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The Sociological Perspective

The Sociological Perspective. The systematic study of human society. What is Sociology ?. Scientific study of society and human behavior (Henslin, 2007) Systematic, scientific study of human society (Thio, 2000; Macionis, 2003) Scientific study of human and social behavior (Robertson, 1989)

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The Sociological Perspective

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  1. The Sociological Perspective The systematic study of human society

  2. What is Sociology ? Scientific study of society and human behavior (Henslin, 2007) Systematic, scientific study of human society (Thio, 2000; Macionis, 2003) Scientific study of human and social behavior (Robertson, 1989) The process of scientific inquiry into social attitudes and behaviors and the cultural products of those attitudes and behaviors (Lamberton, 1998) The scientific study of human society; the study of social behavior and the interaction of people in groups (Landis, 1980) Nothing less than a special form of consciousness (Berger, 1963)

  3. What is Sociology ? Scientific study of society and human behavior (Henslin, 2006) Systematic, scientific study of human society (Thio, 2000; Macionis, 2003) Scientific study of human and social behavior (Robertson, 1989) The process of scientific inquiry into social attitudes and behaviors and the cultural products of those attitudes and behaviors (Lamberton, 1998) The scientific study of human society; the study of social behavior and the interaction of people in groups (Landis, 1980) Nothing less than a special form of consciousness (Berger, 1963)

  4. Science Requires the development of theories that can be tested by systematic research A body of knowledge obtained by logical, systematic methods of research which allows researchers to form generalizations (Honesty) Places isolated, seemingly meaningless events into patterns we understand

  5. What Is Sociology? “...The systematic study of human society ” • Systematic • Scientific discipline that focuses attention on patterns of behavior • Human society • Group behavior is primary focus; how groups influence individuals and vice versa • At the “heart of sociology” • The sociological perspective which offers a unique view of society

  6. Branches of Science Natural Science Social Science

  7. Social Sciences Sociology Economics Psychology Political Science Anthropology

  8. Why Study Sociology?

  9. Perspective A variety of points of view of any given subject.

  10. The Big Picture

  11. Sociological Imagination Allows us to see the strange in the familiar.

  12. Global Perspective The study of the larger world and our society’s place in it.

  13. Why Take Sociology? • Education and liberal arts • Well-rounded as a person • Social expectations • More appreciation for diversity • The global village • Domestic social marginality • Enhanced life chances • Micro and macro understanding • Increase social potentials

  14. Village of 100 people • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNnbO8x4JAY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNnbO8x4JAY

  15. Benefits of the Sociological Perspective • Helps us assess the truth of common sense • Helps us assess both opportunities and constraints in our lives • Empowers us to be active participants in our society • Helps us live in a diverse world

  16. Importance of Global Perspective • Where we live makes a great difference in shaping our lives • Societies throughout the world are increasingly interconnected through technology and economics. • Many problems that we face in the United States are more serious elsewhere. • Thinking globally is a good way to learn more about ourselves.

  17. Global Map 1.1Women’s Childbearing in Global Perspective

  18. The Sociological PerspectivePeter Berger • Seeing the general in the particular • Sociologists identify general social patterns in the behavior of particular individuals. • Seeing the strange in the familiar • Giving up the idea that human behavior is simply a matter of what people decide to do • Understanding that society shapes our lives

  19. Sociological Perspective and Sociological Imagination C. Wright Mills

  20. Sociological Imagination • “History” is happening so quickly that we can’t process what’s going on and we can’t notice that the world is changing quicker than ever before (Changes- technology, etc.) • In general the average person is too scared or chooses to not to look at the bigger picture.

  21. C. Wright Mills’Sociological Imagination • The power of the sociological perspective lies not just in changing individual lives but in transforming society. • Society, not people’s personal failings, is the cause of social problems. • The sociological imagination transforms personal troublesinto public issues. • One cannot understand oneself without understanding the social and historical context in which one lives.

  22. Your Choice? • College? • Career? • Marriage?

  23. Honesty • Do you consider yourself an “Honest person”? • Using a “sociological imagination” or perspective, what factors can you suggest might influence a person’s honesty? • How would you rate the level of honesty in your immediate milieu? School, neighborhood, community, nation…

  24. Sociological Imagination • Groups -Discuss Sociological Imagination-Illustrations • In groups • Thinking Globally -pg. 8 • Seeing Sociology in Everyday Life-p. 10 • In the Times- pg. 11 • Thinking about Diversity -p. 18 • Controversy & Debate -pg. 21

  25. Emile Durkheim 1858-1917 French Sociologist, concerned with Social Order and Social Integration Pioneered sociological research with his study of suicide

  26. Durkheim’s Study of Suicide • Emile Durkheim’s research showed that society affects even our most personal choices. • More likely to commit: male Protestants who were wealthy and unmarried • Less likely to commit: male Jews and Catholics who were poor and married • One of the basic findings: Why? • The differences between these groups had to do with “social integration.” • Those with strong social ties had less of a chance of committing suicide.

  27. National Map 1.1Suicide Rates across the United States

  28. Figure 1.1 Rate of Death by Suicide, by Race and Sex, for the United States.

  29. Teenage Suicide • Applying what you understand from the Sociological Imagination (perspective) discuss in your group: “How does the social and historical milieu suggest that the personal trouble of suicide is reflective of a public issue of teen suicide.

  30. The Origins of Sociology • One of the youngest of academic disciplines, sociology has its origins in powerful social forces. • Social Change • Industrialization, urbanization, political revolution, and a new awareness of society • Science • 3-Stages: theological, metaphysical & scientific • Positivism–A way of understanding based on science • Gender & Race • These important contributions have been pushed to the margins of society.

  31. Sociological Perspective Learning to look at society in different ways Helps us see general social patterns in the behavior of particular individuals Encourages us to realize that society guides our thoughts and deeds

  32. From our limited experiences … Judge the greater society Place blinders on our views Develop our prejudices Develop our discriminations Develop our concepts of right and wrong

  33. Sociological Imagination allows us to think “globally” Where we live makes a great difference in shaping our lives Societies are increasingly interconnected Many US problems are more serious elsewhere Good way to learn about ourselves

  34. The Development of Sociology Social/Political Factors of the Industrial Revolution Rise of factory-based economy Emergence of great cities European political and social changes Flood of Anthropological Data Influences from Natural Sciences

  35. Auguste Comte 1798-1857 The Father of Sociology French philosopher who coined the term “Sociology” Favored “positivism” Concerned with Statics and Dynamics

  36. Herbert Spencer 1820-1903 Like Comte, concerned with Social Order and Social Change Developed “Organism” theory Applied Darwin’s Theories of Evolution to societies “Survival of the fittest”

  37. Karl Marx 1818-1883 An economist, concerned with Social Change through Social Conflict and revolution Developed theories of Class Conflict

  38. Max Weber 1864-1920 German Sociologist who emphasized under- standing the social world from the viewpoint of the individuals Claimed that religion is a central force in social change, particularly in the advancement of capitalism in Protestant and Catholic countries. Stressed Value Freedom

  39. Harriet Martineau 1802-1876 First woman sociologist Translated Comte’s work from French to English Studied British and American societies

  40. Jane Addams 1860-1935 Key founder of American sociology Developed study strategies to solve social problems Founded the Hull House Instrumental in the formation of several government programs

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