Introduction to Social Sciences Theories

Introduction to Social Sciences Theories

• Key questions posed: Why is there poverty? Is there anything good about poverty? How do you view alcoholism and drug addiction?
• The objectives of the study include analyzing basic concepts and principles of major social science theories, appreciating their importance in daily life, and applying them to socio-cultural, economic, and political contexts.
• Perspective is a broad viewpoint or lens that allows sociologists to use a wide array of tools to study society, leading to hypotheses and theories.

Approaches to Studying Society

• Macro approach: This focuses on large-scale structures and processes outside individual interactions. It considers institutions, class structures, gender relations, and entire populations.
  • Example: Examining why women are less likely than men to reach positions of power.
• Micro approach: This focuses on intimate, face-to-face interactions between individuals such as conversational partners, family members, coworkers, or friends.
  • Example: Studying interactions between new parents and those without children.

Major Sociological Perspectives

• Structural-functionalism: This perspective views society as a complex system where parts work together for unity and stability.
  • Social structures perform specific functions to maintain societal operation.
  • Society is like a human body, with each structure performing a specific function for the whole.
  • Social institutions work together to maintain a stable society.
  • Key figures: Talcott Parsons, Max Weber, Emile Durkheim, and Robert Merton.
  • Key elements
    • Manifest functions: recognized and intended consequences of social patterns
    • Latent functions: unrecognized and unintended consequences of social patterns
    • Social dysfunction: patterns that disrupt the operation of society
  • Strengths: Explains how different social system parts are interrelated and function to benefit society; emphasizes the importance of shared culture for social order; provides a holistic view of society.
  • Weaknesses: Overly optimistic; may ignore conflicts & exploitation; may overlook dysfunctions contradicting its premise.
    • Comte's Law of Three Stages: knowledge moves through theological, metaphysical, and scientific/positive stages.
    • Durkheim's concept of social facts: laws, morals, values, beliefs, customs, fashion, and rituals that shape social life.
    • Division of labor in society leads to organic solidarity (social cohesion).
    • Durkheim's typology of suicide: anomic, altruistic, egoistic, fatalistic.
    • Parsons' AGIL model (Adaptation, Goal attainment, Integration, Latency) addresses imperatives for societal survival.
• Marxism: (Additional perspective, implied from the listed questions.) This perspective views society as driven by class conflict between those who own the means of production and those who labor.

This quiz explores key social science theories and their application to real-world issues such as poverty, addiction, and power dynamics. It highlights the macro and micro approaches used by sociologists to analyze societal structures and interactions. Understanding these concepts is essential for appreciating their relevance in daily life.