Notes:
sociology, the scientific study of social relationships, institutions, and societies
social institutions, structures in society providing the framework for governing the behavior of individuals in a community or society,
society, a large group of people associated with a shared culture and social institutions
Sociological Perspective: the process of understanding and explaining how individuals and groups interact within society (HP).
Social Structures: the distinctive and stable arrangements of social patterns that form the society as a whole (HP).
Social Problems: societal conditions that harm segments of society (HP).
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 (HP).
Social Change: the forces that change society’s organization and social structures (HP).
Auguste Comte (1798–1857), challenged this idea and stated that society could be studied using the same scientific methods in natural sciences, such as physics, chemistry, and biology
– positivism — authentic and valid knowledge of the social world is found only through scientific and empirical pursuit.
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. (Valley and Village)
micro sociology, a level of analysis focusing on individuals and small groups within the larger social system (Meadow).
the proletariat, the majority, who were the poor, property-less industrial working class
bourgeoisie, the small minority who were the wealthy class
conflict theory, a sociological perspective emphasizing the role of political and economic power and oppression as contributing to the existing social order
Émile Durkheim (1858–1917), a French sociologist.
-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
George Herbert Mead (1863–1931)
–socialized self, which states that the self cannot develop apart from society
–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
feminist theory, a view on anti-oppression, gender relations, and gender inequality,
applied sociology, the use of sociological theory, research, and methodologies to find solutions to problems in society
Social problems, the societal conditions that harm segments of society,
- measuring objective conditions — the scope of a problem
- measuring subjective concerns — people’s feelings about a problem (C-19)
- evaluating the context within which the problem exists
- identifying potential policy solutions to the problem
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
Personal troubles, matters experienced at the individual level,
public issue, a matter that impacts society as a whole
anomie, the breakdown of social values, norms, and order resulting in social instability
social change, the forces that change the organization and the social structures of society.
globalization, the worldwide integration of our cultural, economic, and political lives that results from ever-increasing levels of business, trade, and technology
-Pros:
Job opportunities and global economic development.
Developments in innovation and technology, as well as knowledge sharing between businesses and countries.
Societies sharing culture and developments in innovation and technology, as well as knowledge sharing between businesses and countries.
Cons:
The relocation of the skilled labor force in pursuit of jobs, an increase in deadly diseases due to travel between countries, and an increase in illegal trade.
Economic inequality and poor working conditions, resulting from efforts to keep manufacturing costs low.
The movement of jobs from developed nations to developing nations means more unemployment. However, workers in developing countries may view globalization as an economic upturn because it provides more jobs.
An objective sociological analysis of the issue is necessary to understand a situation or social problem properly.
applied sociology, the use of sociological theory, research, and methodologies to find solutions to problems in society.
Congratulations on finishing Chapter 1: Introduction, and we hope you are already beginning to “Connect Sociology and YOU!” You learned that the 15 chapters in SociologicalYOU are divided into 5 modules.
Module 1: Sociological Perspective — the process of understanding and explaining how individuals and groups interact within society.
Module 2: Social Structures — the distinctive and stable arrangements of social patterns that form society as a whole.
Module 3: Social Problems — the societal-level conditions that harm segments of society.
Module 4: 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.
Module 5: Social Change — the social forces that change the organization and social structures of society.
Next, you were introduced to the three sociological theories through the story of three men in a tower, all looking out the same window but viewing different scenes below. If you can remember the vineyard, village, and meadow settings, you will be well on your way to understanding sociological theory. The three theories are as follows:
Conflict — vineyard — macro-level analysis
Functionalists — village — macro-level analysis
Symbolic Interaction — meadow — micro-level analysis
We will discuss theory and apply it in every chapter, so you will have many opportunities to see how it will help you better understand your social world.
In Module 1, the sociological perspective was introduced, and you learned that Auguste Comte coined the terms sociology and positivism, resulting in the pursuit of systematically and scientifically studying society.
In Module 2, the characteristics of social structures were addressed. The Industrial Revolution brought many changes to social structures such as the family and government. Sociologists such as Harriett Martineau, Jane Addams, W. E. B. Du Bois and Robert Merton researched and wrote about these changes in social structures.
Module 3 focused on sociology’s role in understanding social problems, and we used the chocolate industry as a case study to investigate underlying social problems. For example, child labor and slavery, poor working conditions, low pay, and other social inequalities are problematic in this industry, but most consumers don’t make the connection when buying chocolate.
In Module 4, you were introduced to the sociological imagination. This concept will help you understand the connection between your personal troubles and the larger public issues. Suicide can be viewed as a personal trouble, but the public issues that contribute to individuals considering taking their own life are the focus of sociology.
In Module 5, we discussed social change and how applied sociology contributes to developing new public policies and mitigating social problems.