Introduction to Sociology

What is Sociology?

• The study of human groups and their interactions
• Includes the complex interconnections between individuals and society
• Focuses on all social interactions and behaviors, social institutions, and social processes

Sociological Perspective

• A lens that views society based on the dynamic relationships between individuals and the larger society

The Sociological Imagination

• Coined by C. Wright Mills
• The ability to perceive how dynamic social forces influence individual lives
• Connects the social context of personal and public events

Personal Troubles vs. Social Issues

• Personal Troubles: Challenges requiring individual solutions
• Social Issues: Challenges caused by larger social factors that require collective solutions

Cheerful Robots

• People who are unable or unwilling to see the social world as it truly exists
• Mills suggested people unquestioningly accept the “American Dream”
• This increases materialism

Seeing the General in the Particular

• Recognize larger general features involved in seemingly unique events
• For example, homelessness

Seeing the Strange in the Familiar

• Understand how odd and complex some of our social conventions are
• This process allows us to understand how developments in society shape our personal individual choices

Agency vs. Structure

• Agency: The ability of individuals to act independently and make their own choices
• Structure: Relatively stable social arrangements that influence the choices and opportunities available to individuals

5 Key Social Factors

• Minority Status: Ethnic minority, physical or mental disabilities, sexual minority
• Gender: The role of patriarchy whereby men control or have greater access to social, political, and economic resources
• Socioeconomic Status (SES): Income level, education level, occupation, and area of residence
• Family Structure: Higher income is associated with two-parent families, which influences well-being
• Urban vs. Rural: Access/exposure to healthcare, entertainment, cultural events and diversity

Ascribed Status

• Attributes assigned at birth that come with advantages and disadvantages
• Example: Family income level

Achieved Status

• Attributes developed throughout life as a result of effort and skill
• Example: Grades on this course

Origins of Sociology

• Inspired by the Scientific, Political, and Industrial Revolutions of the 16th to 19th centuries

Scientific Revolution

• Emphasized reason, experience, and observation, challenging religious explanations
• Auguste Comte is considered the “father” of sociology
• Comte proposed that human thinking changes over time
• He outlined the Law of Three Stages: Theological, Metaphysical, and Positive

Law of Three Stages

• Theological Stage: Human ancestors to the Middle Ages, religious outlook
• Metaphysical Stage: Renaissance to the Enlightenment, period of questioning and challenging the Church
• Positive Stage: From the Enlightenment onwards, scientific explanations and observation

Positivism

• Theoretical approach that considers all understanding and knowledge to be based on scientific inquiry

Limitations of Comte's Law of Three Stages

• Overly simplistic, competing views exist simultaneously
• Does not account for subjective experience

Political Revolutions

• Inspired new ways of seeing society
• Increased focus on individual rights, democratic principles, and equality of opportunity

American & French Revolutions

• Led to large-scale social change

Stages of Early Economies and Societies

• Hunting and Gathering: Most of modern human history, small mobile groups lightly exploit food resources
• Horticulturalism: Domestication of animals and plants, production of surplus
• Pastoralism: Tending herds of animals

Industrial Revolution

• Began in Great Britain from 1750 to 1850
• Rapid technological, economic, and social changes
• Development of the factory system

Industrialization

• Shift from dependence on agriculture and handmade products to manufacturing industries

Urbanization

• Population shift from rural regions to growing cities

Social Problems Created By the Industrial Revolution

• Low wages, poverty, child labor
• Hazardous working and living conditions, poor sanitation, and disease

Global Perspective

• Sociologists examine the gross inequalities stemming from the dominance of capitalism in the global economy
• Divides between the Global North and Global South: Developed countries own 80% of global resources, exploitation of labor in developing nations

Treadmill of Production

• Approach that asserts that capitalism’s endless growth and needs are at odds with protecting people and the environment

Alternatives to Capitalism

• Triple Bottom Line Model: Profit, people, and the planet
• Focuses on profits, social responsibility, and environmental responsibility

Animals and Human Societies

• Critical Animal Studies challenge existing systems of animal exploitation and oppression
• Deconstructs the animal/human binary
• Rejects speciesism and anthropocentrism

Speciesism

• The practice of privileging humans over other animals

Anthropocentrism

• The view that human beings are separate from, and above, the rest of nature