Introduction to Sociological Perspectives Perspectives=broad-based assumptions about society and...

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Introduction to Sociological Perspectives Perspectives=broad-based assumptions about society and about social behaviour Theories=are statements that organise a set of concepts meaningfully by explaining the relationship between them Facts=self-evident,accessible to the senses and readily translated into understandable statements Ideology=a complex believe systems that provide a partial and biased vie of reality

Transcript of Introduction to Sociological Perspectives Perspectives=broad-based assumptions about society and...

Page 1: Introduction to Sociological Perspectives Perspectives=broad-based assumptions about society and about social behaviour Theories=are statements that organise.

Introduction to Sociological Perspectives

• Perspectives=broad-based assumptions about society and about social behaviour

• Theories=are statements that organise a set of concepts meaningfully by explaining the relationship between them

• Facts=self-evident,accessible to the senses and readily translated into understandable statements

• Ideology=a complex believe systems that provide a partial and biased vie of reality

Page 2: Introduction to Sociological Perspectives Perspectives=broad-based assumptions about society and about social behaviour Theories=are statements that organise.

Introduction to Sociological Perspectives

• Functionalism=major figures are Emile Durkheim and Talcot Parsons

• Focus on=macro level such as social order, social cohesion and social integration

• Social System needs/pre-requisites• Adaptation=environment and social system to

provide for physical needs=Economic System• Goal Attainment=societal goals and resource

allocation=Political System

Page 3: Introduction to Sociological Perspectives Perspectives=broad-based assumptions about society and about social behaviour Theories=are statements that organise.

Introduction to Sociological Perspectives

• Pattern Maintenance=maintaining value consensus and norms=The family, Education System etc.

• Integration=Dispute settlement-The Legal System

• Value Consensus=necessary for society

• Social Inequalities=essential to fill all jobs

Page 4: Introduction to Sociological Perspectives Perspectives=broad-based assumptions about society and about social behaviour Theories=are statements that organise.

Introduction to Sociological Perspectives

• Marxism=conflict is the hallmark of society• Capitalism will be overcome by true communism• Class antagonism=two major classes=owners and

non=owners of the means of production• Class in itself=either owner or non-owner of means of

production=objective • Class for itself=recognises own exploitation and

common enemy=combines objective and subjective• False Consciousness=not recognising objective reality

Page 5: Introduction to Sociological Perspectives Perspectives=broad-based assumptions about society and about social behaviour Theories=are statements that organise.

Introduction to Sociological Perspectives

• Means of Production=land, raw materials, buildings et.

• Forces of Production=means of production plus technological and scientific knowledge needed in process of production

• Relations of Production=relations between people in the process of production

• Inequalities=are unjust and need to be abolished

Page 6: Introduction to Sociological Perspectives Perspectives=broad-based assumptions about society and about social behaviour Theories=are statements that organise.

Introduction to Sociological Perspectives

• Social Action Theory= Max Weber,micro level analysis• Social Structures are the patterned actions of

individuals• Social action and social structures are two sides of the

same coin• Two forms of understanding=Direct

understanding=observation• Explanatory understanding=reasons/motives for action• Causal understanding=find causes for motivation of

actions

Page 7: Introduction to Sociological Perspectives Perspectives=broad-based assumptions about society and about social behaviour Theories=are statements that organise.

Introduction to Sociological Perspectives

• Interactionism=focus on the meanings people attach to their own and others actions

• The “Self” seen as socially constructed –not a static entity,not totally determined by society

• Reciprocal relationship between the “I” and the “ME”• Humans have “Self-Consciousness”• Interaction via Symbols,eg. Language• Pre-supposes the existence of society,stresses active

role of humans in the construction/maintenance of the “self”

Page 8: Introduction to Sociological Perspectives Perspectives=broad-based assumptions about society and about social behaviour Theories=are statements that organise.

Introduction to Sociological Perspectives

• Feminism=focus on gender inequalities• Patriarchy=fundamental concept and tool for the

oppression of women• Gender Differences• Gender Inequalities• Gender Oppression• Feminism seeks to abolish the oppression of

women• Gender is socially constructed

Page 9: Introduction to Sociological Perspectives Perspectives=broad-based assumptions about society and about social behaviour Theories=are statements that organise.

Introduction to Sociological Perspectives

• Biological differences are transformed into social and economic inequalities

• Society,language and thinking,including science,is male dominated

• “Sociology (like other sciences)is a science of male society and a male science of society” (Jesse Bernard)

• Feminists reject the notion that gender inequalities are determined by nature and necessary for the good of society

Page 10: Introduction to Sociological Perspectives Perspectives=broad-based assumptions about society and about social behaviour Theories=are statements that organise.

Introduction to Sociological Perspectives

• Structuration Theory=Anthony Giddens• Attempts to overcome the dichotomy between

structure and action • Argues that structure and action (agency) are

mutually dependent• Structures are created and maintained within

existing conceptual and material frame works and resources

• Structure and Agency reproduce and/or change social life

Page 11: Introduction to Sociological Perspectives Perspectives=broad-based assumptions about society and about social behaviour Theories=are statements that organise.

Introduction to Sociological Perspectives

• Humans always have a choice of action

• Inequalities of power enables some and restricts others in making choices

• Some structures are not accessible to control by many people

• Neglects the dimension of time,changes may take a very long time to achieve

Page 12: Introduction to Sociological Perspectives Perspectives=broad-based assumptions about society and about social behaviour Theories=are statements that organise.

Introduction to Sociological Perspectives

• Conclusions• Sociological Perspectives and Theories are

useful tools in understanding both society and the individual within it

• They provide a different “picture” of,and take a different angle on the same reality

• They make no claim of absolute truth and authority