Chapter Preview

Section 1: The Sociological Perspective

Section 2: The Origins of Sociology
Section 3: Theoretical Perspectives
Chapter Preview · Section 1
The Sociological Perspective (pages 6–13)
Sociology studies human social behavior. It
assumes a group, rather than an individual,
perspective. Sociologists look for the patterns in
social relationships. Individuals can benefit by
using their sociological imaginations to look at
events in their personal lives.
Chapter Preview · Section 2
The Origins of Sociology (pages 14–22)
Sociology is a young science. It started with the
writings of European scholars like Auguste Comte,
Harriet Spencer, Karl Marx, Emile Durkheim, and Max
Weber. Jane Addams and W.E.B. Du Bois helped to
focus America’s attention on social issues. After World
War II, America took the lead in developing the field.
Chapter Preview · Section 3
Theoretical Perspectives (pages 23–31)
Sociology includes three major theoretical
perspectives. Functionalism views society as an
integrated whole. Conflict theory looks at class, race,
and gender struggles. Symbolic interactionism
examines how group members use shared symbols as
they interact.
Sociology studies human social behavior. It
assumes a group, rather than an individual,
perspective. Sociologists look for the patterns
in social relationships. Individuals can benefit
by using their sociological imaginations to look
at events in their personal lives.
• perspective
• sociology
• sociological perspective
• social structure
• sociological imagination
How much influence do groups have
on your life?
A. Much influence
B. Some influence
C. Little influence A. A
D. No influence B. B
0% C.
0% C
0% 0%

A BD. D
C D
The Nature of Sociology
• Perspective is a particular point of view.
• Sociology is the study of social structure.
• The sociological perspective always
focuses on the group as opposed to the
individual.

The Social Sciences

How important is it to examine human
behavior on a group level?
A. Very important
B. Somewhat important
C. Not very important A. A
D. Not important at all B. B
0% C.
0% C
0% 0%

A BD. D
C D
The Importance of Patterns
• Social structure is the patterned interaction
of people in social relationships.
• Sociologists focus on a pattern of behavior
shared by members of a group or society,
not the behavior of an individual.
• All groups encourage conformity.
Which size group do you think is the
most likely to encourage conformity?
A. Large
B. Medium
C. Small A. A
D. All have equal influence B. B
0% C.
0% C
0% 0%

A BD. D
C D
Acquiring the Sociological Imagination
• Sociological imagination is the ability of
individuals to see the relationship between
events in their personal lives and events in
their society.
• Sociological imagination allows us to
question accepted ideas, or the conventional
social wisdom.

Health Insurance
Why is it important to understand the
sociological perspective?
A. To better understand the
individual.
B. To know which group is
the best.
A. A
C. To better understand the
forces that effect our lives. B. B
D. To learn how to be social. 0% C.
0% C
0% 0%

A BD. D
C D
Sociology is a young science. It started with the
writings of European scholars like Auguste
Comte, Harriet Martineau, Herbert Spencer,
Karl Marx, Emile Durkheim, and Max Weber.
Jane Addams and W.E.B. Du Bois helped to
focus America’s attention on social issues.
After World War II, America took the lead in
developing the field of sociology.

Time Line of Early

Sociologists
• positivism • class conflict
• social statics • mechanical solidarity
• social dynamics • organic solidarity
• bourgeoisie • verstehen
• capitalist • rationalization
• proletariat
How would you rate changes in our
society over the past few years?
A. Positive
B. Neutral
C. Negative A. A
D. No real changes B. B
0% C.
0% C
0% 0%

A BD. D
C D
European Origins
• Sudden changes during the late 19th
century in Europe caused intellectuals to
begin the study of sociology.
• Auguste Comte used positivism,
scientific observation so that one
can be positive of results, to
study society.

Time Line of Early Auguste Comte

Sociologists
European Origins (cont.)
• Comte distinguished between:
– social statics
– social dynamics

Time Line of Early

Sociologists
European Origins (cont.)
• Harriet Martineau emphasized
sociology as a science and was a
pioneering feminist theorist.

Time Line of Early

Sociologists Harriet Martineau
European Origins (cont.)
• Herbert Spencer compared social
stability to the parts of the body.
• Spencer introduced Social
Darwinism—the idea that
evolutionary social changes
lead to progress provided
people did not interfere.
• He opposed social reform.
Time Line of Early
Sociologists Herbert Spencer
European Origins (cont.)
• Karl Marx wanted social scientists to change
the world instead of merely studying it.
• He thought that the bourgeoisie
(capitalists) and the proletariat would
eventually have a conflict and a classless, or
communistic, society would emerge.

Time Line of Early

Sociologists
European Origins (cont.)
• Marx felt that the key to
the unfolding of history
was class conflict.

Karl Marx
Time Line of Early
Sociologists
European Origins (cont.)
• Emile Durkheim believed that:
– In preindustrial times societies were
based on mechanical solidarity.
– In industrial times societies are based
organic solidarity.

Time Line of Early

Sociologists
European Origins (cont.)
• Durkheim introduced the use of
statistical techniques for testing social
theories.

Time Line of Early

Sociologists Emile Durkheim
European Origins (cont.)
• Max Weber claimed that humans
act on the basis of their own
understanding of a situation.
• Weber believed that the best
understanding of the personal
intentions of people in groups
can be gained through the
method of verstehen.

Time Line of Early Max Weber

Sociologists
European Origins (cont.)
• Weber identified rationalization
as a key influence in the change
of society.

Time Line of Early Max Weber

Sociologists
How did Karl Marx believe a
communistic society would arise?
A. Through the method
of verstehen
B. By rationalization
A. A
C. Class conflict would
ensue B. B
0% C.
0% C
0% 0%
D. Through the rise of
social Darwinism A BD. D
C D
Sociology in America
• The study of sociology began in Europe, but
the greatest development has taken place in
the United States.

Time Line of Early

Sociologists
Sociology in America (cont.)
• Jane Addams was the best known of the early
women social reformers in the United States.

• Addams focused on the

women’s suffrage and
peace movements, as
well as the effects of
industrialism on the lower
class.
Time Line of Early
Sociologists Jane Addams
Sociology in America (cont.)
• Addams was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize
in 1931.

Time Line of Early

Sociologists Jane Addams
Sociology in America (cont.)
• W.E.B. Du Bois experienced and studied
racial discrimination and segregation.
• Du Bois analyzed the
sophisticated social structure
of African American
communities within the
United States and
throughout the world.

Time Line of Early

Sociologists W.E.B. Du Bois
How were Jane Addams and
W.E.B. Du Bois similar?
A. They were both from Europe.
B. Both focused on people
who endured discrimination.
C. They left the United States. A. A
looking for a better life
B. B
D. Both graduated from the
University of Chicago. 0% C.
0% C
0% 0%

A BD. D
C D
Sociology includes three major theoretical
perspectives. Functionalism views society as
an integrated whole. Conflict theory looks at
class, race, and gender struggles. Symbolic
interactionism examines how group members
use shared symbols as they interact.
• theoretical • power
perspective
• symbol
• functionalism
• symbolic interaction
• manifest functions
• dramaturgy
• latent functions
• dysfunction
• conflict perspective
As you have grown older, has your
perspective of school changed?
A. Very much
B. A little
C. Not at all A. A
B. B
0% C.0% C 0%

A B C
The Role of Theoretical Perspectives
• Theoretical perspective, when applied to
sociology, means a set of assumptions
about the workings of a society accepted
as true by the supporters of the theory.
The Role of Theoretical Perspectives
(cont.)

• Three theoretical perspectives overarch in

the field of sociology:
– functionalism
– conflict theory
– symbolic interaction

A World Turned
Upside Down

Perception and
Perspective
Is it important to have different
perspectives?
A. Yes
B. No
C. It depends on the A. A
situation
B. B
0% C.0% C 0%

A B C
Functionalism
• Functionalism states that all parts of a
society contribute, or function, as an
integrated whole.
• A change in one part of a society leads to
change in another part.
Functionalism (cont.)
• According to Robert Merton (1969) there are
two kinds of functions:
– manifest functions
– latent functions
Functionalism (cont.)
• Elements of society that make a negative
contribution lead to dysfunction.
• According to functionalism, there is a
consensus on values that leads to the high
degree of cooperation found in any society.
Which function is unintended and
unrecognized?
A. Manifest function
B. Dysfunction
C. Latent function A. A
D. Malfunction B. B
0% C.
0% C
0% 0%

A BD. D
C D
Conflict Perspective
• The conflict perspective emphasizes that
groups and societies compete as they
attempt to preserve and promote their own
special values and interests.
• Conflict theory is based on a contest for
power.
Which of the following do you feel is
the most associated with power?
A. Wealth
B. Prestige
C. Ideas A. A
D. Physical ability B. B
0% C.
0% C
0% 0%

A BD. D
C D
Symbolic Interactionism
• Symbolic interactionism, according to
Herbert Blumer, is defined as the interactions
among people based on mutually understood
symbols.
Symbolic Interactionism (cont.)
• The basic assumptions of symbolic
interactionism include:
– We learn the meaning of a symbol from
the way we see others reacting to it.
– We base our behavior (interactions) on
those symbols.
– We then use the meanings of symbols to
imagine how others will respond to our
behavior.
Symbolic Interactionism (cont.)
• To better understand human interaction,
Erving Goffman introduced dramaturgy
which describes human interaction as a
theatrical performance.

Assumptions of the
Major Theoretical
Perspectives
Which term means the depiction
of human interaction as a theatrical
performance?
A. Impression
B. Conflict
A. A
C. Dramaturgy
B. B
D. Symbol C. C
0% 0% 0% 0%

A BD. D
C D
The Social Sciences
The Social Sciences
Time Line of Early Sociologists
Time Line of Early Sociologists
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Statistical Abstract
of the United States: 2004–2005.
A World Turned Upside Down
Perception and Perspective
 Sociology Chapter
Transparencies

Comparing Theoretical Perspectives

Mixed-Up Calendar
perspective
a particular point of view
sociology
the scientific study of social structure
(patterned social behavior)
sociological perspective
a view that looks at the behavior of groups,
not individuals
social structure
the patterned interaction of people in social
relationships
sociological imagination
the ability to see the link between society
and self
positivism
the belief that knowledge should be
derived from scientific observation
social statics
the study of social stability and order
social dynamics
the study of social change
bourgeoisie
class owning the means for producing wealth
capitalist
person who owns or controls the means for
producing wealth
proletariat
working class; those who labor for the
bourgeoisie
class conflict
the ongoing struggle between the bourgeoisie
(owners) and the proletariat (working) classes
mechanical solidarity
social dependency based on a widespread
consensus of values and beliefs, enforced
conformity, and dependence on tradition and
family
organic solidarity
social interdependency based on a high degree
of specialization in roles
verstehen
understanding social behavior by putting
yourself in the place of others
rationalization
the mind-set emphasizing knowledge, reason,
and planning
theoretical perspective
a set of assumptions accepted as true
functionalism
approach that emphasizes the contributions
made by each part of society
manifest functions
intended and recognized consequences of an
aspect of society
latent functions
unintended and unrecognized consequences
of an aspect of society
dysfunction
negative consequence of an aspect of society
conflict perspective
approach emphasizing the role of conflict,
competition, and constraint within a society
power
the ability to control the behavior of others
symbol
anything that stands for something else and has
an agreed-upon meaning attached to it
symbolic interactionism
approach that focuses on the interactions
among people based on mutually understood
symbols
dramaturgy
approach that depicts human interaction as
theatrical performances
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