Sociology_Matters_

Sociology Overview

• What is Sociology?

  • Study of human social behavior that is both scientific and systematic.

  • Focuses on:

    • How societies and cultures are established and how they change (social construction of reality).

    • How relationships influence people’s attitudes and behaviors, along with the symbolic nature of those interactions.

Sociology vs. Social Sciences

• Science Definition:

  • A body of knowledge obtained through methods based on systematic observation.

• Natural Science:

  • Study of physical features of nature and their interactions and changes.

• Social Science:

  • Study of various aspects of human society.

Sociology and Common Sense

• Sociologists do not accept assumptions as facts merely because they are widely held.

  • Each piece of information must be tested, recorded, and analyzed in relation to other data.

• Examples of assumptions:

  • Women are not equal to men.

  • Wealth is the measure of a person.

Sociological Theory

• Theory Definition:

  • A set of statements that seeks to explain problems, actions, or behaviors.

  • Effective theories possess explanatory and predictive power.

  • They help discern relationships among seemingly isolated phenomena and how one type of change in the environment leads to others.

Historical Development of Sociology

• Ancient and medieval philosophers made observations about human behavior but lacked scientific evidence based on social facts, leading to sociology's rise.

Early Thinkers

• Auguste Comte (1798-1857):

  • Advocated for a theoretical science of society to improve French society.

  • Coined the term "sociology."

• Herbert Spencer (1820-1903):

  • Applied evolutionary concepts to explain societal changes over time; known for "social Darwinism," often used to justify racist policies.

• Émile Durkheim (1858-1917):

  • Considered the father of sociology.

  • Coined the term "social facts," emphasizing that human behavior must be understood in a larger social context.

  • Studied the functions of religion, social connections to suicide, and types of social solidarity.

• Max Weber (1864-1920):

  • Argued for understanding individual behavior through the subjective meanings of actions.

  • Introduced the concept of "Verstehen" (insight) in research; analyzed rationalization in bureaucracies for efficiency.

• Karl Marx (1818-1883):

  • Co-authored the "Communist Manifesto" (1848).

  • Suggested society is divided between conflicting classes, emphasizing class struggle and the working class's need to overthrow the class system.

W. E. B. Dubois (1868-1963)

• Conducted research for racial equality and coined the term "double consciousness" to describe the division of identity into multiple social realities.

• Major works:

  • "The Suppression of the African Slave Trade"

  • "The Philadelphia Negro" (1899)

  • "The Souls of Black Folk" (1903)

  • "Black Reconstruction" (1935)

  • Believed the 20th century's primary issue is the racial divide.

Modern Developments

• Charles Horton Cooley (1864-1929):

  • Explored intimate groups like families and friendship networks, introduced the "looking glass self."

• Jane Addams (1860-1935):

  • America's first social worker, co-founded Hull House, combining inquiry, social service, and activism.

• Robert Merton (1910-2003):

  • Merged theory with research and developed a theory on deviant behavior.

  • Advocated macro and micro-level approaches.

• Pierre Bourdieu (1930-2002):

  • Explained capital beyond material goods to include cultural and social assets, emphasizing the importance of cultural and social capital.

The Sociological Imagination

• Concept by C. Wright Mills, referring to the awareness of the relationship between individual experiences and the wider society.

• Encourages viewing society from an outsider's perspective to reduce cultural biases.

Major Theoretical Perspectives in Sociology

• Functionalist Perspective:

  • Focuses on social stability and the functions of society's parts.

  • Key figures include Talcott Parsons, who analyzed social parts' interconnectedness and asked about the functions of poverty.

• Conflict Perspective:

  • Emphasizes conflicts between groups over power and resources; highlights economic inequality (the rich get richer, and the poor get poorer).

  • Encompasses Marxist views of class conflict and feminist perspectives on gender inequality.

• Interactionist Perspective:

  • Examines daily social interactions, established by George Herbert Mead as symbolic interactionism.

  • Focuses on meanings arising from social interactions.

Comparing Major Theoretical Perspectives

• Each perspective provides unique insights and approaches to social issues, influencing how sociologists address problems.

• Functionalist:

  • Views society as stable and integrated; emphasis on macro-level.

• Conflict:

  • Characterized by struggle and tension, emphasizing macro-level and power.

• Interactionist:

  • Focuses on everyday interactions, emphasizing micro-level analysis of individual behavior and social world creation.

The Scientific Method in Sociology

• A systematic series of steps ensuring objectivity and consistency in research.

Components of Research Methodology

• Hypothesis:

  • A speculative statement on relationships among variables:

    • Independent Variable:

      • Hypothesized to influence another.

    • Dependent Variable:

      • Its action depends on the independent variable.

• Identifying independent and dependent variables is critical for establishing cause-and-effect relationships.

• Correlation vs. Causation:

  • Correlation indicates a relationship; however, it does not imply causality.

Data Collection and Analysis

• Selection of samples, ensuring valid and reliable data collection.

• Types of Research Designs:

  • Surveys:

    • Utilize questionnaires or interviews to gather information.

  • Ethnography:

    • Study through observational and qualitative methods.

  • Existing Sources Analysis:

    • Secondary analysis of previously collected data (e.g., census data).

Research Ethics

• Adhere to ethical principles in research as outlined by the ASA Code of Ethics, including respect for participants and objectivity.

Applications of Sociology

• Applied Sociology:

  • Practical application of sociological knowledge to enhance human behavior and organization.

• Clinical Sociology:

  • Focuses on altering social relationships and restructuring social institutions.