social facts
9/29/2013
1
SOCIOLOGY: A DEFINITION
Sociology is the scientific study of human activity in society.
More specifically, it is study of the social forces that affect human activities and behavior.
Social Forces are the human
-
created ways of doing things that influence, pressure, or force people to behave, interact with others, and think in specified ways.
SOCIAL FACTS
9/29/2013
1
SOCIOLOGY: A DEFINITION
Sociology is the scientific study of human activity in society.
More specifically, it is study of the social forces that affect human activities and behavior.
Social Forces are the human
-
created ways of doing things that influence, pressure, or force people to behave, interact with others, and think in specified ways.
SOCIAL FACTS
When are “facts” only true because we think they are true?
Social Facts are collectively imposed ways of thinking, feeling, or behaving that have ‘the remarkable property of existing outside the consciousness of the individual.”
1.
Social facts extend beyond the individuals who experience them.
2.
People feel compelled to comply with social facts.
That is, they have a coercive power.
3.
This power is rarely felt unless a person goes against the established ways of doing things9/29/2013
2
SOCIOLOGICAL IMAGINATION
a quality of the mind that allows us to understand the relationship between our particular situation in life and what is happening at a social level.
allows us to consider how outside forces, especially our time in history and the place we live, shape our biograph9/29/2013
3
STRUCTURAL
-
FUNCTIONAL
THEORY
1.
Stability
– the primary evaluative criterion of a social pattern is whether it contributes to the maintenance of society.
2.
Harmony
–
the parts of a society work harmoniously for the good of the whole.
3.
Evolution
–
social structures evolve and adapt to new needs and demands.
Functions
◦
C
onsequences of
1
SOCIOLOGY: A DEFINITION
Sociology is the scientific study of human activity in society.
More specifically, it is study of the social forces that affect human activities and behavior.
Social Forces are the human
-
created ways of doing things that influence, pressure, or force people to behave, interact with others, and think in specified ways.
SOCIAL FACTS
9/29/2013
1
SOCIOLOGY: A DEFINITION
Sociology is the scientific study of human activity in society.
More specifically, it is study of the social forces that affect human activities and behavior.
Social Forces are the human
-
created ways of doing things that influence, pressure, or force people to behave, interact with others, and think in specified ways.
SOCIAL FACTS
When are “facts” only true because we think they are true?
Social Facts are collectively imposed ways of thinking, feeling, or behaving that have ‘the remarkable property of existing outside the consciousness of the individual.”
1.
Social facts extend beyond the individuals who experience them.
2.
People feel compelled to comply with social facts.
That is, they have a coercive power.
3.
This power is rarely felt unless a person goes against the established ways of doing things9/29/2013
2
SOCIOLOGICAL IMAGINATION
a quality of the mind that allows us to understand the relationship between our particular situation in life and what is happening at a social level.
allows us to consider how outside forces, especially our time in history and the place we live, shape our biograph9/29/2013
3
STRUCTURAL
-
FUNCTIONAL
THEORY
1.
Stability
– the primary evaluative criterion of a social pattern is whether it contributes to the maintenance of society.
2.
Harmony
–
the parts of a society work harmoniously for the good of the whole.
3.
Evolution
–
social structures evolve and adapt to new needs and demands.
Functions
◦
C
onsequences of