what is sociology? step two key words essential questions headings step one don’t copy word from...

What is What is sociology?sociology?

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Title goes here

““No Man is an Island.”No Man is an Island.”(John Donne)(John Donne)

The Role Of Influence In Our LivesThe Role Of Influence In Our Lives

The social science discipline that looks at the The social science discipline that looks at the development and structure of human society development and structure of human society and how it works and how it works

Sociology is the study of social life, social Sociology is the study of social life, social change, and the social causes and change, and the social causes and consequences of human behavior. consequences of human behavior.

Sociologists investigate the structure of groups Sociologists investigate the structure of groups (NOT individuals), organizations, and societies, (NOT individuals), organizations, and societies, and how people interact within these contexts. and how people interact within these contexts.

The individual parts create a new whole.The individual parts create a new whole.

All human behaviour is social so the subject All human behaviour is social so the subject matter of sociology ranges from the intimate matter of sociology ranges from the intimate family to the hostile mob; from organized crime family to the hostile mob; from organized crime to religious cults; from the divisions of race, to religious cults; from the divisions of race, gender and social class to the shared beliefs of a gender and social class to the shared beliefs of a common culture; and from the sociology of work common culture; and from the sociology of work to the sociology of sports. (ASA)to the sociology of sports. (ASA)

We all play certain roles in our society – Social We all play certain roles in our society – Social Scientists refer to this as status Scientists refer to this as status

Status is the term used to describe our position Status is the term used to describe our position within an institution within an institution

For eg. Erindale SS – There are many For eg. Erindale SS – There are many positions at Erindale ranging from teacher, positions at Erindale ranging from teacher, vice-principal, guidance counselor, principal, vice-principal, guidance counselor, principal, student and superintendent – student and superintendent – Can you put Can you put them in order on the hierarchy?them in order on the hierarchy?

Hierarchy is the ranking system used in any particular Hierarchy is the ranking system used in any particular environment based on authority of power.environment based on authority of power.

All groups encourage conformity e.g. Mean Girls is an All groups encourage conformity e.g. Mean Girls is an excellent example of cliques.excellent example of cliques.

Each position or role requires a certain type of expertise which Each position or role requires a certain type of expertise which is valued by society. Other roles may not be valued but are is valued by society. Other roles may not be valued but are still useful to society according to a certain Sociological still useful to society according to a certain Sociological school of thought. Do you know the school of thought that school of thought. Do you know the school of thought that believes that everything in society serves a purpose?believes that everything in society serves a purpose?

Hierarchy continued…Hierarchy continued… In order to distinguish between these roles people are expected In order to distinguish between these roles people are expected

to dress and act in a certain way to dress and act in a certain way

On any given day we can play many different roles in society On any given day we can play many different roles in society – eg. A parent can drive their kids to school and then go to – eg. A parent can drive their kids to school and then go to work and teach their studentswork and teach their students

Values – Society carries with it a system of values. A Values – Society carries with it a system of values. A particular set of values are assigned to each role. The particular set of values are assigned to each role. The practitioners of these roles are expected to accept and practitioners of these roles are expected to accept and internalize these values.internalize these values.

Norms – These are rules set out for a particular role that are Norms – These are rules set out for a particular role that are

considered standard behaviour (eg. Catholic Priests are considered standard behaviour (eg. Catholic Priests are expected to be celibate)expected to be celibate)

Rules – These are developed by Rules – These are developed by

cultures based on their system of cultures based on their system of

valuesvalues

Deviance – Any behaviour that is different from the Deviance – Any behaviour that is different from the societal norm. It is deviant because we, as a society, do societal norm. It is deviant because we, as a society, do not accept it not accept it

Deviance can range from simple eccentricities to Deviance can range from simple eccentricities to behaviour that harms society or is considered disreputable behaviour that harms society or is considered disreputable

Sociology has formed a Sociology has formed a strong link with the justice strong link with the justice systemsystem

A fundamental component A fundamental component of modern imprisonment of modern imprisonment is rehabilitation, or trying is rehabilitation, or trying to re-educate and to re-educate and resocialize inmates so that resocialize inmates so that they can grow to accept they can grow to accept society’s values and norms society’s values and norms

Sociologists have debated among themselves Sociologists have debated among themselves about the real nature of society about the real nature of society

As societies change and become more diverse As societies change and become more diverse sociologists need to consider cultural diversity sociologists need to consider cultural diversity when considering sociological issueswhen considering sociological issues

Origins of SociologyOrigins of Sociology

August ComteAugust Comte

French philosopherFrench philosopher Founder of sociologyFounder of sociology Coined the term Coined the term

“sociology”“sociology” Tried to find solutions to Tried to find solutions to

the chaos caused by the the chaos caused by the French RevolutionFrench Revolution

Influenced by the scientific Influenced by the scientific methodmethod

Believed that sociologists Believed that sociologists should concern themselves should concern themselves with the problems of order with the problems of order and changeand change

Improvement of societyImprovement of society Never completed collegeNever completed college Suffered fromSuffered from depressiondepression

Emile DurkheimEmile DurkheimEmile DurkheimEmile Durkheim

FrenchFrench Taught philosophyTaught philosophy Taught first social science course in Taught first social science course in

FranceFrance Systematically applied methods of Systematically applied methods of

science to the study of societyscience to the study of society Developed the idea of a function-Developed the idea of a function-

positive consequence that an positive consequence that an element of society has for the element of society has for the maintenance of a social systemmaintenance of a social system

Study only aspects of society that Study only aspects of society that are directly observableare directly observable

First sociologist to test theories First sociologist to test theories through statistical analysisthrough statistical analysis

Argued agreement among citizens Argued agreement among citizens for conformity and dependencefor conformity and dependence

Karl MarxKarl Marx

Born in Germany to middle-class parentsBorn in Germany to middle-class parents Received doctorate from the University Received doctorate from the University

of Berlinof Berlin Worked as a writer and editor for a racial Worked as a writer and editor for a racial

newspapernewspaper Believed that overall structure of a Believed that overall structure of a

society is influenced by how the society is influenced by how the economy is organizedeconomy is organized

Thought that people who own the means Thought that people who own the means of production control societyof production control society

Stated that imbalance of power leads to Stated that imbalance of power leads to conflict between owners and laborersconflict between owners and laborers

Was deeply troubled by social conditions Was deeply troubled by social conditions produced by capitalist systemproduced by capitalist system

Believed that the task of social scientist Believed that the task of social scientist was to transform societywas to transform society

Emphasized that conflict is the primary Emphasized that conflict is the primary cause of social changecause of social change

Herbert SpencerHerbert Spencer

EnglishEnglish Worked as a civil engineer for a railwayWorked as a civil engineer for a railway Received large inheritance in his thirtiesReceived large inheritance in his thirties Was influenced by views of Charles Was influenced by views of Charles

DarwinDarwin Viewed society as a system of Viewed society as a system of

interdependent parts that work together interdependent parts that work together to maintain systemto maintain system

Believed that social change and unrest Believed that social change and unrest were natural occurrences in society’s were natural occurrences in society’s evolution toward stability and perfectionevolution toward stability and perfection

Asserted that the fittest societies would Asserted that the fittest societies would survive over timesurvive over time

Believed in “Social Darwinism”Believed in “Social Darwinism”

Max WeberMax Weber

German with middle-class parentsGerman with middle-class parents Received doctorate from University of Received doctorate from University of

BerlinBerlin Founded the German sociological Founded the German sociological

society in 1910society in 1910 Was interested in groups within a Was interested in groups within a

society more than in society as a society more than in society as a wholewhole

Believed that sociologists should Believed that sociologists should uncover the feelings ands thoughts of uncover the feelings ands thoughts of the individualsthe individuals

Verstehen-sociologist places Verstehen-sociologist places himself/herself in the place of others himself/herself in the place of others and attempts to see things through and attempts to see things through their eyestheir eyes

humans act on basis of own humans act on basis of own understanding of a situation (walk understanding of a situation (walk mile in my shoes)mile in my shoes)

Origins of Sociology…Origins of Sociology…

American SociologistsAmerican Sociologists Jane Addams: social problems created by Jane Addams: social problems created by

imbalance of power w/in social classesimbalance of power w/in social classes

W.E.B. DuBois: focused on race, racial W.E.B. DuBois: focused on race, racial discrimination, and segregationdiscrimination, and segregation

Schools of Thought in Schools of Thought in SociologySociology

Sociological TheoriesSociological Theories

According to structural-functionalism, each society According to structural-functionalism, each society should provide its members with the fundamental should provide its members with the fundamental requirements for functioning requirements for functioning

A system must have a way of fulfilling material needs, a A system must have a way of fulfilling material needs, a system for socializing and educating the young, a way of system for socializing and educating the young, a way of

regulating human reproduction (usually marriageregulating human reproduction (usually marriage) )

Structural-Functionalists believe their role is to try to Structural-Functionalists believe their role is to try to explain the role of society’s systems in enabling human explain the role of society’s systems in enabling human society to function society to function

Structural-Functionalists do not concern themselves with Structural-Functionalists do not concern themselves with change but instead with how society works to meet their change but instead with how society works to meet their needs needs

Emphasizes the contribution (function) of each Emphasizes the contribution (function) of each part of societypart of society

Basic agreement on values within a societyBasic agreement on values within a society

People typically cooperate to reach common People typically cooperate to reach common goalsgoals

Different kinds of functionsDifferent kinds of functions

Manifest function (recognized functions)Manifest function (recognized functions) Example: learning math at schoolExample: learning math at school

Latent function (unrecognized functions)Latent function (unrecognized functions) Example: forming friendships at schoolExample: forming friendships at school

Dysfunction (negative consequences)Dysfunction (negative consequences)

Famous PractitionersFamous Practitioners

Talcott ParsonsTalcott Parsons Bronislaw ManolinskiBronislaw Manolinski

Criticisms…Criticisms…

Too much emphasis on harmonyToo much emphasis on harmony

Downplays forces that divides peopleDownplays forces that divides people

Symbolic InteractionismSymbolic Interactionism

Focuses on the actual interaction among Focuses on the actual interaction among people based upon mutually understood people based upon mutually understood symbolssymbols

Symbols have assigned meanings to themSymbols have assigned meanings to them

It is essentially how we as individuals process and interpret It is essentially how we as individuals process and interpret what we observe in society, not society’s institutions, that form what we observe in society, not society’s institutions, that form the core of our value systemthe core of our value system

Understand societies by understanding how the human mind Understand societies by understanding how the human mind intervenes between what we observe and how we actintervenes between what we observe and how we act

For this reason, Symbolic Interactionists focus their research For this reason, Symbolic Interactionists focus their research on the human mind rather than on structures in societyon the human mind rather than on structures in society

Symbolic InteractionismSymbolic Interactionism

Dramaturgy: approach that depicts Dramaturgy: approach that depicts human interaction as a theatricalhuman interaction as a theatricalperformanceperformance

Like actors, we present ourselves through dress, Like actors, we present ourselves through dress, gestures, and tone of voicegestures, and tone of voice

Social life as drama; actors performing rolesSocial life as drama; actors performing roles Impression Management- act in particular way to Impression Management- act in particular way to

attract attentionattract attention

Focuses on the actual interaction among Focuses on the actual interaction among people based upon mutually understood people based upon mutually understood symbolssymbols

Symbols have assigned meanings to themSymbols have assigned meanings to them

Symbolic Interactionists believe humans have complex brains Symbolic Interactionists believe humans have complex brains and little instinctive behaviour and little instinctive behaviour

This means they can interpret for themselves the stimuli they This means they can interpret for themselves the stimuli they receive in their daily life and attach their own meanings to receive in their daily life and attach their own meanings to themthem

Eg. One person might pursue fame and fortune while a sibling Eg. One person might pursue fame and fortune while a sibling

might dedicate his or her life to charitable work in a might dedicate his or her life to charitable work in a developing country developing country

Three Assumptions of SymbolsThree Assumptions of Symbols

1.1. We learn the meaning of a symbol from the We learn the meaning of a symbol from the way we see others react to itway we see others react to it

2.2. Once meaning is learned, we base our Once meaning is learned, we base our behavior (interactions) on thembehavior (interactions) on them

3.3. Imagine how others will react to our Imagine how others will react to our behaviorbehavior

-we guide our interactions with people according to -we guide our interactions with people according to the behavior we think others expect from usthe behavior we think others expect from us

CatCat

DogDog

Colors, WordsColors, Words


Ignores structures’ influence on how we Ignores structures’ influence on how we interpret experiencesinterpret experiences

How can we be sure that our interpretations How can we be sure that our interpretations are not influenced by class?are not influenced by class?

Conflict TheoryConflict Theory

Emphasis on power and competitionEmphasis on power and competition Groups compete to promote their special Groups compete to promote their special

interests and valuesinterests and values

Conflict Theory…Conflict Theory…

Focuses on disagreements among various Focuses on disagreements among various groups in a societygroups in a society

Social living is a contestSocial living is a contest Who gets whatWho gets what People with power get large share of what’s People with power get large share of what’s

considered valuableconsidered valuable

Based on ideas originally proposed by Karl Marx (1818-Based on ideas originally proposed by Karl Marx (1818-1883) 1883)

Marx believed that economic power led to political Marx believed that economic power led to political power. This is the key to understanding societies power. This is the key to understanding societies

The struggle for economic power means that society is The struggle for economic power means that society is not static but ever-changing – social change is the result not static but ever-changing – social change is the result of a change made to the economic system of a change made to the economic system

Therefore, if we want to understand society, we must Therefore, if we want to understand society, we must understand the economic system in place understand the economic system in place

Neo-Marxists believe the economic system creates a rich Neo-Marxists believe the economic system creates a rich class of owners and a poor class of workers class of owners and a poor class of workers

They also believe that social institutions (churches, They also believe that social institutions (churches, schools, prisons, family etc.) have been created to schools, prisons, family etc.) have been created to perpetuate the division between the powerful and the perpetuate the division between the powerful and the powerlesspowerless


Too limitedToo limited

Ignores some good aspects of capitalismIgnores some good aspects of capitalism

Constant downplays people’s attempts to bring Constant downplays people’s attempts to bring harmonyharmony

Feminist TheoryFeminist Theory

Feminist Theorists focus on sex and gender issues, Feminist Theorists focus on sex and gender issues, believing that women have traditionally been believing that women have traditionally been disadvantaged in society because men have disadvantaged in society because men have discriminated against themdiscriminated against them

They believe that men have made the decisions in They believe that men have made the decisions in society and that they tend to favour men.society and that they tend to favour men.


What about race and class?What about race and class?

Not the only factor in who has powerNot the only factor in who has power

Inclusionists recognized that conflict could take place in a Inclusionists recognized that conflict could take place in a society between ethnic, racial and religious groups as well society between ethnic, racial and religious groups as well as between economic classes as between economic classes

Before WWII, most sociologists took an assimilationist Before WWII, most sociologists took an assimilationist view of race believing the cultural majority would view of race believing the cultural majority would eventually absorb the minority (melting pot) eventually absorb the minority (melting pot)

In the late 1960s however, changing immigration policies In the late 1960s however, changing immigration policies changed all this as large numbers of immigrants moved to changed all this as large numbers of immigrants moved to places like Canada to liveplaces like Canada to live

Theory Puzzle PracticeTheory Puzzle Practice

ActivityActivity

In pairs, empty your pockets/bag and analyze the In pairs, empty your pockets/bag and analyze the objects according to the following:objects according to the following:

AestheticsAesthetics (beautiful? Pleasant?) (beautiful? Pleasant?) UtilityUtility (Purpose? Worth? Usefulness? (Purpose? Worth? Usefulness? ValuesValues (Your beliefs? Morals? Background?) (Your beliefs? Morals? Background?) TechnologyTechnology (Advanced? Tech. savvy?) (Advanced? Tech. savvy?)

What do these items say about our society?What do these items say about our society?

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