Sociology Unit 1

What is sociology?

The systematic study of society and social interaction.

Auguste Comte

Coined positivism and is considered the Father of sociology.

Karl Marx

Believed social change comes from class struggles; favored Communism

Émile Durkheim

Believed people rise in society based on merit and individual capabilities meritocracy

Max Weber

Advocated for antipositivism —understanding human behavior through a subjective lens.

C. Wright Mills

Introduced sociological Imagination —understanding personal experiences in relation to society and history.

Structural Functionalism

Society as interrelated parts that work together to meet needs.

Conflict Theory

Society is in conflict for limited resources

Symbolic Interactionism

Focus on symbols and daily interactions.

Paradigm

A framework for building theories and conducting research.

Figuration

The process of analyzing individuals and society as inseparable

Verstehen

To understand in a deep way

Social Facts

Cultural rules that govern life (laws, customs, beliefs)

Macro-level

Large-scale social systems

Mirco-level

Small group or individual interactions

Manifest Function

Intended, visible purpose

Latent Function

Hidden or unintended result

Qualitative

Uses interviews, observations, content analysis.

Quantitative

Uses numerical data, surveys, statistics

Scientific Method in order

1. Ask a question

2. Research existing sources

3. Formulate a hypothesis

4. Design and conduct a study

5. Draw conclusions

6. Report results

Hypothesis

A testable proposition.

Independent Variable

The cause or factor being manipulated.

Dependent Variable

The effect or outcome being measured.

Survey

Collect data via questionnaires/interviews.

Naturalistic Observation

Observing people in their natural environment.

Ethnography

In-depth observation of an entire culture or group.

case study

Focused, detailed study of one case.

Secondary Data Analysis

Using existing data collected by others

Experimental Group

Receives the treatment

Control Group

Does not receive the treatment

Reliability

the study's design is done in a way that the results can be replicated if done again by someone else

Validity

How well a study measures what it intends to measure.

Hawthorne Effect

people behave differently because they know they are being watched.

ASA Code of Ethics

Promotes responsible research and participant safety.

5 Ethics points

Protect subjects from harm

Respect privacy

Obtain informed consent

Maintain value neutrality (stay impartial and unbiased)

Avoid deception unless justified

Unethical Example

Observing participants without consent

Interpretive Framework

Focuses on understanding meaning, not testing hypotheses.

Involves participant observation and qualitative methods.