Chapter 1:

WHAT IS SOCIOLOGY?

Social science—study human, social world

Scientific study:• Society • Human social behavior

Individuals & society=Interdependent

WHAT IS SOCIOLOGY?

Organized and Enduring patterns of

Social interaction

SOCIAL STRUCTURE

Characteristics of Social Structure

One Story

Two Story Three Story

Multiple Level Structure

Characteristics of the Structure

http://www.hardwaresphere.com/2011/03/01/amazing-three-story-house-connected-with-slides-on-all-levels/

HOUSE WITH SLIDES

Basic social needsEducationEconomics

PoliticsFamily

What basic social needs do these meet?

SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS

LEVELS OF ANALYSIS

Microsociology: Small group interactions

Impact on larger institutions

Macrosociology: Large scale social structures

Impact on groups and individuals

Macro-Micro Continuum

What do you know?

How do you know it?

WAYS OF KNOWING

Personal experienceFaith

ExpertsIntuition

ConsensusReasonScience

WAYS OF KNOWING

ScienceLogical system, knowledge based on direct, systematic

observation

Scientific SociologyStudy of society based on systematic observation

Empirical EvidenceInformation we can verify with our senses

1. Write down a question that you would like to ask people in the class. The question should be easy to answer with the following: Yes or No Male or Female Younger or Older More or less

2. Create a hypothesis: Predict your findings.

LET’ S DO RESEARCH

3. Collect data: Ask people in the class to answer your question and record their answers.

4. Analyze data: Add up the number of people who gave the same response to your question.

5. Report findings: Summary of responses

6. Was your hypothesis supported or not?

LET’ S DO RESEARCH

THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD

1. Research Question:How much do couples deceive each other?

What factors influence deception?

2. Background Research Literature Review

DECEPTION RESEARCH

3. Construct a Hypothesis The more people love their partners, the

less they lie to the partners.

4. Test the Hypothesis (Collect Data) Create Questionnaire

5. Analyze Data and Draw Conclusion Statistics and Interpretation

DECEPTION RESEARCH

6. Report Results (Was hypothesis supported?)

No Love not related to deception

DECEPTION RESEARCH

Quantitative Research: Numerical dataStatistical analysis

Examples:

• U.S. Census

• Uniform Crime Report

METHODOLOGICAL APPROACHES

Qualitative Research:Non-numerical data

Texts Interviews Photos RecordingsBooks

METHODOLOGICAL APPROACHES

C. Wright Mills

“To understand social life, we must understand the intersection between

biography and history.”

SOCIOLOGICAL IMAGINATION

C. Wright Mills

Committed to social change, and angered by the oppression he saw around him

Sociological Imagination

1.Unemployment

2.Choosing a career

3.Clothing

Happens when you:

Experience disorientation

Entering new environment

CULTURE SHOCK

CULTURE SHOCK

CULTURE SHOCK—FOOD

CULTURE SHOCK

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBND33BNfZw

The Giraffe Women

“Beginner’s Mind”No preconceptionsOpen and receptive

“Expert’s Mind”FactsAssumptionsOpinions and Explanations

THE BEGINNER’S MIND

Clear minds of:

•Stereotypes

•Expectations

•Opinions

Be receptive to experiences

THE BEGINNER’S MIND

Practical knowledge to get through daily life

May not have scientific or technical knowledge

List of your “practical knowledge”.

THE EVERYDAY ACTOR

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYmrg3owTRE&feature=related

Hugh Laurie and Ellen DeGeneres

Language

SKILLS OF AN EVERYDAY ACTOR

THE SOCIAL ANALYST

Studies social world in a:

Systematic,

Comprehensive,

Coherent, &

Consistent manner

Creates scientific knowledge

Use of technology—Phones (Dialing)http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=KSTOT7RBkNc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eaikf34WN-A&feature=related

(Touch Tone)

THE SOCIAL ANALYST

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8J6uEUXlR0

Marshall McLuhan:

Global Village

THE U.S. IN GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE

If the world were a village of 100 people (Imagine)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6eTr4ldDYg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4639vev1Rw&feature=related (official version)

How big the earth really is…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJ8UAMR98y4&feature=related

THE U.S. IN GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE

World as 100 people (weapons)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNnbO8x4JAY&feature=related

Did You Know?http://www.youtube.com/watch?

NR=1&v=YmwwrGV_aiE

THE U.S. IN GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE