Sociology Module 1 portage

Emile Durkheim (1858-1917)

Helped establish sociology as a formal academic disciple by establishing the first European department of sociology at the University of Bordeaux in 1895 and publishing Rules of the Sociological Method in 1895 You can determine if a society is healthy or pathological - health= stable, pathological = breakdown of social norms

dynamic equilibrium

In functionalism, a state where all parts work together to maintain stability

The key component of the sociological perspective is the idea that the _____________ and __________ are inseparable.

Individual, society

Types of functions in functionalism

Manifest functions Latent functions dysfunctions

Paradigms

Philosophical and theoretical frameworks used within a discipline to formulate theories, generalizations, and the experiments performed in support of them.

Macro level sociology

Study large groups and societies and interactions between them

Micro level sociology

Study small groups and individual interactions

Max Weber (1864-1920)

Verstehen: to understand in a deep way (to prevent cultural bias affecting those those who are doing the researching) The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism. The theory that Weber sets forth in this book is still controversial. Some believe that Weber argued that the beliefs of many Protestants, especially Calvinists, led to the rise of capitalism. Others interpret it as simply claiming that the ideologies of capitalism and Protestantism are complementary

Conflict theory

a macro level framework in which society is viewed as composed of groups that are competing for scarce resources inequalities contribute to differences and perpetuate power

Structural Functionalism

a macro level framework positing that each element of society serves a particular function to keep the entire system in equilibrium Social institutions like organs - keep the body functioning

Symbolic interactionism

a micro-level theory in which shared meanings, orientations, and assumptions form the basic motivations behind people's actions

Criticisms of Conflict thoery

conflict theory has been criticized because it tends to focus on conflict to the exclusion of recognizing stability. Many social structures are extremely stable or have gradually progressed over time rather than changing abruptly as conflict theory would suggest.

To a sociologist, the personal decisions an individual makes do not exist in a vacuum. _______________ social forces and influences put pressure on people to select one choice over another. Sociologists try to identify these general ___________ by examining the behavior of large groups of people living in the same society and experiencing the same societal pressures.

cultural patterns patterns

Constructivism

extension of symbolic interaction theory which proposes that reality is what humans cognitively construct it to be.

George Herbert Mead (1863-1931)

focused on the ways in which the mind and the self were developed as a result of social processes Though Mead adopted Cooley's concept of 'looking-glasses,' Mead felt that an individual's reaction to a positive or negative reflection depended on who the 'other' was. Individuals that had the greatest impact on a person's life were significant others while generalized others were the organized and generalized attitude of a social group.

Criticisms of functionalism

it can't adequately explain social change even though the functions are processes circular nature of this theory: repetitive behavior patterns are assumed to have a function, yet we profess to know that they have a function only because they are repeated. dysfunctions may continue, even though they don't serve a function, which seemingly contradicts the basic premise of the theory.

Charles Horton Cooley (1864-1929)

known for his theory of the "looking-glass self." The self concept is in a constant state of assessment. We check ourselves against social standards - when someone reacts positively to our behavior we continue it

W.E.B. Du Bois (1868-1963)

pioneered the use of rigorous empirical methodology into sociology. Du Bois also played a prominent role in the effort to increase rights for Black people. Niagara Movement

The different approaches to research based on positivism or anti-positivism are often considered the foundation for the differences found today between ___________ sociology and _______________ sociology.

quantitive and qualitative

Culture definition

refers to the group's shared practices, values, and beliefs

Qualitative sociology

seeks to understand human behavior by learning about it through in-depth interviews, focus groups, and analysis of content sources (like books, magazines, journals, and popular media).

While people experience religion in a distinctly individual manner, religion exists in a larger social context as a ___________ _______________. For instance, an individual's religious practice may be influenced by what government dictates, holidays, teachers, places of worship, rituals, and so on.

social institution

suicide is generally considered an individual phenomenon, Émile Durkheim was interested in studying the social factors that affect it. He studied __________ ___________, social ties within a group, and hypothesized that differences in suicide rates might be explained by religious differences.

social solidarity

Three paradigms that dominate sociological thinking

structural functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism.

Sociological imagination

the awareness of a relationship between a persons behavior and experience and the wider culture that shaped that person's choices and perceptions.

Manifest functions:

the consequences of a social process that are sought or anticipated i.e. college - learning, finding jobs, etc

Figuration

the process of simultaneously analyzing the behavior of individuals and the society that shapes behavior

Sociology Definition

the scientific and systematic study of groups and group interactions, societies, and social interactions, from small and personal groups to very large groups.

In sociology, a _____________ is a way to explain different aspects of social interactions and to create a testable proposition, called a ______________, about society

theory Hypothesis

Quantitative sociology

uses statistical methods such as surveys with large numbers of participants. Researchers analyze data using statistical techniques to see if they can uncover patterns of human behavior.

dramaturgical analysis,

viewing social interaction as a theatrical performance with cultural "scripts."

Karl Marx (1818-1883)

1. Scientific socialist who coauthored "The Communist Manifesto" 2. Believed that the history of class conflict is best understood through the dialectical process of thesis, antithesis, and synthesis 3. Contended that a class struggle between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat would lead "to the dictatorship of the proletariat," which in turn would be a transitional phase leading to a classless society Capitalism would fail, the gap between workers and owners would become so great that the people would revolt and communism would step in.

Society definition

A group of people who live in a defined geographic area, who interact with one another and share common culture

Harriet Martineau (1802-1876)

A social activist who traveled the United States and wrote about social changes. Translated Comte's work into English. Largely discounted because she was a woman. She spoke of capitalism being at odds with moral principles of US All are equal was at odds with lack of women's rights

Robert E. Park (1864-1944)

Founder of Social Ecology focused on how individuals lived within their environment. esearched the inner city to show that no matter who lived there, social chaos was prevalent. As such, it was not the residents who caused the chaos but the environment.

Critical thoery

Critical theory is an expansion of conflict theory and is broader than just sociology, incorporating other social sciences and philosophy. A critical theory is a holistic theory and attempts to address structural issues causing inequality. It must explain what's wrong in current social reality, identify the people who can make changes, and provide practical goals for social transformation

Symbolic Interactionist theory

Definition: A micro-level theory focusing on relationships among individuals within society, emphasizing communication through language and symbols to understand social worlds. Humans interact with things based on meanings ascribed to them. Meanings arise from social interactions. Meanings are interpreted in specific contexts.

Conflict Theory

Definition: Conflict theory is a macro-level theory that focuses on the struggles between different social groups competing for resources and power. Key Idea: Society is characterized by inequality and conflict, leading to changes and social progress as groups compete for power and resources. Example: The gap between rich and poor can lead to social tensions and conflicts, which can drive changes in laws and policies to address inequality.

Functionalism

Definition: Functionalism is a macro-level theory that views society as a complex system with various parts working together to promote stability and order. Key Idea: Each part of society serves a function that contributes to the overall stability and functioning of the whole. Example: Institutions like family, education, and religion play roles in maintaining social order by teaching values and norms.

Symbolic Interactionist Theory

Definition: Symbolic interactionism is a micro-level theory that focuses on the interactions among individuals and the meanings they create through these interactions. Key Idea: People act based on the meanings they ascribe to things, and these meanings are shaped through social interactions. Example: The value someone places on education might come from positive experiences and interactions with teachers, family, and peers who emphasize its importance.

Jane Addams (1860-1935)

Founder of Hull House - served needy immigrants through social and educational programs while providing extensive opportunities for sociological research. Research conducted at Hull House informed child labor, immigration, health care, and other areas of public policy.

Herbert Spencer (1858-1917)

Rejected Comte's positivism and Marx's communism Favored a form of government that allowed market forces to control capitalism. - comparable to Darwin's natural selection

Symbolic interactionist theory criticism

Research done from this perspective is often scrutinized because of the difficulty of remaining objective. Others criticize the extremely narrow focus on symbolic interaction. Proponents, of course, consider this one of its greatest strengths.

Dysfunctions

Social processes that have undesirable consequences for the operation of society i.e. college - Bad grades, truancy, not graduating, etc

August Comte (1798-1857)

Take natural sciences and apply methods to social sciences! POSITIVISM: Revealing laws of society can usher in positivist age

Social facts

The laws, morals, values, religious beliefs, customs, fashions, rituals, and cultural rules that govern social life

Function in functionalism

The part it played in social life as a whole, and therefore the contribution it makes to social stability and continuity

Reification

an error of treating an abstract concept as though it has a real, material existence

latent functions

are the unsought consequences of a social process. i.e. college - extracurricular activities, finding spouse