Transcript 3 perspectives and founders sociology

Founders and Pioneers of
Sociology
Chapter 1 section 2
The Development of Sociology
• Emerges in the 1800’s in Europe due to the Industrial
Revolution
• The Industrial Revolution created rapid social and political
changes in Europe
• Rapid growth of urban populations produced a multitude of
social problems
• What problems does urbanization create?
• Over time, it became more difficult to ignore the effect of
society on the individual
• Sweeping political, social, and economic changes caused some
scholars to question the traditional explanations of life and
attempted to prove their beliefs using a variety of methods
and scientific research
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Auguste Comte
•Many people consider him the
founder of Sociology as a distinct
subject.
•He attempted to apply the methods
of physical sciences to the study of
social life.
•He coined the term sociology to
describe the study of society.
•He was intrigued by the causes and
consequences of the French
Revolution
•He began to focus on two basic
areas of study: Social Order and
Social Change.
•Functionalist Perspective
1798-1857
Emile Durkheim
•He developed the first university Sociology course in
France.
•He was one of the first sociologist to systematically apply
the methods of science to the study of society.
•He believed that society was a set of interdependent
parts that maintain the system throughout time.
•A function is the consequence that an element of society
produces for the maintenance of its social system.
•He was interested in the function of religion in
maintaining social order.
•Believed shared beliefs and values were the glue that
held society together.
•He also studied suicide rates believing that a sociologist
should study only features that are directly observable.
•Functionalist Perspective
1858-1917
Herbert Spencer
•Believed that society is a set of interdependent
parts that work together to maintain the system
over time.
•He used Darwin’s theory of the evolution of
biological organisms.
•He coined the term Social Darwinism.
•Social change and unrest are natural
occurrences during society’s evolution towards
stability and perfection.
•No steps should be taken to correct social ills.
•Only the fittest societies would survive over
time, leading to a general upgrading of the
world as a whole.
•Functionalist Perspective
1820-1903
Karl Marx
•He believed that the structure of society is
influenced by how its economy is organized.
•Society is divided into two classes.
•Bourgeoisie (capitalists) and Proletariat
(workers).
•He believed that a classless society would
eventually form when the workers over threw
those in power. (Socialism)
•Each citizen would contribute “according to
his ability”.
•He believed that a society’s economic system
strongly influences its social structure. This
has had a lasting influence on sociology.
•Conflict Perspective
1818-1883
Max Weber
•He was interested in separate groups
within society rather than in society
as a whole.
•He thought that a sociologist should
go beyond studying what can be
directly observed and attempt to
uncover the feelings and thoughts of
individuals.
Verstehen: to understanding the
meanings individuals attach to their
actions.
Ideal Type: a description comprised of
the essential characteristics of a
feature of society. (education for all
U.S. citizens)
•Interactionist Perspective
1864-1920
Three Main Theoretical Perspectives:
Three Ways of Viewing Society
• FUNCTIONALISTS – see society as a set of interrelated parts that
work together to produce a stable social system
• Focus on groups in society
• Believe society held together by consensus, most agree what is best
in order for society to run smoothly
• Focus on functions and dysfunctions; positive and negative
elements of society
• Elements of society can have manifest or latent consequences
• Manifest- intended and recognized consequence
• Latent- unintended consequence
What are the manifest and latent functions of the following?
Video games, cell phones, computers, (you create an example)
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Three Main Theoretical Perspectives:
Three Ways of Viewing Society
CONFLICT THEORISTS – focus on forces in society that promote
competition and change; see social change as an inevitable
feature of society
Focus on groups in society
Marx created this theory
Want to know how those with more power exercise that power
over those with less
Conflicts can be violent or non-violent conflicts in society
Resources are scarce (power, money) people compete for these
resources, then need to protect their interests
Brainstorm: How do we see the Conflict Theory playing out in
the world around us?
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Three Main Theoretical Perspectives:
Three Ways of Viewing Society
INTERACTIONISTS – focus on how individuals interact in society
and on the meanings individuals attach to their own and to
other’s actions, how people respond in society
This theory focuses on the individual
This theory is concerned with an individuals emotions, thought
process/decision making
Focuses on the role of symbols in everyday life
How would the Interactionist Perspective apply to the following?
-Choosing a job
-Increased use of technology
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SECTION 2
Sociology: Then and Now
Functionalists
see society as a set of
interrelated parts that work
together to produce a stable
social system; focus on
functions and dysfunctions
THREE SOCIOLOGICAL
PERSPECTIVES
Conflict Theorists
Interactionists
focus of forces in society that
promote competition and
change; see social change as
an inevitable feature of society
focus on how individuals
interact in society and on the
meanings individuals attach to
their own and others’ actions
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Group Activity
• In a group of 3:
• 1) Using the three perspectives of Sociology
create a real-life example where you could use
each theory to investigate an area (concern) in
society. Be sure to explain the social concern
and how the theory is useful for investigation.
• 2) Which theory do you like best? Explain.