The Sociological Perspective examines human behavior within the broader social context How society influences individuals Social Location group memberships influenced by gender race social class etc Applying the sociological perspective Social Location Example Blue for boys pink for girls boys strong sports girls motherly sweet In 1800s pink associated with strength and power blue associated with calm Virgin Mary Why does social location matter influence on race family jobs Social Context Every society has history Everyone has a biography or life story External influences thoughts and motivations Social Context Example 1st generation Indian American Languages Hindi and English Religion Hinduism Diet No beef weekly fasts Relationships traditional Indian man Origins of Sociology Superstitions myths and star alignments explained social life Scientific Method mid 1800s in social sciences theories are proven Industrial Revolution urbanization poor quality life Tradition no longer provided satisfactory answers to social issues Founders Comte study and reform society Positivism apply scientific method to social world Spencer 2nd founder opposed social reform Survival of the fittest societies evolve Barbarian Civilized Neither conducted scientific research Marx vs Weber Marx Economics was key to social change Class conflict Bourgeoisie vs Proletariat owners of means of production vs people who work Revolution would lead to classless society No exploitation Weber Religion was key to social change Catholics live traditional lifestyle to enter heaven Protestants unknown till Judgment Day Protestant Ethic financial success God s favor Durkheim Suicide and Social Integration Suicide rates males females Protestants Catholics and Jews Unmarried married Higher Suicide Rates Less social integration North American Sociology Dubois NAACP co founder Studied black white relations Faced racial discrimination Embraced Marxism Addams NAACP and ACLU co founder Campaigned for 8 hour work day and anti child labor laws Nobel Peace prize winner Continuing Tension figure 1 3 pg 12 Comparing contrasting basic public and applied goals Examples of basic and applied sociologists Spencer basic Dubois applied Pros cons Best approach Theoretical perspectives 1 21 15 Importance of theory Facts NEVER interpret themselves Theory general statement about how 2 or more facts relate ice cream sales of drownings ice cream doesn t cause drownings summer time 3 Major Theories Microsociology focuses on individual small scale social patterns Symbolic Interactionism symbols key to understanding our worldview and human communication define our relationships ex of symbol relationship status label of being exclusive wedding ring symbolizes commitment and love micro social interactions verbal non verbal Applying symbolic interactionism Hands Sarah Kay what do hands symbolize handshakes the formality of meeting people clenched fist fighting symbols are relative don t always represent the same thing Macrosociology focuses on larger scale social patterns functionalism conflict theory Functionalism society whole unit with interrelated parts working together structure and function macro structure how everything fits together function what it does in society parts must work in harmony to function smoothly Durkeim normal abnormal state normal classes in session buses running normally power on abnormal bomb threats protests snow days no classes Merton functions keep society balanced dysfunctions disturb equilibrium Latent dysfunctions harmful unintended consequences Manifest functions intended consequences Normal state in Visa video using visa card to increase efficiency Abnormal state using cash causes disorder everything slows don Latent dysfunction credit card debt pay with card and intend pay later credit card fraud Conflict Theory society groups compete for scarce resources macro Marx studied capitalism in its infancy shortcomings in his predictions there wasn t a middle class industrialized societies bourgeoisie vs proletariat conflict occurs in every layer of society ex parents divorce families fight racial conflict conflict most likely occurs in close relationships Why Exposure to being around people a lot get used to them and more comfortable with confrontation Applying conflict theory Wal Mart black Friday protests scarce resource money who s working Men women minorities workers demands vs Marx s prediction Marx was correct in predicting conflict and strikes but they aren t as radical as he predicted them to be Theory and Research work together W out research theory is abstract and empty w out theory research is meaningless facts EVERY theory must be tested through research Doing Sociological Research 1 23 15 Research Model 1 Select Topic 2 Define Problem 3 Review Literature Don t waste time on what s already known 4 Hypothesis predicts relationships between among variables ex 4 year college university graduates earn higher average incomes than 2 year trade school graduates Choose Research Method 5 Collect Data Validity and Reliability 6 Analyze Results 7 Share Results Research Methods Surveys ask series of questions o Pros large enough for a good sample o Cons narrow down population poor sample of population takes time money people aren t always honest Representative Sample shouldn t skew results Random Sample no particular type of people Stratified Random Sample focus on particular subject of population Good Random Sample represents study s population Survey Questions lets respondents express their opinions Bias worthless results Close ended questions multiple choice Open ended questions harder to compare answers Participation Observation Fieldwork how involved should a researcher be with their subjects Case Studies single event situation or individual Secondary Analysis data collected by others Documents books police reports websites Experiments cause effect Random assignment Independent Variable influences Dependent Variable Experimental group receives IV Control Group no IV Unobtrusive Measures people unaware they re being studied Privacy issues Subject bias Take steps to ensure bias doesn t skew findings Ethics don t falsify results or plagiarize subjects must be informed cant be Subject Bias and Ethics harmed Applying Cultural Differences Cultural differences video All I Need 1 26 15 One child goes to school and the other works Material Culture one boy is careless with his shoes and the other works hard to make them