Assignment 1 Sociology

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THEORETICALPERSPECTIVESINSOCIOLOGY.ppt
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Theoretical Perspectives in Sociology


Characteristics of Sociological Theories

  • Nature v. nurture debate
  • Grand theory v. middle range theory
  • Macro v. micro level theory
  • Social theory v. social reform theory

Functional theory –
Classical/Early vs. Contemporary

  • Structural functionalism
  • Early – studied individuals

and small groups

  • Biology – behavior
  • Herbert Spencer –

Social Darwinism

  • Eugenics


Then Came Charles Darwin
Origin of Species, 1859

Darwinism

  • Evolution
  • Survival of the Fittest
  • Natural Selection

Social Darwinism

  • Applying Darwinian principles of evolution, survival of the fittest, and natural selection to human groups
  • So, what are the implications for human groups – Blacks, Yellows, Whites?

Other Examples of Eugenics

  • Forced Sterilization
  • Euthanasia
  • Genocide (Native Americans)

Contemporary Functional Theory

  • Studied larger groups and societies
  • Likened societies as large organisms
  • Each part had a function
  • Need all parts –

good and bad

Conflict Theory

  • Karl Marx (1818-1883)
  • Frederich Engels (1820-1895)
  • The Communist Manifesto

(1848)

  • Point of society to meet the

basic needs of the people

  • Concerned about the

industrial revolution

Consequences of the
Industrial Revolution

  • Working conditions, effects on the environment, and changes to the family and society going from farming to factory
  • Bourgeoisie v. Proletariat
  • Haves v. Have Nots
  • Struggle for?
  • Resources, power

How Does the Bourgeosie Maintain a Ready Pool of Proletariat?

  • Salaries
  • Benefits
  • “Job Security”
  • Make us believe we don’t have enough knowledge, skill, courage to go out on our own
  • Tax and investment systems
  • Credit and debt systems

To Make Things More Fair

  • Marx outlined 5 societal stages:
  • Slavery
  • Feudalism
  • Capitalism
  • Socialism
  • Communism

Symbolic Interactionism

  • Charles Horton Cooley (1864-1929)
  • Taught at U. of Michigan
  • We learn behavior by interacting with others through the use of symbols
  • This learning process unfolds

during the development of the

“self”

  • Mind, Self & Society

Looking Glass Self

  • 1) We picture our appearance of ourselves, traits and personalities.
  • 2) We then use the reactions of others to interpret how others visualize us.
  • 3) We develop our own self-concept based on our interpretations. Our self-concept can be enhanced or diminished by our conclusions.

Instrumental in Developing the Self

  • Role Taking – taking the role of the other
  • How do we do that?
  • Imitation

Significant & Generalized Others

  • Significant Others –

those that are most important to us

  • Generalized Others –

those that are important, but not as important as significant others

“I” and “Me” Stages –
Setting the Foundation of the Self

  • “I” Stage – birth-3 yrs., no distinguishing of self
  • “Me” Stage – 3-10 yrs., begin to develop a sense of self

- Preparatory stage – 3-5 yrs., rudimentary imitation

- Play stage – 5-8 yrs., normative based

- Game stage – 8-10 yrs., norms and roles

Summary

  • Functional Theory

- Classical/Early Functional Theory

- Contemporary Functional Theory

  • Conflict Theory
  • Symbolic Interactionism
  • Describe each theory, Major theorists
  • Nature/Nurture, Grand/Middle Range, Macro/Micro, Social Theory/Social Reform Theory