Sociology Founding Flashcards
(45 cards)
Sociology
systematic study of the relationship between the individual & society & of the consequences of differences
Sociology Focuses
1) social relationships influence people’s attitudes and behaviors
2) Major social institutions affect us
3) Our affect on other individuals, groups, & organizations
Sociological Perspective
helps us to see general social patterns in the behavior of particular individuals
look beyond our social world and discover new levels of reality
Sociological Imagination
see our experiences & personal difficulties as entwined with the structural arrangements of our society & the times in which we live
Social Marginality
state of being excluded from social activity as an “outsider”
aware of social patterns others rarely think of
Globalization
development of economic, political, and social relationships that stretch worldwide
Benefits of SP
assess the truth of “common sense”
assess both opportunities & constraints in our lives
empowers us to be active participants in our society
help us live in a diverse world
Reasons of Development of Sociology
French and Industrial Revolution
Auguste Comte (1798-1857)
Founder of Sociology
Positivism
Goal: understand society as it operates
3 Stages of Historical Development: theological, metaphysical, scientific
Emile Durkheim (1858-1917)
French
ties that bond us together
Mechanical Solidarity: traditional societies are united by social similarities
Organic Solidarity: modern societies are united by interdependence
Anomie: Rapid social change leads to loss of social norms and produces many social problems
Karl Marx (1818-1883)
German
involved in social change
social scientists should help improve society
struggle between owners and workers
Max Weber (1864-1920)
German
impact of industrialization on peoples’ lives
Support for value free studies (unbiased) & objective research
Rationalization:
-traditional societies emphasize emotion and personal ties
-modern emphasize calculation, efficiency, self control
-Personal ties decline & people become “disenchanted”
Harriet Martineau
Feminist
Researcher
studied social life in Britain and US
translated Comte
studied impact of inequality
Herbert Spencer
Social Darwinism
Evolutionary model of society
Thought that attempts at social reform were wrong
First department of sociology
University of Chicago
W.E.B. DuBois (1868-1963)
did investigative fieldwork
inequality based on race
combined analysis of everyday life with commitment to investigating power
revealed social processes that contributed to racial separation
Ida Wells-Barnett (1862-1931)
Feminist
Argued: societies can be judges on whether the principles they claim to believe match their actions
used analysis of society to resist oppression
Contemporary Sociology
Critical Theory (influence of Marxist View)
Feminism
Postmodernism (deep distrust of science & principle of objectivity)
C. Wright Mills
Paul Lazarsfeld
Theory
statement of how and why specific facts are related
Goal of theories
explain social behavior in the real world
Theories are the base for
theoretical paradigms
Theoretical paradigms
sets of assumptions that guide thinking and research
Functionalist perspective
Social-Conflict perspective
Symbolic-Interactionist perspective
Functionalist Perspective
Sees society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stability
society guided by social structures
Macro-level Orientation
Social-Conflict Perspective
Sees society as a collection of parts held together by social power
inequality makes conflict and motivation for change
society held together by those in power at time
power allows dominance which leads to conflict
Attempt: understand society and reduce social inequality
Macro-level Orientation
