Untitled Flashcards Set

• Sociology - systematic(as we apply both theoretical and research methods) study of human society and social interaction.

Sociology promotes understanding and tolerance by enabling each of us to look beyond intuition, common sense, and our personal experiences.

• Society - large social grouping that shares the same geographical territory(but sometimes may not share same territory; ex. diasporas) and is subject to same political authority and dominant culture expectations(again, may not be like that; ex. elections). no precise explanation - it depends on the sociological school.

• Global independence - relationship in which the lives of all people are intertwined closely and any nation’s problem is worldwide one. example - environmental problems.

• Sociological imagination - the ability to see the relationship between individual experiences and the larger society.

The term was provided by Charles Mills.

The sociological imagination helps us distinguish between personal troubles and social (or public) issues.

Industrialization - the process by which societies are transformed from dependence on agriculture and handmade products to an emphasis on manufacturing and related industries;

occurred first during the Industrial Revolution in Britain between 1760 and 1850, and was soon repeated throughout Western Europe.

Urbanization - the process by which an increasing proportion of a population lives in cities rather than in rural areas;

main reason - development of factory system, also people shifted from being producers to consumers(ex: families are buying food because they do not provide own crop)

Early thinkers:

1. Harriet Martineau (1802–1876) – British Sociologist

   Martineau translated and condensed Auguste Comte’s works, making them accessible to a wider audience. She also studied social customs in Britain and the U.S., focusing on the consequences of industrialization and capitalism. She advocated for racial and gender equality, empirical sociology, and social reforms, particularly regarding women's rights, slavery, and class distinctions.

2. Auguste Comte (1798–1857) – French Philosopher

   Comte coined the term "sociology" and saw it as a new science to study society. His theory of social statics (forces of order) and social dynamics (forces of change) laid the foundation for sociology. Comte promoted the application of natural science methods to society, emphasizing stability and order as key to societal development. Lived during turbulence times of France(wars and progressive development).

3. Herbert Spencer (1820–1903) – British Social Theorist

   Spencer applied evolutionary theory to social change, coining "survival of the fittest" to describe how societies evolve through competition and adaptation. His idea of social Darwinism justified inequalities but was later criticized for ignoring human agency and societal transformations.

4. Émile Durkheim (1858–1917) – French Sociologist

   Durkheim is considered a founding figure in sociology. He introduced the concept of "social facts"—external forces that shape behavior. He examined the effects of rapid social change, particularly in his work on anomie, and contributed significantly to the functionalist tradition, focusing on social cohesion and stability. His research on suicide remains foundational. (theory about suicide+anomie term)

5. Karl Marx (1818–1883) – German Economist and Philosopher

   Marx emphasized class conflict as the central force in social change, particularly within capitalism. He analyzed the exploitation of the working class by the capitalist class, predicting that the proletariat would overthrow the bourgeoisie to create a classless society. His ideas have had a profound influence on social theory, particularly in Marxism.

6. Max Weber (1864–1920) – German Social Scientist

   Weber argued against Marx's economic determinism, asserting that social change is influenced by a range of factors, including values and beliefs. He introduced verstehen (understanding) to emphasize the importance of seeing the world from others' perspectives. Weber also warned about the dangers of rational bureaucracy, seeing it as a tool for maintaining capitalist interests and limiting human freedom.

7. Georg Simmel (1858–1918) – German Sociologist

   Simmel developed formal sociology, focusing on the recurring patterns of social interaction across different group sizes. He analyzed the impact of industrialization and urbanization on individualism, noting the fragmentation of traditional community ties. His work influenced a range of sociologists, particularly in the areas of social interaction and the dynamics of modern life;

   “society is a web of patterned interactions among people. If we focus on the behavior of individuals only, we may miss the underlying forms that make up the “geometry of social life.”

Sociology's Spread to the U.S. and Early Development

Introduction to Sociology in the U.S.

Sociology entered the U.S. in the 1890s from Western Europe;

It thrived due to rapid social change and intellectual curiosity;

The first U.S. departments were at the University of Chicago and Atlanta University (an African American school)

Key Figures from the Chicago School

Robert E. Park: studied urbanization and its effects on social life, crime rates, and racial/class tensions

George Herbert Mead: developed symbolic interactionism, focusing on everyday social interactions

Jane Addams: founded Hull House in Chicago, a settlement house aimed at helping the underprivileged; awarded a Nobel Prize for social work

• W.E.B. Du Bois

  Established sociology at Atlanta University;

  Studied African American communities in The Philadelphia Negro;

  Introduced double-consciousness: The inner conflict of being both Black and American in a racist society

Functionalist Perspective

Overview

Society is a stable system where shared values and social bonds maintain order;

Disruptions like rapid social change weaken these bonds and lead to societal problems such as suicide and crime

Key Concepts

1. Manifest Functions: intended, visible outcomes (e.g., shopping malls selling goods).

2. Latent Functions: unintended, hidden outcomes (e.g., malls providing social spaces).

3. Dysfunctions: negative consequences that disrupt society (e.g., inequalities in education).

Key Sociologists

Talcott Parsons: argued that society must meet basic needs (e.g., family, education) for stability;

Robert K. Merton: expanded on Parsons by distinguishing manifest and latent functions and discussing dysfunctions.

Application to Suicide

Donna Gaines (1991) applied Durkheim’s theory to teenage suicides in New Jersey

• Fatalistic Suicide: feeling trapped with no way out;

• Anomic Suicide: feeling disconnected from society, alienated.

Conflict Theory

Overview

Society is marked by a power struggle between groups competing for resources (wealth, power, prestige);

Conflict is inevitable and often leads to social change.

Key Concepts

Class Conflict: Ddvision between the bourgeoisie (owners) and proletariat (workers);

Power and Prestige: Max Weber added power (control over others) and prestige (social honor) as key sources of inequality.

Key Sociologists

1. Karl Marx: focused on class struggle and the exploitation of the working class by the capitalist class.

2. Max Weber: expanded Marx’s theory to include power and prestige as factors contributing to inequality.

3. C. Wright Mills: introduced the power elite theory, emphasizing that top political, corporate, and military leaders make major decisions behind the scenes.

Branches of Conflict Theory

Neo-Marxism: focuses on class struggles as a source of social change.

Racial-Ethnic Conflict: emphasizes ongoing racial and ethnic inequalities and exploitation.

Feminist Theory: focuses on gender inequality, arguing that society is a patriarchy where men hold power over women.

Feminist Perspective

Overview

Feminism highlights the importance of gender in understanding social structures and inequalities;

Advocates for gender equality, stressing that women should be treated as equals to men in all aspects of life.

Key Ideas

1. Patriarchy: a system where men hold most of the power in society, leading to the oppression of women

2. Feminists argue for equal rights, roles, and value for men and women in society

Summary of Key Theories

• Functionalism: views society as a stable system where institutions work together for social stability; dysfunctions and disruptions can lead to social problems

• Conflict Theory: society is a battleground of competing groups struggling for scarce resources; focuses on class, power, and prestige as sources of inequality

• Feminist Theory: focuses on gender inequality, advocating for equal rights and opportunities for women in a patriarchal society

Macrolevel analysis - an approach that examines whole societies, large-scale social structures, and social systems.

Microlevel analysis - sociological theory and research that focus on small groups rather than on large-scale social structures.

Symbolic interactionist perspectives - the sociological approach that views society as the sum of the interactions of individuals and groups.