how do patterns and societal trends impact individuals?
sociological perspective: the process of understanding and explaining how individuals and groups interact within society
social structures: the distinctive and stable arrangements of social patterns that form the society as a whole
social problems: societal conditions that harm segments of society
sociological imagination: the ability to see the details of our own lives in the context of larger social structures as opposed to merely personal choices or personal troubles
social change: the forces that change society\\\’s organization and social structures
sociology has only been around for approximately 180 years.
Auguste Comte challenged the idea that society can be studied using the same scientific method as natural sciences.
positivism: authentic and valid knowledge of the social world is found only through scientific and empirical pursuit
sociology was basically exported from france to the u.s. in the 19th century.
sociological theory: a set of interrelated ideas that provide a systematic understanding of the social world
macro sociology: a level of analysis focusing on social systems and populations on a large scale
micro sociology: a level of analysis focusing on individuals and small groups within the larger social system
proletariat: old term for poor
bourgeois: old term for rich
Karl Marx: writer during the industrial revolution & developed the constructs for socialism and capitalism. (conflict theory)
conflict theory: a sociological perspective emphasizing the role of political and economic power & oppression as contributing to the existing social order
Emile Durkheim: conducted the first large-scale sociological study.(functionalist theory)
functionalist theory: a macro view of how the parts of society serve to maintain stability
-manifest functions: intentional and formally sanctioned functions of social institutions and society
-latent functions: unintentional and informally sanctioned functions of social institutions and society
-dysfunction: the undesirable disruptions of social patterns resulting in negative consequences within society
George Herbert Mead: (socialized self & symbolic interaction)
socialized self: the self cannot develop apart from society (you are who you are due to your social interactions and environment)
symbolic interaction: a micro view of how society is the product of interactions between people, which occur via symbols that have distinct meanings
social facts: social patterns that are external to individuals and greatly influence our way of thinking and behaving in society
Max Weber: one of the most influential sociologists. he rejects the idea of studying sociology objectively. used the verstehen approach. used the macro and micro approach
verstehen: an empathetic approach to understanding human behavior
feminist theory: a view on anti-oppression, gender relations, and gender inequality (evolved from the conflict theory)
applied sociology: the use of sociological theory, research, and methodologies to find solutions to problems in society
queer theory: a critical view that rejects the traditional categories of gender, sex, and sexuality in contemporary society (addresses macro and micro issues)
postmodern social theory: a critical view rejecting the historical, scientific, and structured means of investigating and interpreting the social world
social structures: the distinctive and stable arrangements of social patterns that form the society as a whole (families)
rationalization of society: the replacement of traditional values and personal connections with bureaucracy, efficiency and a means-end approach
Harriett Martineau: first female sociologist – published \\\\\\\”Society in America\\\\\\\”
Jane Addams: never had a sociology degree but founded the Hull House which was a house that provided service for Chicago immigrants
W.E.B. Du Bois: first african american to earn a PhD from Harvard. cofounded NAACP. also a civil rights activist
Robert Merton: formalized the functionalist theory in his writings. published \\\\\\\”Social Theory and Social Structure\\\\\\\”
social problems: the societal conditions that harm segments of society
objective conditions: the scope of a problem
subjective concerns: people\\\\\\\’s feelings about a problem
human trafficking: a situation in which a person is smuggled, abused, and forced to work against their will for the economic gain of another
Fair Trade: a movement & process for producers in developing countries to receive a fair price for their products
sustainability: the idea that current and future generations should have equal or greater access to social, economic and environmental resources
sustainable development: development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs
social inequality: the unequal distribution of power, property, or prestige in society
public issue: a matter that impacts society as a whole
anomie: the breakdown of social values, norms, and order resulting in social instability
globalization: the worldwide integration of our cultural, economic, and political lives that results from ever-increasing levels of business, trade, and technology
applied sociology: the use of sociological theory, research, and methodologies to find solutions to problems in society