What is Sociology?Aims:• To know what Sociology is.• To understand how Sociology is

different to other methods of studying people.

• To recognise some simple sociological perspectives and terms.

Sociology explores the social world

around us.It is the scientific

study of society and human behaviour.

What is Sociology?

Is it useful?

•Advertising•Banking•Criminal Justice

•Education•Government

•Health Care•Public Relations

•Research•Clinical Sociologists

•Military

‘ologies! – How does Sociology Compare?

•Biologists focus on the body.

•Psychologists focus on the mind.

•Sociologists focus on the environment and the social aspects of human behaviour.

Biology, Psychology and Sociology - E.g. perspectives on

racism

Biologists might look at genetic difference

s

Psychologists would examine whether racism is caused by a

childhood trauma

Sociologists would

examine whether a

person was socialised with racist

values or look at how ethnic

minorities have been

‘scapegoated’.

Sociological Imagination

• C. Wright Mills came up with the term “sociological imagination”.

It means...• The ability to see

the relationship between individual experiences and the larger society.

C. Wright Mills

For example…Private v. Public Issues

How this...

Is linked to this...

Other Sociological Questions…

Why are divorce rates

increasing?

Does violence in the media encourage

violence in real life?

Does the culture a

child belongs to influence

their achievement

at school?

Who is more likely to commit a

crime?

How are a persons’ life

chances affected by their social

status?

A society is a large social grouping that shares the same geographical territory and is subject to

the same political authority and cultural expectations.

Society• Human beings are social animals – we all live and

participate in society. • Culture is the things that are shared by a society:

– Language– Beliefs– Ways of doing things

Bonjour!

Culture and Society

• Not all societies have the same Culture – this is cultural diversity. E.g., the UK has very different ways of doing things to China.

• However all Cultures share some basic ideas (language, family, religion, property) called Cultural Universals.

• Some people may judge another culture as it is very different to their own – the acceptance that there are differences but that every culture should be treated with equal respect is called cultural relativism.

Social Life – is full of rules…

• Norms: The unspoken and unwritten rules of behaviour in everyday life.

• Mores (pronounced more-ays): Stronger form of norms – behaviour that is seen as essential to maintain decency.

• Values: The beliefs that we all share that form the basis for our norms.

• Role: The norms that go with our status.• Status: The position that a person has in our

society.– ascribed status (what you are born with)– achieved status (the result of a person’s

efforts).

Sociological Perspectives• There are different types of views in

sociology.• A bit like the different denominations

in religion!• They don’t always agree!

Functionalists Durkheim & Spencer• They compare society to a human body.

• All the different parts are like organs, essential to the overall health.

• They all have their own role and function. • If these parts of society fail there would be

a negative affect on all of us.• Therefore people should do as they’re told

for the good of the whole society.

In other words – every PART of society has the function of contributing to the WHOLE to help it

‘FUNCTION’

Marxists Conflict Theorists

• Say society is divided into two classes:

– Bourgeoisie (ruling class).

– The Proletariat (workers)

• They are in conflict as the ruling class only stay in power by exploiting the workers.

• The ruling class use the different institutions of society to strengthen their position at the top of society.

Proletariat

In other words – The rich and powerful stay in power by taking advantage of the workers.

Bourgeoisie

Interactionist (Micro sociology) Weber & Mead (later)People exist and act. All other “structures” found in society are nothing but human creations.Society is dynamic.Continuous change, characterises the real nature of society

Feminists• Believe society is

divided by sex. • Men have all the

power (called Patriarchy).

• They want men and women to have equal rights.

• They can be men as well! Famous feminist

- Germaine Greer In other words – your gender affects your status – men have

the power!

Who would say the following?– Lone Parent Families are deviant.

– It is the function of families to socialise their children.– Women are exploited in families.– Independent schools help to keep the ruling classes in

power.– A teacher shapes a child’s actions.– It is the function of schools to prepare children for

work.– The law is designed to protect the property of the rich.– The Welfare State encourages people to rely on state

benefits.– Women are not treated equally in the workplace and

can’t get to the top because of the ‘glass ceiling’.– The best type of family to socialise children is the

nuclear family.– Class conflict will lead to a communist revolution.

What is Sociology?Aims:• To know what Sociology is.• To understand how Sociology is

different to other methods of studying people.

• To recognise some simple sociological perspectives and terms.