The Sociological Perspective
The sociological perspective - opens a
window onto unfamiliar worlds, and offers
a fresh look at familiar worlds.
It enables one to gain a new vision of social
life.
It examines how group membership
influences behavior.
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The Sociological Perspective
This perspective allows us to examine society -
a group of people who share a culture and a
territory.
Social location allows sociologists to
understand behavior by examining the location
in which they belong.
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Sociology and the Other Sciences
Science- systematic A useful way of
methods used to study comparing these
the social and natural sciences is to divide
worlds. them into the natural
Sociology- the and the social
scientific study of sciences.
society and human
behavior.
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Sociology and the Other Sciences
Natural Sciences- Social Sciences-
the intellectual and examine human
academic disciplines relationships in an
designed to comprehend, attempt to objectively
explain, and predict the understand the social
events in our natural world.
environment.
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The Goals of Science
1- To explain why 3- To predict what
something happens. will happen in the
future.
Scientists rely on
2- To make
systematic studies to
generalizations that
move beyond
go beyond the
common sense- those
individual case.
ideas that prevail.
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The Origins of Sociology
Sociology is a very The American and
new discipline. French Revolutions
It grew out of encouraged new
upheaval during the thought.
Industrial Revolution. Scientists began
applying the scientific
method to real world
problems.
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Auguste Comte
“The Father of Sociology”
Positivism proposed His aim for sociology
the idea of applying was to reform society.
the scientific method Comte believed we
to social life. must observe society
Comte called this new in order to uncover it’s
science “sociology” - fundamental laws.
the study of society.
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Herbert Spencer
“Social Darwinism”
Spencer disagreed Over time, societies
with Comte that improve.
reform should be the The fittest members
goal. will produce an
Spencer believed no advanced society.
one should intervene
in the evolution of
society.
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Karl Marx
Marx stated that the The struggle between
engine of human the classes would end
history is class only when the
conflict. proletariat revolted.
He claimed there is a The result would be a
strong conflict classless society.
between the Marxism is not
bourgeoisie and the communism.
proletariat.
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Emile Durkheim
Durkheim’s goal was The key factor in
to recognize sociology suicide is social
as an academic integration.
discipline. Those with weaker
He studied suicide ties are most likely to
rates. commit suicide.
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Max Weber
Weber did not believe
economics was the Weber found that
force of social change. Protestant beliefs led
Religion was the key. to the growth of
The Protestant ethic Capitalism.
- the belief that Religion was the
working hard would central factor in the
please God. rise of Capitalism.
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The Role of Values in Social
Research
Weber claimed Sociologists stress
sociology should replication- repeating
remain value free - a study by other
when values should researchers to compare
not affect research. results.
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Verstehen and Social Facts
Verstehen- “to grasp Social Facts- patterns
by insight.” of behavior that
The best interpreter of characterize a social
human action is group.
someone who “has Each pattern reflects
been there.” some condition of
society.
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Sexism in Early Sociology
In the 1800’s, women were assigned the
roles of wife and mother.
Higher education was reserved for men.
Those few who did attain degrees were
often ignored.
Harriet Martineau - she had to hide her
early research for fear that she would be
seen as “masculine.”
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Sociology in North America
Jane Addams - she W.E.B. DuBois -
co-founded the Hull was the first African
House in Chicago. American to earn a
She opened the house doctorate at Harvard.
for those who needed He helped to found the
refuge. NAACP.
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Sociology in North America
Talcott Parsons- C. Wright Mills- he
developed abstract urged sociologists to
models of society. get back to social
He showed how parts of reform.
society harmoniously He saw the power elite
work together. as an imminent threat
to freedom.
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The Debate Over Basic Versus
Applied Sociology
Some sociologists believe their role is to analyze
society and publish results.
Others feel sociologists have an obligation to
make society a better place.
Somewhere between we have applied sociology -
the use of sociology to solve problems.
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Theoretical Perspectives in
Sociology
Theory - a general Sociologists use three
statement about how main theories:
some parts of the 1) symbolic
world fit together. interactionism
An explanation of how 2) functional
two or more facts are analysis
related to one another. 3) conflict theory
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Symbolic Interactionism
Studies how people use symbols to establish
meaning, develop views of the world, and
communicate.
Our behaviors depend on the way we define
ourselves and others.
Symbolic Interactionists study face to face
interactions and relationships.
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Functional Analysis
The central idea is that society is a whole unit,
made up of interrelated parts that work together.
Like an organism, if society is to function
smoothly, its parts must work together in
harmony.
When all parts fulfill their functions, society is in a
“normal” state.
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Conflict Theory
States that society is composed of groups engaged
in fierce competition for scarce resources.
People in positions of authority try to enforce
conformity, which, in turn, creates resentment and
resistance.
The result is a constant struggle.
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Levels of Analysis:
Macro and Micro
Functionalists and Symbolic
Conflict theorists Interactionists focus
focus on the macro on the micro level -
level - large scale social interaction in
patterns of society. small scale patterns.
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Trends Shaping the Future of
Sociology
One major trend A second trend,
occurred post World globalization- the
War II, when it breaking down of
became obvious that national boundaries,
sociology greatly will force us to
impacted education. recognize global
issues.
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End
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