capacity for self-reflection and the relationship between how we see ourselves and how others see us.

The Chicago School (1890-1920)

Began at the University of Chicago with researchers like Robert E. Park, Ernest W. Burgess, and Louis Wirth.

Originated 1890-1920; Popular until the late 1950’s.

Relied heavily on George Herbert Mead’s idea of ___________________________
_____________________________________________________.

“______________________________________” – focused on the city.

Saw the city as having a center, around which are built definable and predictable ___________________________________________________________.

In reaction to the typical (subjective) sociology of the day, this perspective used _________________________________________________________________.

Jane Addams (1860-1935)

Political activist and pioneer _____________________________________ who used her research to work for social equality.

Dealt with issues involving race, gender, and the poor.

Won the Nobel Prize for her founding of __________________________, a halfway house designed to help orphans, widows, the poor and homeless, and immigrants.

Robert Merton (1910-2003)

Harvard educated sociologist who taught at Columbia University. Successfully _________________________________________________________.

Originated a __________________________________ to explain deviant behavior.

Emphasized the integration of “macro” and “micro” approaches to sociology.

The Macro/Micro Debate

An ongoing debate within sociology concerning where one should ___________________ in order to adequately __________________________________________________________.

________________________________________ = begins with the big picture by focusing on large-scale features of society.

________________________________________ = attempts to understand society by beginning at the bottom – i.e., with smaller factors like small groups or the interaction between individuals.

Important Theorists

Pierre Bourdieu (1930-2002)

One of many non-American sociologists who have been influential in recent years.

French sociologist.

______________________ theorist who researched capital in Algeria.

__________________________ = material goods + immaterial factors.

The Major Perspectives

_____________________________________ (Durkheimian)

A _____________ approach that regards everything as _______________________.

Society’s parts are structured in such a way that society remains generally ________________________.

Dominated early 1930s to early 1960s.

Major theorists: Durkheim; Talcott Parsons; Merton.

Individuals are _____________________________ to perform societal functions and operate ___________________________________________________.

Social change is seen as “predictable and reinforcing.”

Merton conceptualized everything in society as having two types of functions:

a ___________________________ (intended) function.

a ________________________ (unintended) function.

also, sometimes ____________________________________ prevails.

___________________________ Tradition

Another ___________________ approach that sees all of society as characterized by tension/struggle between groups.

As a result, society is marked by ________________________________.

Popular: 1960s-1980s.

Major Theorists: Marx; C. Wright Mills; W.E.B. DuBois.

Marxism (Marx & Engels):

Individuals are manipulated by the system in the interest of the status quo.

Conflict is based on class and economics is all that matters.

Capitalism is bad.

Social order is preserved ___________________________.

Max Weber:

Marxism is too _______________________________.

The conflict in society occurs on many levels and is based on 3 factors: class, status, and power.

Capitalism is ok.

Ethnic: Du Bois

Conflict seen in terms of ______________.

Helped found the ______________________.

Feminist Perspective:

Conflict seen in terms of __________________________.

Recent Perspectives:

_________________________________________

C. Wright Mills: the “____________________________________________”

Wallerstein: ___________________________________________________

__________________________________________________

A _______________ approach that emphasizes ______________________________ as the key to both individual and social development.

Society is “Active in influencing and affecting everyday social interaction” (17).

Especially interested in ___________________________: language; body language; gestures; facial expressions.

Popular in the U.S. early 1900’s-early 1930’s.

Major Theorists: George Herbert Mead; Charles Cooley; Erving Goffman.

Individuals are constantly interpreting and manipulating symbols, _______________ their social world through interaction.

We each construct a __________________________________ that infuses life with meaning and gives us the conceptual tools to interpret reality.

“_________________________________________________________________.”

Social order is preserved through an unspoken shared understanding of everyday behavior.

_______________________________________________________

Basic ideas show up in British philosophy (1700’s-1800’s), ethics (Bentham), political theory (Locke; Mill), and economics (Adam Smith).

Shows up in sociology in exchange theory (1950s), rational choice theory (1970s-1980s), and public policy theory (1990s).

Basic Premise: people are motivated by what produces pleasure (“good”) and repelled by what produces pain (“bad”). _____________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________.

Society results from individuals making exchanges __________________________
______________________________________________________________________.

Major Theorists: Homans; Blau; Coleman.

FUNCTIONALIST (Durkheimian)

Macro

Individuals function according to ______________________ values instilled through ______________________.

CONFLICT

Macro

Individuals are ______________________ by elite powers and kept from thinking for themselves.

(Micro) INTERACTIONIST

Micro

Individuals ______________________ the ___________________ around them and ______________________ their own reality.

RATIONAL/
UTILITARIAN

Micro

Individuals make ______________________ decisions out of ______________________ through cost/benefit analyses.

Sociology in Practice

Sociologists, utilizing careful research, attempt to develop ______________________ that ______________________________________________________ human behavior within a social context.

Sociological theories should not be taken as the final word, but as important foundations for further research.

Some sociologists set forth ______________________________ theories, while others argue for _____________________________ approaches.

3 Types of Sociology

________________________ sociology = use of sociology to find practical applications for individuals and/or organizations.

___________________________ sociology = seeks to bring about change by altering relationships or restructuring organizations.

_________________ sociology = seeks a more profound knowledge of social factors – more academic and theoretical.

Concluding Summary

Sociology is the social science that investigates social relationships and society at large.

Sociological investigation requires a certain perspective = the “sociological imagination.”

Several important thinkers contributed to the rise of sociology, especially the classical theorists: Durkheim, Weber, and Marx.

The major theoretical frameworks of sociology are: functionalist, conflict, interactionist, and rational/utilitarian.