Chapter 1: Introduction – Understanding Sociology

Notes:

Sociological Theory : set of interrelated ideas that provide a systematic understand of social world. 

Understand even though all 3 looked behind the same window each focus on a different scene, vineyard , village ( macro sociology , a level of analysis focusing on social systems and populations at large scale) meadow.. (micro sociology a level of analysis focusing on individuals and small groups within larger social system)

Proletariat: Majority who were poor , property less industrial working class , 

Bourgeoisie, small minority who were wealthy class (land and business owners)

Conflict theory sociological perspective emphasizing the role of political and economic power and oppression as contributing to social order.

functionalist theory, a macro view of how the parts of society serve to maintain stability ( focuses on various parts of society education, government , and families 

3 ways : 

 manifest functions, intentional and formally sanctioned functions of social institutions and society.(teach reading math and science )

Latent functions, unintentional and informally sanctioned functions of social institutions and society (learning social skills , finding love , bullying and learning to cheat) 

dysfunction, the undesirable disruptions of social patterns resulting in negative consequences within society ( debt for higher education is a dysfunction)

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

 social facts — social patterns that are external to individuals and greatly influence our way of thinking and behaving in society. 

 Sociological theory can be used as a tool to analyze any of these social situations as well as your everyday interactions.

verstehen (vûrst e hen), an empathetic approach to understanding human behavior, loosely translated as understanding or interpretation.

In order to study people within society, the researcher must observe social actions to understand and explain the meanings that individuals attribute to their social interactions. 

Weber believed that you have to be in their shoes and take into account the meaning they attribute to their actions and environment ( micro level analysis) 

Understanding the development of capitalism requires that we employ verstehen by interpreting the beliefs of individuals within the group.

 feminist theory, a view on anti-oppression, gender relations, and gender inequality, evolved from the conflict theory and is an important contemporary sociological perspective.

Key element of feminist sociology focuses on social and political reform concept of : applied sociology, the use of sociological theory, research, and methodologies to find solutions to problems in society. 

Feminist theorists focused on women\\\’s rights in the late 19th century and early 20th  more recent focusing on equality , equity, diversity, and justice 

queer theory, a critical view that rejects the traditional categories of gender, sex, and sexuality in contemporary society.( this theory addresses both micro and macro issues, particular emphasis on social construction and sexuality. ( example modeling industry) 

Founding Sociologist :

Harriet Martineau, Jane Addams, W. E. B. Du Bois, and Robert Merton are sociologists 

Key note though the white men in power were most often recognized for their work they aren\\\\\\\’t the only ones who contributed to the discipline of sociology. 

Harriet Matineau ( outsiders view of America)  was the first English woman and first female sociologist focusing on gender, racial and class tension with goal of helping subordinate groups. 

She wrote, “When one studies a society, one must focus on all its aspects, including key political, religious, and social institutions.” Much of her observations while in the U.S. were focused on the American value system. She questioned whether Americans actually demonstrated observable social patterns of behavior that matched the espoused value system.

Jane Addams : The Hull House 

She didn \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\’t have a formal sociology degree she founded hull house providing social services primarily yo immigrants in Chicago. including the government, education, and healthcare systems, were not supportive of the needs of poor immigrants: offered educational classes for preschoolers and adults, a library, a gym, a coffee house, and clubs for older children

W.E.B Du Bois: Civil Rights Activist and Scholar 

First African American to earn a PHD from Harvard Du Bois challenged the social structures within American society that perpetuated racism and discrimination in social institutions, such as the workplace, military, and education. 

Robert Merton: Functionalist Sociologist Merton identifies bureaucracies as social structures, describing them as formal, rationally organized social structures consisting of a hierarchy of offices, authority, and formal relationships. In some circumstances, this can lead to bureaucratic red tape — adherence to excessive regulation and conformity that prevents decision-making and change — occurring in government and large corporations.

Peoples actions and reactions can be analyzed through sociological thinking , theory and research. 

social problems, the societal conditions that harm segments of society become less about personal feelings and more about measurable , evidence based reality. 

Sociology can help you understand social problems by: 

• measuring objective conditions — the scope of a problem
• measuring subjective concerns — people’s feelings about a problem 
• evaluating the context within which the problem exists
• identifying potential policy solutions to the problem

Connecting chocolate to human trafficking..  Sociology helps us understand the extent of the problem , place it in a broader social context. 

 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 because the farms and cooperatives involved seek greater equity in international trade by eliminating the intermediary broker or “middleman.”

sustainable development, development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, by offering more social resources for the marginalized growers and producers.

You can use sociology to better understand social problems 

Impacts of Social Inequality: 

social inequality, the unequal distribution of power, property, or prestige in society.

Children forced to work come from poor families meaning they are at the bottom of the rug social ladder. 

social inequality can be found throughout the world.. Results in social problems from a particular stand point Powerless, Poor, or regarded less

Examples:

hospitals: The quality of an individual’s health is impacted by their financial resources. The more money a person has, the greater access they have to high-quality doctors and hospitals.

homelessness: Economic inequality can lead to some of society’s members becoming homeless. There are half a million Americans experiencing homelessness on any given night.

Pregnancy for teens:Economic inequality plays a role not only in the rates of teen pregnancy in poor countries and communities but also in the teens’ ability to care for their babies after they are born.

Lack of Education: The quality of education an individual receives is impacted by the economic resources available to the schools in their community, as experienced by these schoolchildren in Afghanistan.

Retirement?: Economic inequality in society and the lack of financial resources greatly impact life expectancy and the quality of life a person has in their later years.

There are times in which certain features of society result in dysfunction, such as when the parts or processes of society unintentionally impact its ability to operate properly.

Linking Personal Troubles and Public issues

-sociological imagination offers us a way to look at social experiences from the standpoint of both the individual and 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, are limited to areas of the social life of which you are directly and personally aware. They are based on the behaviors and choices that you make in your life ( if you lose your job that doesn\\\\\\\’t concern the people that live two blocks over)  but if people in society are experiencing the same trouble then its public issue 

public issue, a matter that impacts society as a whole.

The ripple effect of people not meeting their financial obligations extends throughout society, making what might have been a few people’s troubles into a much larger public issue. It is a public issue if hundreds or thousands of people lose their jobs.

Importance of Social Bonds 

Covid is a prime example affected subway systems, cab drivers . broadway plays , tourism, etc in the city. Restaurants closed and many were unemployed..  projected $12 billion budget gap 

anomie, the breakdown of social values, norms, and order resulting in social instability

Anomie leaves people feeling uncertain, and uncertainty breeds fear and anxiety.

reasons for suicide : characteristics he examined included religion, family support systems, and whether the country was in war or peacetime.

These suicides are not simply about personal troubles but larger public issues resulting from sudden changes

ill, experts point to the following as reasons to monitor the impact on the general population and vulnerable groups:

• increase in economic stress
• social distancing and isolation
• barriers to mental healthcare
• constant and pervasive collective anxiety
• long-term effects on frontline workers
• effects of “long haul” COVID-19 symptoms on some infected individuals

evidence that deaths by suicide increased both after the 1918 flu pandemic and the 2003 SARS outbreak (Dolgin 2021; Gunnell et al. 2020). 

 

Globalization and Social Change 

before Covid 19 crisis, the world were interconnected and relied on their connections to one another.  Pandemic disrupted 75 percent of the global supply chain.

social change, the forces that change the organization and the social structures of society.

This change has occurred not only in our global economy but also in how we interact.

globalization, the worldwide integration of our cultural, economic, and political lives that results from ever-increasing levels of business, trade, and technology.

PROS OF GLOBALIZATION : -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 OF GLOBALIZATION:

– 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.

–Economic inequality and poor working conditions, resulting from efforts to keep manufacturing costs low.

–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.

One of the most significant challenges societies must address in the face of the rapid pace of modern globalization is navigating social change without losing their unique culture.

MYTH: Sociology is about using your common sense to understand the social world around you.

Sociology on the Job 

Sociology dovetails perfectly into our understanding of globalization because, by its very nature, it involves the study of groups, organizations, and societies.

applied sociology, the use of sociological theory, research, and methodologies to find solutions to problems in society.

Careers that fall under the heading of applied sociology include, but are not limited to:

• Criminology and law enforcement
• Marriage and family counseling
• Business and workplace relations
• Public health services
• Federal and state agencies
• Sales and marketing
• Advocacy and community organization
• Market research
• Public policy
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