schools of thought re sociology

Introduction to Sociology

• Sociology: Study of society and social behavior, including the organization, institutions, and development of societies.

• Developed during the Industrial Revolution due to significant changes in England affecting social structures and relationships.

Key Concepts

Understanding Society

• Questions of acceptable behavior and societal norms.

• Importance of understanding the interplay between individuals and society.

• Sociologists address social problems and development.

Historical Figures in Sociology

• Ibn Khaldun: 14th-century philosopher; recognized as a forefather of sociology despite the term not being used in his time.

• Documented social conditions and political events, contributing to the early understanding of societal dynamics.

Impact of the Industrial Revolution

• Major shifts in agriculture and manufacturing led to changes in work and living conditions.

• Growth of the middle class and severe consequences for the working class, including job loss and child labor exploitation.

• Overcrowded cities and rising crime rates prompted scholars to document social issues.

• Foundations for theories of social inequality emerged from this period.

Defining Sociology

• Study of interactions among individuals living together.

• Topics of investigation include:

  • Gender roles

  • Criminal behavior

  • Family structure

  • Social institutions

  • Social classes and ethnicity

  • Sexuality

• Use of interdisciplinary knowledge from social sciences to answer sociological questions.

Contributions of Auguste Comte

• Coined the term sociology and defined it as the systematic study of society.

• Adopted positivism: the application of scientific methods to social phenomena.

• Emphasized the need for measurable data in sociological research.

Research Methods in Sociology

• Sociologists conduct field research to explore social issues.

• Importance of developing broad questions that can inform research across different contexts.

• Understanding findings requires a thorough analysis and comparison across varied sociocultural backgrounds.

Schools of Thought in Sociology

- Structural Functionalism

• Emphasizes stability in society through institutions (family, religion, schools) that meet societal needs.

• Criticized for overlooking issues like poverty and inequality.

- Conflict Theory

• Focuses on power struggles between different groups in society, rooted in economic and social inequalities.

• Karl Marx’s ideas emphasize class conflicts and economic exploitation as central in understanding social dynamics.

- Feminist Sociology

• Examines gender inequalities and the societal structures favoring male authority.

• Scholars like Dorothy Smith advocate for understanding women's experiences and addressing social constructs that marginalize them.

- Symbolic Interactionism

• Studies human interactions at the individual level, emphasizing the meanings individuals attach to their actions and social roles.

• Max Weber focused on how social life is shaped by rationalization and bureaucratic structures.

Key Theorists and Their Contributions

- Emile Durkheim

• Established sociology as an academic discipline.

• Conducted seminal research on suicide, highlighting the influence of societal factors on individual behavior.

- Karl Marx

• Focused on economic structures and class struggles. Predicted that the working class would rise against exploitation.

- Talcott Parsons

• Expanded structural functionalism in the U.S.; analyzed social behavior as cohesive based on shared values for stability.

- Judith Stacey and Charudra Talpade Mohanty

• Studied evolving family structures, gender roles, and the intersectionality of race, gender, and class in feminist sociology.

Conclusion

• The evolution of sociology is deeply tied to historical events like the Industrial Revolution, with significant contributions from various theorists who shaped social thought.

• These schools of thought provide tools for analyzing complex social issues and underscore the necessity of multidisciplinary approaches in sociology.