SociologyThe study of people in groupsGroups in the process of self-formationthrough the actions of individualsthrough the actions and forces of the groups themselves

The Study of People in GroupsThe Scientific study of groups and group formationGroups, as collections of people in the process of self-definition

Scientific Study of GroupsInvolves Methods of StudyInvolves Theories of Study

METHODS of STUDY Observation (obtrusive and unobtrusive)Surveys ExperimentsHistorical ComparisonCross-Cultural ComparisonArchival Research

Suspending JudgementA key attitude in the study of society is the research approach called cultural relativismThis is in contrast to the common approach, which views other cultures and societies from the point of view of ones own values and beliefs-- otherwise known as ethnocentrism

Theories of StudyFunctionalism (and variations)structuralismSocial Conflict TheorySymbolic InteractionismGender Theory (Feminist Theory)

FunctionalismSocial groups and society are viewed like living organismsgroups and group processes are studied as parts of a functioning wholeaspects and behaviors of society may have obvious (manifest) functions or hidden (latent) functions

Functionalism: DurkheimEmile Durkheim: French Sociologist(1858-1917)Considered one of the fathers of modern sociology

Social Conflict TheorySociety is created from the ongoing conflict between key groupsAccording to some theorists, these groups are the main economic classes of societythese are made up of those who own the main wealth of society, and those who own little but their ability to labor

Social Conflict Theory:MarxThe main theorist representing this approach is Karl Marx (1818-1883)He saw society as being built out of the conflicting interests of the owner class and the working classIn his view, the ensuing struggle between classes would lead to a classless society

Symbolic InteractionismSymbols are the basis of social lifeIndividuals and societies develop through peoples interaction through symbolsIndividuals develop a sense of themselves as they learn to use symbolsIndividuals develop a sense of themselves as they learn to see themselves the way they believe others see them

Symbolic InteractionistsCharles Horton Cooley (1864-1929)George Herbert Mead (1863-1947)Erving GoffmanThe Presentation of Self in Everyday Life

Culture and SocietyMaterial and Non-Material CultureCulture as Webs of Meaning...As Blueprint of/for societyMade up, as well, of norms, values, mores and folkwaysThe culture of a society is passed on from one generation to the next

Culture and SocietyThe culture of any group is passed on from one generation to the next through ongoing, lifelong processes of socializationA related concept is enculturationSocial members may even be resocialized in their lifetime if they do not conform to the values, mores, norms etc. of their group

SocializationSocialization (enculturation) is a life-long process, that begins at birthWe are first socialized by those who are closest to us in our early months and yearsThis first development is called primary socializationLater we are socialized through our wider society, and this is called secondary socialization

GroupsSociology is the study of groups of people in process of self-definition as groupsA group is a collection of people (but not all collections of people are groups!)Sociology studies, among other things, how individuals impact and shape groupsSociology studies, as well, how groups impact and shape individuals

Groups: Common Termsaggregatecategoryvoluntary and involuntary groupsreference groupspeer groupsprimary and secondary groups

Groups: More Termsstatusachievedascribedrolesin-groupout-group

Formal OrganizationsFormal organizations are usually large-scale groups that have a planned focus and a clearly defined structureSuch organizations are often referred to as bureaucraciesMax Weber studied bureaucracies as ideal organizations of complex, modern society

BureaucraciesAccording to Weber, bureaucracies represented the ideal organization of large-scale, modern society....with such characteristics as the complex division of labor...with a hierarchical structure of authority...and a complex system of clear and predictable rules

Social InequalityA persistent character of groups throughout the world is that of stratificationStratification is the unequal division of societiesThis division can be based on a variety of factors including:

Stratification:Class...Race...Gender...Power...Prestige...

Class: MarxAccording to Marx (and other social conflict theorists) class is the division of societies into several main groups, including:...those who own the productive wealth of society ...those who own only their labor (the workers)

Class: MarxIn this theory, this was the fundamental difference between the classes of industrial society...and this division would eventually disappear as workers struggled for the power of the owner class

Class: WeberAccording to Weber, the stratification of society was based on a broader range of factors, including....wealth....power....prestigeAnd one could have any one of these to be in a higher class..... (examples?)

Poverty Among the StratifiedPoverty is a persistent feature of stratification throughout the worldWhile many would argue about its very definitionAnd many would argue about its real cause(s)

Relative and Absolute PovertyMuch of poverty in the world is what could be termed relative poverty....While much of the world lives in absolute poverty......the latter being a state in which ones very survival is threatened by the lack of resources (eg. food, clothing, medical care etc.)

Causes of PovertyWhy does poverty persist in the world?Functionalist view....Social-conflict theory...Social-interactionist theory...Gender/Feminist theory...

Other Divisions: Race and EthnicityRace and ethnicity are also dividing factors in our society (and our wider world)Race is the social definition of people based one biological characteristicsEthnicity is the social definition of people based on cultural ties (like language, dress, customs, beliefs, etc.)

Race: Key TermsPrejudiceDiscriminationRacismSocial definition of RaceInstitutional RacismMinority Status

Race: More Key TermsGenocide (ethnic cleansing)ExpulsionSegregation (apartheid)AssimilationAmalgamationCultural pluralism

Other Divisions: GenderSex: biological characteristicsxy/xx, hormones, primary and secondary sex characteristicsGender: the social definition of groups based on biological characteristics....(sound familiar? see the variation of this theme under race)

Gender: Nature vs. NurtureHow much of what we are as masculine and feminine is .....learned through socialization........or built-in to us through our genes, hormones and brain-structure?

Gender: biological destiny?How much of the stratification of our society along gendered lines is natural--based on our biological make-up........and how much is the result of social definition of opportunities etc. based on biological makeup....?

Gender: biological destiny?the glass ceiling...female job-ghettosthe feminization of povertyAre these natural divisions of the world?

Social InstitutionsSociety is in process of self-definition...As social practices of groups become familiar, accepted and expected they become what sociology calls institutionsThis refers to organized practices and relationships of society, rather than to physical places...

Social Institutions Include......family...religion...economics and politics...education

Family: The way we never were...The sociological study of family:historical comparison...Kodachrome...the good-old days...cross-cultural comparison...family values around the world...family today: the ideal vs. the real

Religion= Primitive Science?The enlightened view of religion...science replacing religion the emergence of rational explanation of the worldClassifying the worlds cultures : from savagery to civilization? Sociologists get involved.....Durkheim et. al

Religion vs. Science?Is there necessarily any conflict between religion and science?examples of conflict in history....the earth is the center of the universethere is no such thing as a vacuumGod created man on the 7th day... not through evolution....

Religion vs. Science?Why did such scientific assertions challenge religion?Do they necessarily undermine, or contradict religious beliefs and tradtitions?Today, does the sociological study of religion necessarily mean the rejection of religion?

Sociology and Religion:Which theory would say...Religion dulls people to the reality of class conflict...Religion should be studied for the things it does for the cohesion of society...Religion should also be studied for its gendered character in history and contemporary society...

Deviance and Social ControlRemember... Sociology is the study of.....Groups in self-definition set boundaries...who belongswho does notThis is done by the way people talk, dress, behave etc.

Deviance and Social ControlDeviance is relative to values of the wider society.... How is this so?or.... if a deviant fell in the woods, and nobody was around to hear this....Deviant behavior and beliefs often find their way, eventually, into mainstream society:or... underwear as outerwear....

Deviance and Social ControlDeviant behavior today may also have been accepted social practice in the past...spare the rod and avoid the DCYFno smoking! you @#@!@!##@opium under the Pastors porch...

Which theory would.......See deviance as the definition of the powerful in a society?...See deviance as learned through processes of seeing oneself in relation to others and their expectations?...See deviance as having some positive functions in society, as well as being a sign of the malfunction or dysfunction of society?

A Rap on DevianceThe latent and manifest functions of parental advisorystickersBut isnt Rap just missing a C?Rap... In context of history....A conflict of power in history and contemporary society?

U.S. Income Distribution

U.S. Income Distribution

U.S. Income Distribution

U.S. Income Distribution

U.S. Income Distribution