Developing a Sociological

ConsciousnessSociology 10-Introduction to

Sociology

Discussion Outline• Defining Sociology and the

Sociological Perspective–The Sociological Imagination and Levels of Analysis

• The Development of Sociology–Historical Underpinnings and founders

• Theoretical Perspectives

What is Sociology?

•What is the concept of free-will?

Agency vs. Structure–What determines an individuals behavior?

• Agency-making individual choices based on free-will

• Structure-cultural and structural influences operate in the decision making process–How society is organized–Society is patterned

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Developing a Sociological

Consciousness• Sociology: scientific study of social interactions and social organization

–Rigorous and systematic

–Powerful scientific tool

The Sociological Perspective

• The Sociological Imagination–C. Wright Mills

Levels of Analysis

• Macro sociology - Looks at the "big picture" of society and suggests how society is affected at the institutional level.

• Micro sociology - Concerned with the social psychological dynamics of individuals interacting in small groups.

II. The Development of Sociology

• 18th century–Political Revolutions–Industrial Revolution–The Enlightenment•Before social science and the enlightenment, who had the authority to say what was right and wrong regarding social issues?

Auguste Comte (1798 – 1857)

• The “father of sociology”• Argued for the empirical

study of society and social statics and dynamics

The Big Three

• Karl Marx• Emile Durkheim• Max Weber

– Other voices were silenced, excluded and marginalized

• Who? Why?

Karl Marx (1818-1883)• Society fundamentally

divided between two classes that clash in pursuit of their own interests

–Economic determinist

**What did Marx see as the solution

to the evils of capitalism?

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Émile Durkheim (1858 – 1916)

–Social integration: density of social relationships in a collection of people

–Social Solidarity

• Suicide (1897/1951)

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Max Weber (1864 – 1920)

–Verstehen: study of human subjectivity

–Importance of a “value-free sociology”

Theory

• A theory is a set of statements that explains why a particular phenomena happens– Theories can be viewed as tools or lenses through

which individuals view society and, in this case, the family.

– Theories differ

Primary Sociological Theories

• Structural Functionalism-Macro Level• Conflict Theory-Macro Level• Symbolic Interactionism-Micro Level• Feminist theories-Macro/Micro Level

Functionalism

• Society is a complex social system of interdependent parts that work together to ensure a society’s survival.

• Based off work of Durkheim

– Functions are purposes and activities to meet different needs that contribute to a society’s stability• Manifest Functions• Latent Functions

– Crime? Schools?

Conflict Theory

• Conflict theory examines the ways in which groups disagree, struggle over power, and compete for scarce resources.– Based off of work of Karl Marx• Marx predicted that conflict would result from

widespread economic inequality.• The “haves” dominate in social, political and economic

activities over the “have-nots”

Conflict Theory-Karl Marx

• Industrialization leads to two classes: the bourgeoisie, or the owners of the means of production; and the proletariat, or the workers who earn wages.– The bourgeoisie use their power to control the institutions of

society to their advantage.• What other institutions might those at the very top of the class

structure be able to control?

• What did Karl Marx see as the solution to social Problems inherent in a capitalist system?

Symbolic Interactionism

• Symbolic interactionism looks at individuals’ everyday behavior and communication through symbols and shared meanings.

– It is a micro-level perspective.

– Interactionists see society as socially constructed through everyday interaction and symbols

Feminist Theories

• Feminist theories explain the social, economic, and political position of women in society. Focus is on gender issues– Maintain that women suffer injustice because of

their sex/gender.– Seeks to free women from traditionally oppressive

expectations and constraints.

The Perspectives

• Functionalism– How does structure help society work?

• Conflict– How are resources distributed?

• Feminist– How does life reflect gender?

• Interactionism– How do we construct meaning through symbols?

Benefits of the Sociological Perspective

• Gaining a broad understanding of society

• Promotes and understanding of the social world and our place in it.

• Helps us to understand how our lives are shaped by society, but also how individuals working together can change society