Sociology Theory
Altruistic suicide involves a person giving their life for a social group
Durkheim
Functionalism
Durkheim
If division of labor is pushed too far (too specialized), feelings of oneness is thwarted as overspecialization makes people feel isolated
Durkheim
Over specialization and when rules become too rigid >>> anomie
Durkheim
Religion consists of two categories - beliefs (thoughts) and rites (actions)
Durkheim
Sacred vs. profane
Durkheim
Social solidarity
Durkheim
Suicide: A Study in Sociology
Durkheim
Religion consists of two categories
beliefs (thoughts) and rites (actions)
What did Gilman seek to explain?
how the roles of men and women came about in society and why societies develop gender inequalities
alienation from themselves
the individual is not in touch with his or her creative nature or "species being"
According to Marx what events would follow a revolution?
The abolishment of private property With the abolishment of private property society would temporarily would go into a period of socialism. During this period social classes were no longer exist and along with them class conflict and alienation. In absence of class conflict society would then transitioned into a communist utopian society. Without class conflict there is no longer social change
According to Durkheim what is the main focus of sociology?
The task of sociology is to analyze social facts that shape individual behavior What distinguishes sociology from philosophy is that social facts can be systematically analyzed.
proletariat
The working class, must sell their labor in order to live, oppressed by the capitalists, subject to the demand of production
What is sociological theory?
Theories help to organize and explain observations and facts. This interpretation is based on our previous experiences and assumptions. Theories "explain and predict" and are "testable and falsifiable"
How did Gilman view the relationship between individual action and social structure?
There are outside factors and socialization that create social structure. However individual action can change structure and socialization.
calling
a belief that came out of the Reformation, which is based on the idea that individuals should methodically strive in their everyday activities to live a moral life God's commandment to work for His divine glory
How did Gilman incorporate multiple perspectives?
a focus on the economic and political factors behind gender inequality that drew from concepts of Marx, an examination of how gender differences are reinforced from a symbolic interactionist perspective, and a sociobiological or evolutionary understanding of gender differences
Anomie
a lack of moral regulation the consequences of excessive specialization of the division of labor. This was seen as an abnormal condition rather than a normal part of a capitalist society.
rationalization
an ongoing process in which social interaction and institutions become increasingly governed by methodical procedures and calculable rules, leading to a displacement of traditions and emotions along with a disenchantment of the world charismatic leaders can change
Collective conscience or collective representations
are common or collective beliefs shared by people in a society
Disadvantages of bureaucracies
create elite classes loss of individual freedom do not take into account special circumstances
charisma authority
demands for obedience are legitimated by the leader's "gift of grace" which is demonstrated through extraordinary feats, acts of heroism or revelations
Anomic suicide
derives from a lack of moral direction
What according to Marx would lead to destruction of capitalism?
economic deficiencies and social injustices inherent to capitalism
social facts
external conditions that affect an individual's behavior By systematically analyzing social facts patterns can be uncovered
iron cage
individuals are trapped in the rationalization and disenchantment of Western society
The four types of social action
instrumental - rational action, value - rational action, traditional action and affective action
Altruistic suicide
involves a person giving their life for a social group
Instrumental - rational action
involves in analyzing the advantages and disadvantages related to the possible means for achieving a goal
bourgeoise
middle class owners of capital control the means of production
Parties
not necessarily made of individuals with the same class or status group interests, but have the same goals and are orchestrated by staff in order to implement their goals
collective
patterns in society are due to pre-existing social structures
the types of legitimate domination
rational - legal authority, traditional authority, and charismatic authority
profane
symbols are part of the everyday world
sacred
symbols are set apart from the everyday world holy
Who are sociology's core theorists?
•Auguste Comte (1798 - 1857): Society or "Social Physics" could be examined using the same techniques that were used with natural sciences. Through this method sociologists could discover the rational laws of society. •Emile Durkheim (1858 - 1917): He was one of the most important individuals to influence sociology. Unlike psychology, sociology is concerned with the external factors that affect an individual rather than the internal. The main focus is a methodical assessment of the "social facts", however subjective elements are what ultimately owns the structure of society together. •Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712 - 1778): Counter-Enlightenment ideology favors tradition and rituals over progress in technology. Concerns related to Enlightenment were the fast growth of industrialization, urbanization, and bureaucratization. A key element is the importance of subjective components rather than objective. •Karl Marx (1818 - 1883): He and assessed the economic, moral and social components or problems related to capitalism. •Max Weber (1864 - 1920): He viewed physical condition and ideas systems of society from a scientific perspective. Charlotte Perkins Gilman (1860-1935): gender inequality Georg Simmel (1858-1918): uncover the basic forms of social interaction, such as "exchange" "conflict" and "domination", individuals strive both to conform to social groups and to distinguish themselves from others
Alienation is inherent in capitalism
Marx
Value-rational action
when an action serves as an end for itself
sociobiological
women and men have different biological principles that influence their behavior, such as love and concern for others for women and combative nature in men. This idea creates a problem in that it assumes that women should be the primary caretaker of children.
protestant ethic
working hard ensures your salvation In order for individuals to continually strive for success and profits, people should employ methodical processes and rational planning. As a byproduct of the change to a capitalist society, religion is no longer at the forefront and instead material goods become important to an individual's identity.
symbolic interactionist perspective in Gilman
young age girls are thought to think and behave differently from boys (gender socialization). For example, the color blue has come to symbolize boys and pink symbolizes girls. In addition, different types of toys are targeted at boys and girls.
Verstehen
"interpretive understanding" of the motivations that influence an individual's behavior This view is vastly different from other founders of sociology, who thought that there were universal laws that apply to all societies.
Durkheim's three key points about the field of sociology
1. sociology is a distinct field of study 2. although the social sciences are distinct from the natural the same methods can be applied. 3. sociology is distinct from psychology
classes (Marx)
A core concept of Marx's work is class struggles. The distinguishing factor between the classes is access to the forces of production.
alienation from the product
A worker does not have control over how the product is sold and the individual is dependent on the product for survival
alienation from the process
A worker has very little control over the process in that he or she becomes subject to the demands of production and is a cog in the machine
Problems in Gilman's work
Along with her evolutionary views of gender differences, Gilman held a racist "survival of the fittest" view. Her ideas of gender differences were based on the experiences of white women, for example African-American women tend to have a stronger focus on community.
alienation from others
Due to these other types of alienation an individual is alienated from others and becomes a commodity that can be bought and sold
Division of Labor in Society
Durkheim
Egoism (lack of integration of individuals into social groups) and anomie (lack of moral regulation/direction) are chronic in modern industrial societies
Durkheim
Mechanical solidarity is based on likeness and is characteristic in traditional societies. Participating in the same tasks results in a feeling of oneness and a shared system of meaning
Durkheim
Organic solidarity is based on specialization and is characteristic in modern industrial societies. Feelings of oneness comes from interdependence based on specialization
Durkheim
Sought to explain what held societies and social groups together
Durkheim
The Elementary Forms of Religious Life
Durkheim
The task of sociology is to analyze social facts that shape individual behavior
Durkheim
What is chronic in modern industrial societies?
Egoism (lack of integration of individuals into social groups) and anomie (lack of moral regulation/direction)
Significant features of Weber's ideal bureaucracy
First, authority is hierarchically structured, making for a clear chain of command. Second, selection of personnel is competitive and is based on demonstrated merit. Third, a specialized division of the labor allows for more efficient completion of assigned tasks. Fourth, bureaucracies are governed by formal, impersonal rules that regulate all facets of the organization.
How do Weber and Marx in differ in terms of ideas about class?
For Marx an individual's class position was due to the power to realize class interests. While Weber saw class position as relating to multiple factors, including economic classes, status groups, and political parties.
Consequence of too much division of labor
If division of labor is pushed too far (too specialized), feelings of oneness is thwarted as overspecialization makes people feel isolated
Women and Economics
In traditional division of labor women do not have freedom since they are economically dependent on men. Also, the labor a women engages in is not her own, because she receives her social status from her husband. There is not a direct economic exchange for the amount of domestic work, a woman completes. In fact the women that complete the most domestic work often have the least economic means. For example, wealthy women can afford to hire maids and nannies. A majority of the work women complete is not related to childbearing, but rather home services such as cleaning and cooking Women are like horses in that they are both subject to someone with greater power, in the case of women, their husbands. Instead of cultivating their strengths women are encouraged to deny their talents and search for a husband.
How is alienation a necessary feature of capitalism?
Labor simply becomes a means for survival, instead of an end in itself, where an individual can express his or her creative nature and connect to others.
Marx's ideas about money
Money has the capability to transform the characteristics of an individual in that it can be exchanged for traits such as beauty, talent, and honesty. Money is the alienating ability mankind that bonds us to others and life itself, not through innate qualities, but through what we have the power to buy
Bourgeoisie
Marx
Capitalism is inherently exploitative
Marx
Class consciousness is vital in sparking a revolution
Marx
Class struggle is the catalyst for social change
Marx
Competition between capitalists >>> increase in production >>> over-production and declining profits >>> mergers and closures >>> shrinking size of capitalist class >>> growing ranks of proletariat >>> development of class consciousness
Marx
Conflict perspective
Marx
False consciousness >>> the poor factory conditions in which the worker endures on a daily basis (among other factors) >>> class consciousness
Marx
Forms of alienation: from process, from product, from self (species being), and from others
Marx
Money is the alienating ability mankind that bonds us to others and life itself, not through innate qualities, but through what we have the power to buy
Marx
Private ownership of means of production >>> class domination and exploitation
Marx
Private ownership of means of production reduces role of worker to that of a "cog in a machine"
Marx
Proletariat
Marx
Revolution >>> socialism >>> production of goods that are collectively controlled and individuals are free to cultivate their natural talents
Marx
Superstructure
Marx
The Communist Manifesto
Marx
Class Weber
People who share life chances
What leads to the alienation of workers?
Private ownership of the means of production Along with their labor so workers sell themselves
Why read original works?
Secondary text change when the authors said and therefore may skew the author's intended meaning However secondary texts may provide a useful contextual background
How are Gilman and Marx related?
Similar to Marx's view that capitalism exploits workers, Gilman believed that the traditional family structure exploited women. The structure is exploitative in that women are dependent on men a woman's social status is based on her husband.
What is the main interest of each of the classes?
The main interest for the capitalists is maintaining their social position, which is carried out through competition for market dominance. While the main interest of the proletarian class is survival.
How do the ideas of Weber and Marx differ?
Weber- over rationalization main problem, focus on ideas not just economics
Traditional action
action is completed out of habit or long-standing custom
Affective action
action out of impulsivity or display of unchecked emotions
The four different types of alienation
alienation from the process, alienation from the product, alienation from others, and alienation from themselves
superstructure
all the forces outside of economics that affect individuals
class conciouness
an awareness on the part of the working class of its relationship to the means of production. Key to sparking a revolution where there is a dictatorship of the proletariat. This develops when Individuals arriving from the upper-class cause an influx in the population of the proletarian and bring with them a higher level of education.
Rational
based on external influences and "maximizing the rewards while minimizing the cost"
Nonrational
based on internal influences and morals action motivated by ideals, values, morals, tradition, habits, or emotional states
Mechanical solidarity
based on likeness and is characteristic in traditional societies. Participating in the same tasks results in a feeling of oneness and a shared system of meaning
Organic solidarity
based on specialization and is characteristic in modern industrial societies. Feelings of oneness comes from interdependence based on specialization In order for there to be solidarity the work in individual completes must be in line with his or her abilities and interests.
Rational - legal authority
based on the role of rationally established laws. Obedience is owed not to the person who exercises authority, but to the office or position in which authority is vested.
What is the catalyst for social change?
class struggle classes are pitted against each other in a struggle to control the means of production, the distribution of resources and profits
Status groups
communities that are defined by lifestyles and honor and control social interaction. the greatest distinguishing factor is occupation
What is the key function of religion according to Durkheim?
connect individuals within groups
Corset metaphor
constrains growth and restricts behavior Gilman's metaphor of the corsets that constrains women is related to Marx's idea of false consciousness in that inequality exists, but the individual or in this case women are not aware of the inequality. In addition, Gilman thought that this lack of consciousness may be due to the safety and familiarity of the social constraint.
Main ideas of the yellow wallpaper
constraints placed on women from developing their minds and bodies, in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, would drive a woman to insanity On a rational level, women were not able to do with they pleased and on a non-rational level women were encouraged not to think
ideal types
constructs which can be used to compare real-life cases are used because everyday behavior is often influenced by more than one type of social action
Egoism
lack of integration of individuals into social groups
The iron law of oligarchy
large scale organizations develop into hierarchical bureaucracies
traditional authority
leadership is attained on the basis of impersonally measured merit, but on lines of heredity or rites of passage. Subjects owe their allegiance not to bureaucratically impose rules and laws that are open to change, but to their personal "master" was demand for compliance and loyalty are legitimated by sacred, inviolable traditions
Why are bureaucracies necessary?
tasks could not be performed with the efficiency required for serving a larger number of people
Legitimacy
the belief systems on which valid commands issuing from authority figures are based
Social solidarity
the cohesion of social groups From the perspective of Durkheim without it societies cannot exist
means or forces of production
the raw materials, technology, machines, factories and land that are necessary for production of goods ownership of lack there of is what distinguishes class
According to Weber the main task of sociologists is
understand the meaning individuals assign to the contexts in which they are acting and the consequences that meanings have for their conduct.
individual
views society as less concrete product of interactions between people, which are capable of changing the social order patterns of social life seen as emerging from ongoing interaction