The Sociological Perspectives The Structural/Functional Perspective The Conflict Perspective Symbolic/Interactionist Perspective Structural - Functional Society is viewed as a complex system of parts (structures) that interact to perform various necessary functions Shared values, norms, attitudes and beliefs (consensus) Change is generally viewed as disruptive and gradual Macrosociology Conflict Theory Views society as a struggle for resources and power Change is inevitable. social consensus is limited and inequality is widespread Macrosociology . often beneficial and can be violent Conflict between the classes determines social change Some groups prosper at the expense of others Conflict is universal. gestures and nonverbal communications Humans are social animals and require interaction Asks the questions´ ³How do individuals experience one another?´ ³How do they interpret the meaning of these interactions?´ and ³How do people construct a sense of self and the society as a whole?´ Microsociology .Symbolic Interactionism Studies society through interactions within individual and small groups Interaction between individuals is negotiated through shared symbols. Famous Theorists (you should know) . social engineering . sociology the ³queen´ of sciences.Auguste Comte (French)(1798(French)(1798-1857) Coined the term ³sociology´ Believed society could be studied like any other science Key concepts: positivism. Comte¶s work into English Concerned with social change and the plight of women and children in English factories during the early phases of industrialization First acknowledged female sociologist Examined emerging American society (c 1834) .Harriet Martineau English (1802-1876) (1802- Translated A. mechanical and organic solidarity. collective conscience. social structure social solidarity.Émile Durkheim (French) (1858-1917) Founded sociology as an academic discipline Famous for his study on suicides (1897) Use of statistics in sociology Key concepts: social facts. anomie Structural/functionalist theorist . social class. synthesis) . dialectics (thesis. bourgeoisie. antithesis. capitalists.Karl Marx (German) (1818-1883) Founder of political / economic theory of socialism (communism) Considered the founder of the conflict perspective Wrote the Communist Manifesto and co wrote Das Kapital (with Friedrich Engels) Key concepts: proletariat. loss of individuality . verstehen.Max Weber (German) (1864-1920) Believed that sociologist could never capture the reality of society but should focus on ideal types that best capture the essential features of aspects of social reality Key concepts: bureaucracy. people are becoming prisoners of new technology. rationalization of the modern world. Herbert Spencer (English) (1820-1903) Structural/Functionalist Coined the term ³survival of the fittest´ in reference to human social arrangements (Social Darwinism) Advocated against social reform efforts to poor people because it disrupts the natural selection process of evolution . Jane Addams (American) (1880-1935) Won the first Nobel Peace Prize (1931) given to an American sociologist Founded Hull House for the poor in Chicago Influenced the ³Chicago School´ of applied sociology (social problems) Pioneered the study of social problems . A MUSICAL INTERLUDE 2 4 mf mp p pp 2 4 sfz cresc. va ff p 8 ppp 4 2 3 3 4 . tr tr 15 ma 3 4 4 2 rit. E. Wrote The Philadelphia Negro (1899) on race relations Used statistics to examine racial discrimination against blacks .W. DuBois (American) (1868-1963) First Afro-American PhD graduate of Harvard University Concerned with the social position of African-Americans in US society. B. Talcott Parsons (American) (1902-1979) (1902- Reintroduced the theories of European sociologists while teaching at Harvard University Structural/Functionalist Abstract ³ivory tower´ theoretician Emphasis on empirical research--not social reform . C. radical social change. applied sociology. Wright Mills (American) (1916-1962) Taught at Columbia University Marxist. structural/functionalist theorist Key concepts: power elite. social injustices. the ³sociological imagination´ . ³Strain Theory´ of deviance. Merton (American) (1910-2002) Taught at Columbia University Sought to bridge the European ³grand´ theories and a more focused research style Structural/Functionalist Key concepts: manifest & latent functions.Robert K. dysfunctions . play stage. generalized other. role taking. preparatory stage.George Herbert Mead (American) (1863-1961) Symbolic/Interactionist theorist Believed that the self was a social product acquired by observing and assimilating the identities of others Key concepts: ³I´ & ³me´. significant other. game stage . Charles Horton Cooley (American) (1864-1929) Symbolic interactionist theorist We develop a sense of who we are in society based upon interaction with others and how we feel others perceive us The ³Looking Glass Self´ . frontstage & backstage selves. presentation of self .Erving Goffman (American) (1922-1982) Symbolic interactionist theorist Believed we play roles and present a ³face´ for public view Key concepts: dramaturgical approach. ego defense mechanisms. superego. free association. libidinal energy . seduction theory. id.Sigmund Freud (German)(1856-1939) Psychoanalyst Key concepts: unconscious. psychoanalysis. dream interpretation. ego. psycho-sexual stages. libido. Erik Erikson (German/American)(1902-1994) Psychologist Eight Stages of Man (Psycho-social stages) Focused on ego conflict through the life span and how they are resolved . the ³Heinz scenario´ .Lawrence Kohlberg (American)(1927-1988) Psychologist Expanded Piaget¶s theory of moral development in children Key concepts: Stages of Moral Development. author of In a Different Voice.) Social psychologist: former student of Lawrence Kohlberg Took a feminist perspective to moral reasoning. justice & law (males) . which proposes that males and females have different moral reasoning Key concepts: caring perspective (females).Carol Gilligan (American) (1936. vicarious reinforcement. performed classic study of imitation and aggressive behaviors in children.) Social (cognitive) psychologist. reciprocal determinism . imitation.Albert Bandura (American) (1925. models. expectancies self efficacy. Key concepts: social learning theory. Beyond Freedom and Dignity. learning theorist. the Skinner Box . Taught at Harvard University. and Walden Two Key concepts: operant learning. shaping.B(urrhus) F(redrick) Skinner (American) (1904-1990) Psychologist. schedules of reinforcement. probably the most famous American psychologist Wrote several books including: The Behavior of Organisms. punishment. behavior modification. positive & negative reinforcement. behaviorist.