10-400-13 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Joseph Nye, Fair Division, Invisible Hand
SOCIOLOGY EXAM #1 REVIEW
SOCIOLOGY
Sociology is the scientific study of human social life, groups and societies.
It demonstrates the need for a much broader view of our nature and
actions. It teaches what we regard as inevitable, good or true may not be
such and that the natural in our lives is strongly influenced by historical
and social forces.
C. Wright Mills: Sociological imagination: Think ourselves way from our
daily routines to look at them anew. It allows us to see that many events
that seem to concern only the individual actually reflect larger social
issues. (ex: Drinking and eating n all societies promote social interaction
and enactment of rituals)
Social structure: In our lives, social contexts are not random events but
distinct patterns. There are regularities in our behavior and our
relationships.
American society is influenced by globalisation, which reflects local
worldwide and local phenomena.
Developing a global perspective demonstrates how we are connected to
people in other societies but also makes is more aware of problems the
world faces.
Theory: Abstract interpretation that can explain a wide variety of situation
(ex: Industrialisation. Identify the main, shared features of industrial
development)
Early theorists:
oAuguste compte: He invented the word sociology, which describe
the subject he wished to establish. This new field would produce
knowledge of society based on scientific evidence. He believes that
sociology would contribute to the welfare of humanity.
oEmile Durkheim: Believes that sociology must study social facts
(aspects of social life that shape our actions) in order to become
scientific. Believes that social life can be analyzed as rigorously as
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objects or events in nature. He saw society as independent parts
which work in harmony. For society to continue to exist, each
specialized institutions must function together (organic solidarity)
Development of division of labor. As the division of labor
expands, people become more dependent on each other
because each person needs goods + services that those in
other occupations supply.
Anomie: Feeling of aimlessness or despair provoked by
modern life (a cause of suicide)
oKarl Marx: He explained the social changes which arise from the
industrial revolution.
Materialist conception of history: It is not the ideas or values
human beings hold that are the main sources of social
change. Rather, social change is prompted primarily by
economic influences. The conflict btw classes provide the
motivation for historical development.
Capitalism: A class system in which conflict is inevitable
because in the interests of the ruling class to exploit the
working class. He believes that in the future, there will be no
divisions btw poor and rich. (more equal)
The impulse behind social change resides in the pressure
toward constant economic transformation produced by the
spread of capitalist production.
oMax Weber: He believes that economic factors are important but
ideas and values have just as much effect on social change. He
concluded that certain aspects of Christian beliefs strongly
influenced the rise of capitalism. Cultural ideas and values shape
society and affect individual actions.
Bureaucracy: A large organization that is divided into jobs
based on specific functions and staffed by officials ranked
according to a hierarchy.
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Religious values were fundamental importance in creating a
capitalistic outlook.
Rationalization: The organization of social, economic, and
cultural life according to principles of efficiency.
oHarriet Martineau: She argued that when one studies a society, one
must focus on all its aspects, including key political, religious and
social institutions. Also, it must include an understanding of
women’s life. Finally, she was the first to include marriage, children,
domestic and religious life and race relations.
oW.E.B Du Bois: Double consciousness: A way of talking about
identities through the lens of the experiences of African Americans.
One’s sense of self and identity are influenced by historical
experiences and social circumstances
Modern theoretical approaches:
oSymbolic interactionism (George Hebert M): Study of language in
analyzing the social word. The language allows us to become self-
conscious being (aware of our own individuality). All interactions
among individuals involve an exchange of symbols. (We constantly
look for clues of what the type of behavior is appropriate in the
context)
oFunctionalism: Study the function of a social activity is to analyze its
contribution to the continuation of the society as a whole. It
emphasizes the importance of moral consensus in maintaining
order and stability in society.
Manifest functions: Are those know by the participants in a
social activity
Latent functions: Consequences of that activity of which
participants are unaware.
oMarxism: Emphasis more on conflict, class divisions, power and
ideology than non-Marxism sociologist.
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Document Summary
Sociology is the scientific study of human social life, groups and societies. It demonstrates the need for a much broader view of our nature and actions. It teaches what we regard as inevitable, good or true may not be such and that the natural in our lives is strongly influenced by historical and social forces. C. wright mills: sociological imagination: think ourselves way from our daily routines to look at them anew. It allows us to see that many events that seem to concern only the individual actually reflect larger social issues. (ex: drinking and eating n all societies promote social interaction and enactment of rituals) Social structure: in our lives, social contexts are not random events but distinct patterns. There are regularities in our behavior and our relationships. American society is influenced by globalisation, which reflects local worldwide and local phenomena.
