THE FIELD OF SOCIOLOGYChapter 1

HOW DID SOCIOLOGY DEVELOP? Developed as an academic discipline in the

1800s In France, Germany, and England

Social and political changes during the Industrial Revolution

Social world could be studied and analyzed with scientific methods

AUGUSTE COMTE Founder of sociology as a distinct subject Applied methods of physical science to social life Coined the term sociology Social order and social change Social statics – hold society together Social dynamics – society changes through definite

processes Modern sociologists use his basic issues of order

and change

Knowledge of society can only

be acquired through scientific

investigation

And by observing the

laws that govern social stability

and social change

Scientific understanding of these laws can

bring about change

Science can be used to build a

better world

The Sociology Book: Big Ideas Explained p.23

HERBERT SPENCER Strongly influenced by Darwin’s “survival of the

fittest” idea Biological model for society – society is a set of

interdependent parts that work together to maintain the system

Social change and unrest are natural occurrences when society is moving toward stability

Social Darwinism - the fittest societies would survive over time. Also refers to the most able people would rise to the top of society

KARL MARX Structure of society is influenced by how its

economy is organized Society is split into 2 classes: the bourgeoisie (own

means of production) and the proletariat (workers) Imbalance of power leads to conflict between the 2

classes. Conflict only ends when the proletariat overthrew those in power

His views led to the creation of the Conflict Theory of sociological perspectives

Modern society has 2 classes: the industry-owning

bourgeoisie and the proletariat (workers)

Controlling the means of production enriches the

bourgeoisie and enables it to dominate private property.

Self-interest mitigates against solidarity among the bourgeoisie, while unceasing competition fuels

regular economic crises.

The fall of the bourgeoisie and the victory of the proletariat are equally

inevitable.

The majority proletariat owns little and sells its labor to the

bourgeoisie yet stays poor because of exploitation.

This dehumanizing status leads to alienation and a group

consciousness that seeks its own class’s collective good.

The Sociology Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained, p.29

EMILE DURKHEIM One of the first to use methods of science to

study society Society is a set of interdependent parts working

together, but each part has it’s own function Ex: Function of religion to maintain social order

Conducted the 1st sociological study, Suicide – examined suicide rates in several European countries

Humankind has evolved from gathering in small, homogeneous communities to forming large, complex

societies

In traditional society, religion and culture created a collective consciousness that provided solidarity

In modern society, the division of labor has brought about increased specialization and the focus is more on the

individual than the collective…

…and solidarity now comes from the interdependence of individuals with specialized functions

Society, like the human body, has interrelated parts, needs, and functions

The Sociology Book: Big Ideas sim

ply Explained, p.35

MAX WEBER Focused on separate groups in society Effect society has on the individual Verstehen – attempt to understand the meanings

individuals attach to their actions. “Put yourself in someone else’s shoes”

The “iron cage of rationality” Ideal type – description of typical characteristics

for a selected society Ex: Public school characteristics

Sociological

Perspectives

Functionalist Perspective*Society is a set of interrelated parts that work

together to produce a stable social system*Focus on functions (positive consequences) &

dysfunctions (negative)*Manifest (intended) & Latent (unintended)

functions*Theorists: Comte, Spencer, and Durkheim

Interactionist

Perspective

Conflict Perspect

ive

Sociological

Perspectives

Functionalist

InteractionistConflict Perspective

*Forces in society promote competition & change

*Social change is inevitable*People compete for power & wealth*Competition over scarce resources is

the basis for social conflict*Theorist: Karl Marx

Sociological

Perspectives

Functionalist

Perspective

Interactionist Perspective

*How individuals interact in society and how they react to others

*Role symbols play in our lives*Symbolic interaction: how people

use symbols when interacting*Theorist: Max Weber

Conflict Perspect

ive