Sociology 2

1

1

Objectives:

Presentation of the Beginners mind Assignment

Demonstrate the ability to define theory and explain how theories can change over time:

Introduce the modern school of thoughts in Sociology (the classical paradigms):

Explain the key components of structural functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism

Introduce new theoretical approaches;

Explain the key tenets of feminist theory, queer theory, and postmodern theory

Give a brief introduction of common research methods in social sciences: the tools of the sociological imagination uses to study society

2

2

Assignment: Analyzing everyday life

3

3

Entering the theoretical zone

4

4

What is a Theory?

5

Attempts to understand the (social) world and our place in it, has led to the development of theories

Theories are abstract propositions about how things are as well as how they should be (an explanation of how we think things work)

We refer to theories as approaches, schools of thought (implying that they are different schools of thought), paradigms or perspectives.

Social theories are guiding principles or abstract models that attempt to explain and predict the social world

A theory is comparable to a map. When you discover new places, you have to modify this map

5

6

Is there something like down or above? down and above become relative

6

Theories are dynamic, they change

7

Theories have to be tested:

Thats what scientifically research is all about!

We develop theories and test them, modify them to fit the reality better, why?

Theories will change over time, because their area of study they seek to understand and explain:

Society, itself changes over time

Theories seek to understand society in periods of both order and change

Social change makes theoretical change a continual necessity

7

Example of a theoretical model: the social change model

8

8

Modern schools of thought

9

9

Modern school of thoughts: paradigms

Theoretical umbrellas: they have explanatory broad power

None of them on their own can give an entirely explanation of a whole social phenomena, each one gives its specific answers

These are:

Structural Functionalism

Conflict theory

Symbolic interactionism

10

1. Structural Functionalism (1)

The 2 words can give an idea of this approach: structure and function

Founding fathers: Comte, Spencer and Durkheim

Tenets:

Society is a stable, ordered system of interrelated parts of the structures

Each structure has a function that contributes to the continued stability or equilibrium of the whole

11

Structural Functionalism (2)

Structures defined as social institutions like the family, the educational system, politics, religion, mass media systems, and the economy

Structures meet the need of society by performing different functions:

What would be the functions of above mentioned social institutions? (in terms of manifest* vs. latent** functions)

Dysfunction: a disturbance to or undesirable consequence of some aspect of the social system

Harmony & stability

*Manifest: the obvious intended functions of a social institution (or social system

** Latent: the less obvious, perhaps unintended functions of a social structure

12

2. Conflict theory

Proposes conflict and tension as basic facts of social life and suggests that people have disagreements over goals and values and are involved in struggles over both resources and power

Theory focuses on dominance, competition and social change

Founding father: Marx

Tenets:

A materialistic view of society (focused on labor practices and economic reality, we play by the rules (roles and functions) of these social systems

A critical stance towards existing social arrangements (labor market, democracy, inequality between social groups)

A dynamical model of historical change in which the transformation of society is inevitable (change)

13

3. Symbolic Interactionism

Most influential

Founding father: Mead

Tenets:

We act toward things on the basis of their meanings

Individual, social groups meaning to experience of life: we negotiate meaning

Meanings can change or be modified through interaction and through time

14

Changing meanings of the concept of beauty for teenagers(1975 vs. 2010):

15

New theoretical Approaches

16

16

New Paradigms in Sociology

Because all 3 major paradigms have weakness as well as strengths, they will probably never fully explain the totality of social phenomena, even when taken together

New perspectives will, and indeed must, continue to rise

Changes in society, bring changes in our conceptual way of studying it

17

17

Three contemporary approaches

18

Each is linked to a major contemporary social transformation:

Changing ideas about gender roles

Changing notions of sexual identity

And the changes associated with a postindustrial, technologically based society

18

1. Feminist theory

19

Looks at gender inequalities in society and the way gender structures the social world

Gender is a social construct

19

E.g. A feminist analysis of female fairy tale characters

20

20

21

21

2. Queer theory

22

Proposes that categories of sexual identity are social constructs and that no sexual category is fundamentally either deviant or normal

22

2. Postmodern theory

23

Suggests that there is no universal, knowable truth: realities are fluid and diverse

The kaleidoscope metaphor

23

24

24

25

PerspectiveFocus of AnalysisStructural- FunctionalismAssumes that society is a unifies whole that functions because of the contributions of its separate structuresConflict theorySees social conflict as the basis of society and social change emphasizes a materialist view of society, a critical view of the status quo and a dynamic model of historical changeSymbolic interactionismAsserts that interaction and meaning are central to society and assumes that meanings are not inherent but are created through interactionFeminist theoryLooks at gender inequalities in society and the way gender structures the social worldQueer theory Questions the basis of all social categories, including but not limited to those involving sexualityPostmodernist theorySuggests that social reality is diverse, pluralistic and constantly in flux

25

Introduction to common research methods to study society

26

26

Studying social life: Sociological research methods (1)

27

Distinction between Quantative and Qualitative research methods

Quantative: uses data that can easily be converted into numbers, such as a survey or an experiment

E.g. Censo 2010

27

Studying social life: Sociological research methods (2)

28

Qualitative: involves data that cannot easily be converted to numbers, such as observation or informal interviews.

Most sociological research uses the scientific method

This is the standard for acquiring and verifying empirical scientific knowledge:

After conducting a literature review, a researcher forms a hypothesis stating a potential relationship between 2 or more variables:

The number of friendships at the work & the level of job satisfaction

e.g. more friendships at the workplace increases job satisfaction

Variables must be clearly defined so that they can be measured

Finally data is collected and the hypotheses tested (deductive)

28

A social scientist is like an explorer

29

29

Steps of the scientific Method

Starting from 1 to 7 = Deductive research

Starting from 5 (4) to 1 = Inductive research

30

30

1. Identify a problem or ask a question

2. Conduct a literature review

3. Form a hypothesis: give operational definitions to variables

4. Choose a research design or method

5. Collect data

6. Analyze data

7.Disseminate findings

1. Ethnographic methods

31

One way to collect data is through ethnography, a method based on studying people in their own environment in order to understand the meanings they attribute to their activities

It involves:

Active participation in and observation of a naturally occurring setting and a written account (field notes) of what goes on there.

In participant observation the research observes and becomes a member in the social setting

Anthropology uses this method often

31

Ethnography:

32

Snow white joined the 7 dwarfs in their private homes, here she could observe their social practices

32

Interviews

33

Involves direct, face-to-face contact with respondents.

The researcher identifies the target population that she wishes to study and then selects a sample of people to be interviewed from that population

close-ended questions:

E.g. Are you for or against the legislation of abortus? (yes-no)

open-ended question:

What is your opinion about legalizing abortus? please elaborate

What do you think of married couples cheating on each other?

33

Surveys

34

Surveys are questionnaires that are administrated to a sample of respondents selected from a target group population

Tend to look at Large-scale social patterns and employs statistics methods of analysis

http://www.censo2010.aw/

34

Experimental methods

35

Experiments are formal test of whether an independent variable causes the dependent variable that are performed in a controlled setting where all aspects of the situation can be controlled.

Comparison between experimental group vs. control group (sample without intervention)

Experiments in social science are very difficult to conduct because of ethical questions:

Twins separated at birth, one grows-up in a nice family, one in a dysfunctional family?

35

Pill to make you dance at a party when you dont like dancing

36

Control: she takes a placebo pill

Experiment: she takes the to be tested pill

36

Issues in Social science research

37

Social scientists/researches should be Value-free

Code of ethics to avoid bias, protect respondents from harms, privacy issues and unethical behavior in the name of science etc.

On the wikispace you can find examples of different code of ethics for social sciences

37

E.g. Unethical research

38

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/02/health/research/02infect.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper

Article trackback:

38

39

Awakening the sociological imagination:

Studying = feeling like a space traveler, flying above earth, fascinated by its organizing ecology & exploring its encoded meanings

N.D.L.

39

40

Social Scientists

40