Sociology – Quick Review Notes
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Understanding Sociology – Chapter 1
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• Development of sociology
• Distinctions from other social sciences
• Key pioneers & theories
• Role of the sociological imagination
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• Sociology = scientific study of social behavior & human groups
• Focus: influence of relationships on attitudes/behavior & societal development/change
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Labor-market polarization: rise in high-wage/high-skill & low-wage/low-skill jobs; loss in middle
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Sociological perspective ≈ special vision:
• General in the particular
• Strange in the familiar
• Individuality in social context
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Benefits: question “common sense”, assess constraints/opportunities, empowerment, global awareness
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C. Wright Mills – sociological imagination: awareness of link between individual & wider society; outsider view
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Goal: study how society shapes attitudes/behavior; analyze interaction scientifically
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Science = systematic observation
• Natural science → physical world
• Social science → human social world (distinct disciplines, shared focus on behavior)
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Core concepts: skepticism (Weber’s “inconvenient facts”), perspective-organization, objectivity, ethics, critical thinking
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Origins: Industrial Revolution (urban growth, factory pull, enclosure push) & political change (self-interest pursuit)
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Early thinkers:
• Auguste Comte 1798-1857 – coined “sociology”, systematic study
• Harriet Martineau 1802-1876 – economy/law/health ↔ social problems
• Herbert Spencer 1820-1903 – evolutionary societal change
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Émile Durkheim 1858-1917 – behavior within social context; anomie = normlessness when control weakens
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Max Weber 1864-1920 – verstehen (subjective meaning), ideal type (analytical model)
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Karl Marx 1818-1883 – class conflict; group identifications shape social position
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W. E. B. Du Bois 1868-1963 – knowledge combats prejudice; double consciousness (split identity)
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• Charles H. Cooley 1864-1929 – face-to-face groups
• Jane Addams 1860-1935 – applied sociology; Hull House
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Robert Merton 1910-2003 – theory + research; deviance theory; macro vs. micro sociology
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Additional levels:
• Mesosociology – formal orgs & movements
• Global sociology – cross-national comparisons
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Pierre Bourdieu 1930-2002 – capital across generations:
• Cultural capital (knowledge, arts)
• Social capital (network benefits)
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Need for theory: comprehensive problem exploration
Three paradigms guide research (see Table 3-1)
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Functionalist perspective: society = interdependent parts ensuring stability
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• Manifest functions – intended, recognized
• Latent functions – unintended, hidden
• Dysfunctions – disruptive elements
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Conflict perspective: society understood via tension & competition; institutions maintain privilege
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Feminist view: gender inequality central; intersectionalities = overlapping systems of domination
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Interactionist perspective: everyday interaction forms society; meaning through symbols; includes nonverbal communication