SOC 101 SECTION 1007 8 26 15 CHAPTER 1 The Sociological Perspective 1 3 Sociology the systematic study of human society Sociological perspective Seeing the general in the particular The special point of view of sociology that sees general patterns of society in the lives of particular people Starts from curiosity about people Industrialization process by which societies are transformed from dependence on agriculture and handmade products to an emphasis on manufacturing and related industries Industrial revolution Seeing the General in the Particular 4 Society has the power to guide our actions thoughts and feelings Sociology is different from common sense What does the sociological perspective tell us about whom any individual chooses to marry The operation of society guides many of our personal choices Seeing the Strange in the Familiar 5 6 We live in an individualistic society People that attend college are usually between 18 30 yrs old and come from 7 out of every 100 people have a college degree families with above average incomes Seeing Society in our everyday lives 7 Society influences how many children women have and who is more likely to commit suicide Social integration categories of people with strong social ties had low suicide rates and more individualistic categories of people had high suicide rates Seeing Sociologically Marginality and Crisis 7 8 Society shapes individual lives in two different ways Living on the margins of society for example racial minorities women or gays and living through a social crisis for example The Great Depression Social change encourages sociological thinking however sociological thinking can also bring about social change The Importance of a Global Perspective Middle Income Countries study of larger world and our society s place in it 72 nations with highest overall standards of living Global perspective What is the importance of a global perspective for sociology Global Awareness High Income Countries economically well off the world as a whole rural villages cities walk or bike 8 10 years of school social inequality people are poor poor housing unsafe water food shortage 53 nations with a low standard of living in which most 70 nations with a standard of living about average for Global Perspective Importance Low Income Countries 1 Where we live shapes the lives we lead To understand ourselves we must understand how countries differ 2 Societies throughout the world are increasingly interconnected technology exchange of culture food music language trade creates global economy new jobs involve global understanding 3 Many social problems that we face in the United States are far more serious elsewhere poverty gender inequality etc 4 Thinking globally helps us learn more about ourselves we can understand ourselves only to the extent that we understand others Applying the Sociological Perspective Sociology guides our laws and policies The use of the Sociological perspective leads to personal growth and expands our awareness Sociology and Public Policy The sociological perspective is great preparation for your future career Sociologists helped shape public policy and divorce laws Ex increase to women s claims to marital property Ex racial desegregation school busing Sociology and Personal Growth Benefits of using sociology 1 The sociological perspective helps us assess the truth of common sense We accept common sense beliefs but that doesn t make them true 2 The sociological perspective helps us see the opportunities and constraints in our lives We pursue our goals more effectively 3 The sociological perspective empowers us to be active participants in our society We can make changes to our society if we are aware of problems 4 The sociological perspective helps us live in a diverse world Recognizing the strengths and weaknesses of all ways of life all societies including our own to improve our way of life Careers The Sociology Advantage Sociologist study social behavior and carry out evaluation research Advantage in almost every job including police officers nurses physical therapists doctors public relations journalism business banking and of course social work The Origins of Sociology Social Change and Sociology Birth of sociology was itself the result of powerful social forces were important to the development of sociology rise of a 3 kinds of change factory based industrial economy explosive growth of cities and new ideas about democracy and political rights Took place in Europe 18th 19th century A New Industrial Economy By end of 18th century people began to work in large anonymous labor forces and factories instead of at their homes doing small scale manufacturing Traditions weakened society began to change Change in economics but in families too The Growth of Cities Enclosure movement caused farmers to look for jobs in new factories so cities began to grow Social problems arose pollution crime homelessness Urban growth immigration Massive migration to cities Work places located in urban areas What kinds of problems do you think came along with this kind of massive growth Crime pollution poverty Producers become consumers Political Change The Enlightenment Shift in focus from a moral obligation to God and king to the pursuit of self interest personal liberties individual rights Examples Declaration of Independence The French Revolution England France and Germany experienced Social Change factories cities A New Awareness of Society individualism Science and Sociology Father of Sociology Auguste Comte 1798 1857 coined the term Sociology When did sociology emerge as a discipline 18th century Earlier thinkers of sociology such as Aristotle and Plato were more interested in Comte saw sociology as the product of a 3 stage historical development First the ideal society rather than looking at society for what it is like Comte did theological stage religious view that society expressed God s will Second stage metaphysical stage people viewed society as a natural system rather than supernatural Third stage scientific stage compare the study of the physical world to the study of society Positivism a belief that the world can best be understood through scientific inquiry a way of understanding based on science science and sociology Sociological Theory Theory statement of how and why specific facts are related Sociological theory explains social behavior in the world Theoretical approach basic image of society that guides thinking and research