Notes: 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)
positivism – authentic and valid knowledge of the social world is found only through scientific and empirical pursuit.
proletariat, the majority, who were the poor, property-less industrial working class,
bourgeois, 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 (HP)
functionalist theory, a macro view of how the parts of society serve to maintain stability (HP)
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 (Poggi 2000; Jones 1986).
socialized self, which states that the self cannot develop apart from society (Miller 1973; Morris 1934).
symbolic interaction, a micro view of how society is the product of interactions between people, which occur via symbols that have distinct meanings (HP).
social facts — social patterns that are external to individuals and greatly influence our way of thinking and behaving in society.
verstehen (vûrst e hen), an empathetic approach to understanding human behavior, loosely translated as understanding or interpretation.
feminist theory, a view on anti-oppression, gender relations, and gender inequality
postmodern social theory, a critical view rejecting the historical, scientific, and structured means of investigating and interpreting the social world.
rationalization of society, the replacement of traditional values and personal connections with bureaucracy, efficiency, and a means-end approach.
Harriet Martineau (1802-1876), an Englishwoman and the first female sociologist, visited the U.S. for a period of two years and later published Society in America (1837), which detailed American social structures, such as the political system, government, economy, and religion. focused on the American value system.
Jane Addams’ (1860-1935) work and lectures give her the distinction of being an applied sociologist. founded the Hull House, a settlement house that provided social services primarily for immigrants in Chicago. the first American woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 1931.
W. E. B. Du Bois (1868-1963) was the first African American to earn a Ph.D. from Harvard University. His work is associated with conflict theory. He advocated the concept of the “talented tenth,” which encouraged the top 10 percent of Black men to pursue higher education.
Robert Merton (1910-2003) is one of America’s most influential social scientists and sociologists and is noted as instrumental in formalizing the functionalist theory in his writings. published Social Theory and Social Structure (Merton 1968), which partly focuses on defining and categorizing bureaucratic structures.
bureaucracy — a hierarchical authority structure that uses task specialization, operates on the merit principle, and behaves with impersonality
red tape — adherence to excessive regulation and conformity that prevents decision-making and change
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
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, an organizational movement and certification process to help producers in developing countries receive a fair price for their products with the goals of reducing poverty, providing for the ethical treatment of workers and farmers, and promoting environmentally sustainable practices.
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.
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.
applied sociology, the use of sociological theory, research, and methodologies to find solutions to problems in society.