Introduction to Sociology

Introduction to Sociology

• Sociology is the study of human social life, groups, and societies.
• It analyzes how social forces shape individuals and the social world.
• Sociology aims to understand social change and social problems.

What is Sociology?

• Sociology uses systematic methods to investigate and analyze social phenomena.
• It's a scientific discipline that examines how society functions and evolves.
• Sociology distinguishes itself from personal opinions and relies on evidence-based research.

Sociology: A New Science for a Changing World

• Sociology emerged as a distinct field in the 19th century.
• Its development was driven by major social transformations like industrialization and urbanization.
• This new approach emphasized observation, analysis, and evidence, differing from previous societal understandings.

Founders of Sociology

• Karl Marx: Examined class conflict and economic structures as societal drivers.
• Émile Durkheim: Focused on social order and functions of social institutions.
• Max Weber: Analyzed the impact of ideas, values, and beliefs on social action.

An American Tradition: Expanding Sociology

• Jane Addams: Studied social reform and the impact of social problems on vulnerable populations.
• W.E.B. Du Bois: Pioneered research on race and inequality in American society, and the effects of social issues on minorities.
• Thorstein Veblen: Focused on consumerism, conspicuous consumption, and social class.

The Ideas of Tomorrow: A Social Science at the Intersections

• Sociology adapts to address contemporary challenges.
• Sociological ideas and methods apply to interdisciplinary fields.
• Sociologists investigate problems in education, economics, and politics.

Research Methods in Sociology

• Confirmation bias: The tendency to favor information confirming existing beliefs.
• Social media and the news: These platforms impact individual perceptions and knowledge.
• Research ethics: Standards for responsible and unbiased research, including informed consent, confidentiality, and data privacy.

Types of Research Methods

• A variety of methods are used to study social phenomena, including observation, interviews, surveys, experiments, and existing data analysis.

Five Common Sociological Methods

• Experiments, surveys, ethnography, comparative-historical analysis, and secondary data analysis are examples.

Choosing a Method

• The chosen research method depends on the research questions and the subject being studied.

Designing a Research Project

• Crucial steps include formulating a research question, developing a hypothesis, selecting a sample, and gathering data.

From Topic to Question

• Narrowing a broad subject into a specific research question is vital.

Variables

• Independent variable: A manipulated factor to analyze its impact on another variable.
• Dependent variable: Measured factors to observe their changes in response to the independent variable.

From Research Question to Hypothesis

• A testable statement predicting the relationship between two or more variables.

Selecting a Sample

• Choosing a representative group from a larger population for study.

Correlation and Causation

• Correlation describes a relationship between variables.
• Causation indicates one variable directly causing changes in another.

Validity and Reliability

• Validity: Accuracy of a measure in representing the concept it aims to measure.
• Reliability: Consistency and stability of a measure across time and situations.

Social Structure and the Individual

• Social structure influences individual behavior and social interactions.
• Social structure involves patterns of relationships between individuals.

Statuses, Roles, Groups, Networks, Institutions

• Statuses: Positions within the social structure.
• Roles: Expected behaviors associated with statuses.
• Groups: Collections of interacting people.
• Networks: Interconnected relationships among individuals.
• Institutions: Established practices fulfilling social needs.

Agents of Socialization

• Socialization agents introduce individuals to societal norms and expectations.

Individual Agency and Social Structure

• Examining the interplay between individual actions and social structures.

Social Class, Inequality, and Poverty

• Social class impacts access to resources and opportunities.
• Inequality and class differences exist across societies.
• The gap between rich and poor widens in many contexts.
• Poverty and homelessness are major challenges globally, severely impacting disadvantaged groups.

Social Class

• Hierarchical divisions based on socioeconomic standing.

The Social Class Structure of the United States

• Understanding the different class levels in U.S. society.

Is Social Class Ascribed or Achieved?

• Examining whether social class is predetermined or earned through individual effort.

Social Mobility

• Movement between different social classes.

Inequality

• Variations and injustices in the distribution of resources and opportunities.

The Growing Gap Between the Poor and the Rich

• The widening difference in wealth and income between rich and poor.

U.S. Inequality in a Global Context

• Comparing U.S. inequality to patterns in other countries.

Poverty and Homelessness

• Poverty: Lack of essential resources for basic living.
• Characteristics of the poor: Features of individuals and families facing poverty (includes working poor and jobless poor).
• Homelessness: Lack of stable housing.
• Affordable housing: Addressing affordability and availability issues to combat homelessness.

Culture

• Culture encompasses shared values, beliefs, norms, and behaviors of a group.

What is Culture?

• Culture encompasses tangible and intangible aspects of a society's collective understanding.

Material Culture vs. Symbolic Culture

• Material culture includes physical objects, technology, and resources.
• Symbolic culture includes ideas, beliefs, values, and norms.

High Culture vs. Popular Culture

• High culture involves fine art and intellectual pursuits.
• Popular culture represents mainstream entertainment and activities.

Culture as Values vs. Culture as a Way of Life

• Culture guides values and behavior.
• Values shape culture, and culture shapes values and beliefs.

Culture is a Cycle

• Culture is dynamic and influenced by internal and external factors.

How Culture is Produced

• Processes involved in cultural development, communication, and dissemination.

Consuming Culture

• How individuals engage with and participate in culture.

Subcultures

• Groups within a larger culture with unique values and behaviors.

How Culture Creates Inequalities

• Cultural norms and perceptions contribute to social inequalities.

How Culture Makes Groups and Boundaries

• How cultural elements establish distinctions and boundaries between groups.

Culture Jam

• Deliberate efforts to challenge and subvert mainstream cultural norms. Culture Jam includes critique, mixing different elements, and proposing solutions.