Introduction to Sociology

1
Introduction to Sociology

• Soc 101
• Chapter 1

2
What is Sociology?

• In pairs, share responses

3
Definitions of Sociology

• Macionis The systematic study of human society
• Henslin Scientific study of society and human
  behavior

4
Online ResourcesSOC101 - Intro. To Sociology

• Macionis Companion Website
• http//wps.prenhall.com/hss_macionis_society 9
• A Sociological Tour through Cyberspace
• http//www.trinity.edu/mkearl/
• American Sociological Association Website
• http//www.asanet.org/
• The Sociology Page
• http//www.thesociologypage.com/
• US Census Website
• http//quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/index.html

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Benefits of Sociology

• Helps us assess the truth of common sense
• Helps us see the opportunities constraints in
  our lives
• Helps us understand society
• Helps us live in a diverse world

6
Origins of Sociology

• Developed in Europe during period of rapid change
  (Industrial Revolution)
• Sociology is a relatively young science
• Important early contributors

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Auguste Comte

• 1798 1857
• Coined term sociology
• Advocated applying scientific methods to social
  world

8
Karl Marx

• 1818 1883
• German philosopher
• Founder of conflict theory

9
Emile Durkheim

• 1858 1917
• French sociologist
• 1st sociology professor
• A founder of functionalism
• Work on suicide

10
Max Weber

• 1864 1920
• German sociologist
• Emphasized verstehen
• Work on bureaucracy

11
Sociological Theory

• A theory is a statement of how and why specific
  facts are related.
• In building theory, 2 basic questions
• 1) What issues should we study?
• 2) How should we connect the facts?

12
Theoretical Paradigms

• A paradigm is a basic image of society that
  guides thinking and research.
• The 3 major paradigms in sociology
• 1) Structural-functional
• 2) Social-conflict
• 3) Symbolic interaction

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SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISMSOCIETY EVERYDAY
INTERACTION OF INDIVIDUALS

• SOCIETY CHANGES AS WE CONTINUE TO INTERACT AND
  NEGOTIATE MEANING THROUGH THE USE OF SYMBOLS
• SYMBOLS - THINGS TO WHICH WE ATTACH MEANINGS
• language / gestures / signs / physical movements
  / expressions

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STRUCTURAL FUNCTIONALISM

• STRUCTURE
• INTERLOCKING SOCIAL ORGANIZATION
• INSTITUTIONS, STATUSES, ROLES
• FUNCTIONS
• MEETING PEOPLES NEEDS
• TYPES OF FUNCTIONS - NEXT SLIDE
• MANIFEST (INTENDED)
• LATENT (UNINTENDED)
• DYSFUNCTIONS (NEGATIVE HURTFUL)

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STRUCTURAL FUNCTIONALISM

• VARIOUS TYPES OF FUNCTIONS
• MANIFEST FUNCTIONS
• LATENT FUNCTIONS
• DYSFUNCTIONS

THE AUTOMOBILE MAKES FOR A GOOD EXAMPLE OF HOW
ITEMS PRODUCE VARIOUS FUNCTIONS
16
SOCIAL CONFLICT

• CLASS CONFLICT
• CAPITALISTS VERSUS THE WORKERS
• ONES RELATIONSHIP TO THE MEANS OF PRODUCTION
  DICTATED TO WHICH GROUP A PERSON BELONGED
• GROUPS STILL STRUGGLE AGAINST EACH OTHER FOR
  THEIR FAIR SHARE OF SCARCE RESOURCES

17
Scientific Sociology

• To test theories, sociologists conduct research.
• Research uses the logic of science, based on
  empirical evidence we confirm with our senses.

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Research Ethics

• Ethics is often defined as doing the right
  thing.

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How can you judge if youre doing the right thing?

• Some questions to ask
• 1) Would I want this action to be broadcast on
  the 6 pm news?
• 2) Would I want others to do this to me?
• 3) Will doing this promote trust in me?

20
Traditional Ethical Principles Used By Researchers

• Maintain objectivity integrity
• Respect subjects right to privacy
• Protect subjects from harm
• Preserve confidentiality

• Acknowledge research assistance
• Disclose all sources of financial support

21
ASA Code of Ethics

• ASA Code (latest version adopted in 1997) sets
  forth the ethical standards that underlie
  sociologists professional responsibilities and
  conduct.

22
Research Methods

• A research method is a systematic plan for
  conducting research.
• Four widely used methods in sociology
  experiments, surveys, participant observation,
  and use of existing sources.
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of each?

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STEPS IN SOCIAL RESEARCH

• SELECT TOPIC
• DEFINE THE PROBLEM
• REVIEW THE LITERATURE
• FORMULATE HYPOTHESIS
• SELECT RESEARCH METHODS
• COLLECT DATA
• ANALYZE THE DATA
• REVIEW FINDS

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RESEARCH METHODS

• SURVEYS
• PARTICIPANT OBSERVATION
• SECONDARY ANALYSIS
• DOCUMENTS
• UNOBTRUSIVE MEASURES
• EXPERIMENTS

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RESEARCH CONCERNS

• DIFFICULTY WITH SUBJECT MATTER
• PROBLEMS WITH OBJECTIVITY
• RESEARCHER BIAS
• VALIDITY AND RELIABILITY
• HUMAN SUBJECTS REVIEW COMMITTEES
• OTHER ETHICAL CONCERNS

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Closing Quiz

• True False Items
• Sociology developed in Europe in the 18th
  century.
• Comte coined the term sociology.
• Durkheim founded the conflict paradigm.
• The American Sociological Association has
  developed an important Code of Ethics.
• Sociologists rarely do surveys.