What is Sociology???

Science of how we act as a collective in terms of our social structureConcentrates on patterns of social relationships

A young student cheats on his math testA couple in their upper 20’s decide to get marriedA newly retired man goes out and buys a sports car for the first time

How Does Sociology Compare With Psychology?

Theoretical Perspectives

FunctionalismConflict TheorySymbolic Interactionism

Functionalism

Everything exists because of a reason If it didn’t have a purpose, it simply wouldn’t exist

There is poverty because society is in need of cheap labor and a workforce to do the less desirable jobs Poverty can be seen as a motivating force

Manifest vs. latent functions

Life will always return to a state of stabilityThere is a general consensus among people about how to live

Conflict Theory

Those in power make the rules to maintain their own control Stresses competition among those who have and among those who don’t

Based on the ideas of Karl Marx Economic exploitation leads to political oppression

People are kept poor in order to protect the status of the wealthy, who make the rules

Symbolic Interactionism

Sociologists began to focus on how we interact with each otherWe have mutually understood symbols that we use with each other.

4 Basic Theories of GovernmentAnswers the question – How did governments form?

Force Theory

Power comes from those that are willing to rise up and take the powerSubjects follow until someone else rises to overtake The cycle continues

Describes dictatorships

Evolutionary Theory

Power derives from the family1. Small family with head of household2. Through marriage, clans form

a. Head of household now head of clan

3. Clans form villages4. Villages bring towns

citiesstates5. Describes many indigenous political

developments

Divine Right Theory

Power to rule comes from a deitydivine being gives power to ruling forceThose in power maintain power as long as they appease the god, gods, or God.

Divine Right Theory

When favor is lost – power is lost and given to anotherChinese called this cycle the “Dynastic Cycle”

Divine Right Theory

Explains monarchies, especially in Western EuropeStill used today by leaders – actions are justified because God has found favor on them.

Social Contract TheoryJohn Locke and Thomas Hobbes – state of nature Lacking of rules – most powerful in control

A contract is made to bring order from the chaos

With Power

create rules that will take care of those who lack power – power is given by the people

W/O Power

Follow and respect those rules that have created safety

What Happens When This Contract is Broken?

If those that are ruled break the contract? they have a consequence that is administered by those in power

What Happens When This Contract is Broken?

If those that have been given power break the contract? The people have a right and responsibility to overthrow such government and institute a new one.

What do you think?

Has this contract been broken today?What does our Declaration of

Independence say about this possibility?

Basic Concepts of Democracy

Must we accept what we are given by our system?

What right do we have to ask for change?

What means should we use to bring about change if change is necessary?

What prevents us from bringing change when needed?