Chapter 1 1 What is Sociology?
Chapter 1
What is Sociology?
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
CHAPTER SUMMARY
The Sociological Viewpoint
Definition of Sociology: science, social structure, social interaction and
social change
The Origins of Sociology and Three Central Figures:
Karl Marx, Emile Durkheim, And Max Weber
Karl Marx
Emile Durkheim
Max Weber
Marx, Durkheim, and Weber Compared
Perspectives within Sociology
Functionalism – the Functionalist Perspective
Conflict Theory – the Conflict Perspective
Research Methods
Qualitative Methods
Quantitative Methods
Quantitative and Qualitative Methods Compared
Ethics and Research
Sociology and the Twenty-First Century
SOCIOLOGISTS AND OTHERS IMPORTANT TO SOCIOLGOY
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE
Fill-in with concepts
Making FALSE statements TRUE
Short answer/Essay
THINKING CRITICALLY
Social change
Sociological perspective
Alienation, anomie, rationality
Functionalism and conflict
theory
Interview research methods
Enrollment in a sociology
course
ANSWERS
Fill-in with concepts
Chapter 1 2 What is Sociology?
Making FALSE statements TRUE
Chapter 1 3 What is Sociology?
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
After reading Chapter 1, completing the "Test Your Knowledge" questions at the end
of Chapter 1 in the text book, and reading and completing this chapter of the study
guide you should be able to:
• define sociology and explain how the sociological viewpoint differs from other
viewpoints
• identify the key figures in the development of sociology and know the ideas
and concepts that each offered sociology
• explain two major perspectives in sociology that were developed in the early
years of sociology and understand how each views society
• understand the different research methods used by sociologists as well as
ethical concerns when conducting social research
CHAPTER SUMMARY
The Sociological Viewpoint
The story on page 1 is used to illustrate the sociological viewpoint. That is, the
perspective from which you view the world is influenced by your position in it. This
may include your social class, sex, race, profession and/or family background. The
sociological viewpoint focuses on the social setting of behavior, the social interaction
among the parties involved and the change through time in social structure and
social interaction.
Sociology, social structure, social interaction and social change
Sociology is defined as the scientific study of social structure and social interaction
and of the factors making for change in social structure and social interaction.
Scientific means that sociological knowledge is based on the principles of science
where evidence is gathered through observation and experimentation.
Social structure is made of the relatively permanent components of our social
environment. Even though all members of a society contribute to the social
structure, it is larger than any single individual. This is because individuals are
constantly entering and exiting the social structure. We may influence the social
structure very little at birth, a great deal during adulthood and little again during
old age. Social structure imposes order and stability on social life. It also may
constrict our behavior. Sociologists seek to understand how social structure is
created, how it changes, and how it affects our lives.
Actions toward and reactions from other individuals constitute social interaction.
Social interaction may take place with someone who is not even physically
present, as in an imaginary conversation. Sociologists study the nature of social
interaction and how relationships can positively or negatively affect our lives.
Even though social life and structure are relatively stable, they are in a constant
process of change. Individuals change over the course of their lives. Societies may
change due to a natural catastrophe, war, a population explosion or a new invention.
Chapter 1 4 What is Sociology?
Chapter 1 5 What is Sociology?
The Origins of Sociology and Three Central Figures: Karl Marx, Emile
Durkheim, and Max Weber
Sociology developed more than 100 years ago as the result of intellectuals’ attempts
to explain changes taking place in traditional societies. In Europe, the Industrial
Revolution was creating profound and permanent changes.
German philosopher Karl Marx is well known for his book, The Communist
Manifesto. Like Martineau, Marx believed that social scientists should try to
improve society. His personal goal was to free workers (the proletariat) from
oppression and poverty that he felt they suffered as the result of industrialization.
He proposed revolution as the only route to freedom. Marx predicted that this would
happen as follows: factory owners (the bourgeoisie) decrease the workers’ over-time
pay in order to make a higher profit; the workers, living in misery, realize that their
only hope is to unite and overthrow the owners; the workers revolt, finally, take over
the factories, establish a new government and a single class society, and abolish the
private ownership of property.
Marx thought that capitalism’s focus on profit resulted in humans being treated like
machines. This transformed work from something meaningful to something
meaningless. It resulted in alienation, a situation in which workers were estranged
from their social worlds and felt that life was meaningless.
French social scientist Emile Durkheim was the first person to hold the title of
professor of education and sociology. Durkheim focused on what holds society
together. He distinguished two types of solidarity (cohesiveness).
Members of traditional societies are very similar to each other. They participate in
the same social life within the same culture and thus share almost identical values.
The society is small, the division of labor simple and the level of technology low.
Durkheim referred to this as mechanical solidarity. Industrial societies, on the
other hand, are large and have a complex division of labor. Members of these
societies come into contact with many strangers on a daily basis. While members
share some values, they disagree on many others. Due to their differences,
Durkheim pointed out, people in industrial societies are interdependent. They rely
on each other for specialized knowledge and skills. Durkheim termed this organic
solidarity. The word organic refers to the idea that each part in an industrial
society functions like a part of the body. Due to the interdependence of parts, an
injury to one part will affect all others.
Finally, Durkheim noticed that rapid changes which sometimes occur in industrial
societies produce a situation in which norms become unclear or disappear. He
termed this situation of uncertainty anomie and identified it as the cause of many
social problems including suicide.
German scholar Max Weber had an enormous impact on the development of
sociology. While attacking Marx’s ideas, Weber actually arrived at a related
conclusion about life under industrial capitalism. Max Weber contributed the idea
of rationalization to sociology. This is the replacement of traditional thinking with
Chapter 1 6 What is Sociology?
thinking that emphasizes deliberate calculation, efficiency, self-control, and
effectiveness in the accomplishment of specific goals. Weber felt that rationalization
and industrialization occurred simultaneously. He believed that rationalization
increased efficiency within society but warned that cold calculation could not replace
the warmth of close social ties.
Perspectives within Sociology
Within sociology there are two major viewpoints or perspectives. The functionalist
viewpoint stems from the work of Durkheim while the conflict viewpoint stems
from the work of Karl Marx.
Functionalism or the functionalist viewpoint argues that parts of a society work
together to maintain the cohesion of the system. This cohesion is the result of
consensus and common values shared by members of the society. The theory
assumes that a failure in one aspect of the system will negatively affect the others.
Functionalist theory assumes that components of society work to maintain
equilibrium, or balance, which permits the whole society to operate smoothly.
However, events such as war can upset the equilibrium.
Functions are actions that positively affect the social system, while dysfunctions
are actions that negatively affect the social system. Manifest functions are those
whose consequences are intended. For example, a manifest function of higher
education is to obtain critical thinking skills necessary to acquire a fulfilling job.
And latent functions are those whose consequences are not intended. For example,
a latent function of higher education is that colleges and universities serve as
marriage markets. Chances are very good that you will marry someone you meet at
college. However, this was probably not the intention of the founders of your school.
Contrary to the functionalist viewpoint or perspective, the conflict viewpoint or
conflict theory proposes that society is held together by social power—the ability
to control the behavior of others against their will. This theory originated in the
thinking of Marx. Conflict theorists believe that social power allows some groups to
dominate others. This results in the constant potential for conflict between the haves
and the have nots. Conflict may take place between individuals, groups of
individuals, or organizations. This theory sees social change as a regular feature of
social life as subordinate groups will strive to change their positions. Conflict
theorists propose that conflict actually holds society together by serving the
dominant group and by creating shifting alliances among special interest groups.
Research Methods
Research methods are divided into two types: qualitative and quantitative. The
type of method used depends upon the type of inquiry. Qualitative methods are
designed to gain the subjective understanding, interpretation, and meaning of social
behavior.
Chapter 1 1 What is Sociology?
Chapter 1
What is Sociology?
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
CHAPTER SUMMARY
The Sociological Viewpoint
Definition of Sociology: science, social structure, social interaction and
social change
The Origins of Sociology and Three Central Figures:
Karl Marx, Emile Durkheim, And Max Weber
Karl Marx
Emile Durkheim
Max Weber
Marx, Durkheim, and Weber Compared
Perspectives within Sociology
Functionalism – the Functionalist Perspective
Conflict Theory – the Conflict Perspective
Research Methods
Qualitative Methods
Quantitative Methods
Quantitative and Qualitative Methods Compared
Ethics and Research
Sociology and the Twenty-First Century
SOCIOLOGISTS AND OTHERS IMPORTANT TO SOCIOLGOY
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE
Fill-in with concepts
Making FALSE statements TRUE
Short answer/Essay
THINKING CRITICALLY
Social change
Sociological perspective
Alienation, anomie, rationality
Functionalism and conflict
theory
Interview research methods
Enrollment in a sociology
course
ANSWERS
Fill-in with concepts
Chapter 1 2 What is Sociology?
Making FALSE statements TRUE
Chapter 1 3 What is Sociology?
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
After reading Chapter 1, completing the "Test Your Knowledge" questions at the end
of Chapter 1 in the text book, and reading and completing this chapter of the study
guide you should be able to:
• define sociology and explain how the sociological viewpoint differs from other
viewpoints
• identify the key figures in the development of sociology and know the ideas
and concepts that each offered sociology
• explain two major perspectives in sociology that were developed in the early
years of sociology and understand how each views society
• understand the different research methods used by sociologists as well as
ethical concerns when conducting social research
CHAPTER SUMMARY
The Sociological Viewpoint
The story on page 1 is used to illustrate the sociological viewpoint. That is, the
perspective from which you view the world is influenced by your position in it. This
may include your social class, sex, race, profession and/or family background. The
sociological viewpoint focuses on the social setting of behavior, the social interaction
among the parties involved and the change through time in social structure and
social interaction.
Sociology, social structure, social interaction and social change
Sociology is defined as the scientific study of social structure and social interaction
and of the factors making for change in social structure and social interaction.
Scientific means that sociological knowledge is based on the principles of science
where evidence is gathered through observation and experimentation.
Social structure is made of the relatively permanent components of our social
environment. Even though all members of a society contribute to the social
structure, it is larger than any single individual. This is because individuals are
constantly entering and exiting the social structure. We may influence the social
structure very little at birth, a great deal during adulthood and little again during
old age. Social structure imposes order and stability on social life. It also may
constrict our behavior. Sociologists seek to understand how social structure is
created, how it changes, and how it affects our lives.
Actions toward and reactions from other individuals constitute social interaction.
Social interaction may take place with someone who is not even physically
present, as in an imaginary conversation. Sociologists study the nature of social
interaction and how relationships can positively or negatively affect our lives.
Even though social life and structure are relatively stable, they are in a constant
process of change. Individuals change over the course of their lives. Societies may
change due to a natural catastrophe, war, a population explosion or a new invention.
Chapter 1 4 What is Sociology?
Chapter 1 5 What is Sociology?
The Origins of Sociology and Three Central Figures: Karl Marx, Emile
Durkheim, and Max Weber
Sociology developed more than 100 years ago as the result of intellectuals’ attempts
to explain changes taking place in traditional societies. In Europe, the Industrial
Revolution was creating profound and permanent changes.
German philosopher Karl Marx is well known for his book, The Communist
Manifesto. Like Martineau, Marx believed that social scientists should try to
improve society. His personal goal was to free workers (the proletariat) from
oppression and poverty that he felt they suffered as the result of industrialization.
He proposed revolution as the only route to freedom. Marx predicted that this would
happen as follows: factory owners (the bourgeoisie) decrease the workers’ over-time
pay in order to make a higher profit; the workers, living in misery, realize that their
only hope is to unite and overthrow the owners; the workers revolt, finally, take over
the factories, establish a new government and a single class society, and abolish the
private ownership of property.
Marx thought that capitalism’s focus on profit resulted in humans being treated like
machines. This transformed work from something meaningful to something
meaningless. It resulted in alienation, a situation in which workers were estranged
from their social worlds and felt that life was meaningless.
French social scientist Emile Durkheim was the first person to hold the title of
professor of education and sociology. Durkheim focused on what holds society
together. He distinguished two types of solidarity (cohesiveness).
Members of traditional societies are very similar to each other. They participate in
the same social life within the same culture and thus share almost identical values.
The society is small, the division of labor simple and the level of technology low.
Durkheim referred to this as mechanical solidarity. Industrial societies, on the
other hand, are large and have a complex division of labor. Members of these
societies come into contact with many strangers on a daily basis. While members
share some values, they disagree on many others. Due to their differences,
Durkheim pointed out, people in industrial societies are interdependent. They rely
on each other for specialized knowledge and skills. Durkheim termed this organic
solidarity. The word organic refers to the idea that each part in an industrial
society functions like a part of the body. Due to the interdependence of parts, an
injury to one part will affect all others.
Finally, Durkheim noticed that rapid changes which sometimes occur in industrial
societies produce a situation in which norms become unclear or disappear. He
termed this situation of uncertainty anomie and identified it as the cause of many
social problems including suicide.
German scholar Max Weber had an enormous impact on the development of
sociology. While attacking Marx’s ideas, Weber actually arrived at a related
conclusion about life under industrial capitalism. Max Weber contributed the idea
of rationalization to sociology. This is the replacement of traditional thinking with
Chapter 1 6 What is Sociology?
thinking that emphasizes deliberate calculation, efficiency, self-control, and
effectiveness in the accomplishment of specific goals. Weber felt that rationalization
and industrialization occurred simultaneously. He believed that rationalization
increased efficiency within society but warned that cold calculation could not replace
the warmth of close social ties.
Perspectives within Sociology
Within sociology there are two major viewpoints or perspectives. The functionalist
viewpoint stems from the work of Durkheim while the conflict viewpoint stems
from the work of Karl Marx.
Functionalism or the functionalist viewpoint argues that parts of a society work
together to maintain the cohesion of the system. This cohesion is the result of
consensus and common values shared by members of the society. The theory
assumes that a failure in one aspect of the system will negatively affect the others.
Functionalist theory assumes that components of society work to maintain
equilibrium, or balance, which permits the whole society to operate smoothly.
However, events such as war can upset the equilibrium.
Functions are actions that positively affect the social system, while dysfunctions
are actions that negatively affect the social system. Manifest functions are those
whose consequences are intended. For example, a manifest function of higher
education is to obtain critical thinking skills necessary to acquire a fulfilling job.
And latent functions are those whose consequences are not intended. For example,
a latent function of higher education is that colleges and universities serve as
marriage markets. Chances are very good that you will marry someone you meet at
college. However, this was probably not the intention of the founders of your school.
Contrary to the functionalist viewpoint or perspective, the conflict viewpoint or
conflict theory proposes that society is held together by social power—the ability
to control the behavior of others against their will. This theory originated in the
thinking of Marx. Conflict theorists believe that social power allows some groups to
dominate others. This results in the constant potential for conflict between the haves
and the have nots. Conflict may take place between individuals, groups of
individuals, or organizations. This theory sees social change as a regular feature of
social life as subordinate groups will strive to change their positions. Conflict
theorists propose that conflict actually holds society together by serving the
dominant group and by creating shifting alliances among special interest groups.
Research Methods
Research methods are divided into two types: qualitative and quantitative. The
type of method used depends upon the type of inquiry. Qualitative methods are
designed to gain the subjective understanding, interpretation, and meaning of social
behavior.
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