Society: The Basics PDF

Society: The Basics Seventh Canadian Edition Chapter 1 Sociology: Perspective, Theory, and Method Copyright © 2020 Pearson Canada, Inc....

Society: The Basics Seventh Canadian Edition Chapter 1 Sociology: Perspective, Theory, and Method Copyright © 2020 Pearson Canada, Inc. 1-1 The Sociological Perspective (1 of 3) Sociology is the systematic study of human society; its point of view is: Seeing the general in the particular – Sociologists identify general patterns in the behaviour of particular people. – Society acts differently on various age, sex, income, ethnicity, etc. categories of people. – General categories shape our experiences. Copyright © 2020 Pearson Canada, Inc. 1-2 The Sociological Perspective (2 of 3) Seeing the strange in the familiar – Giving up the idea that human behaviour is simply a matter of what people decide to do. – Understanding that society shapes our decisions. Copyright © 2020 Pearson Canada, Inc. 1-3 The Sociological Perspective (3 of 3) Seeing individuality in social context – Emile Durkheim’s research on suicide showed that society affects even our most personal choices. – More likely to commit suicide: males, Protestants, the wealthy, and the unmarried. – Less likely to commit suicide: females, Jews and Catholics, the poor, and the married. Durkheim’s analysis still holds true a century later Recent statistics show that ratio is still 3:1 Copyright © 2020 Pearson Canada, Inc. 1-4 Seeing Sociologically: Marginality and Crisis 1. For some categories of people, being an outsider—not part of the dominant category—is an everyday experience 2. Periods of rapid change or crisis make people feel a little off balance Copyright © 2020 Pearson Canada, Inc. 1-5 Importance of Global Perspective 1. Where we live shapes our lives 2. Societies throughout the world are increasingly interconnected through technology and economics 3. Many problems that we face in Canada are more serious elsewhere 4. Thinking globally is a good way to learn more about ourselves Copyright © 2020 Pearson Canada, Inc. 1-6 Benefits of the Sociological Perspective 1. Helps us assess the truth of “common sense” 2. Helps us see the opportunities and constraints in our lives 3. Empowers us to be active participants in our society 4. Helps us live in a diverse world 5. Jobs: sociologists work as researchers for government agencies or private foundations and businesses Copyright © 2020 Pearson Canada, Inc. 1-7 The Origins of Sociology Social Change – Industrial technology, growth of cities, and new ideas about democracy and political rights promote a new awareness of society Science – Comte’s Stages: Theological, Metaphysical, & Scientific – Positivism – a way of understanding based on science Copyright © 2020 Pearson Canada, Inc. 1-8 Sociological Theory Theory: a statement of how and why facts are related Theoretical approach: a basic image of society that guides thinking and research – Structural-functional – Social-conflict – Symbolic-interaction Copyright © 2020 Pearson Canada, Inc. 1-9 Structural-Functional Approach Views society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stability Social structure: refers to any relatively stable pattern of social behaviour Social function: refers to the consequences of a social pattern for the operation of society as a whole – manifest function is intended; latent function is unintended; and dysfunction is disruptive. Copyright © 2020 Pearson Canada, Inc. 1 - 10 Social-Conflict Approach Views society as an arena of inequality that generates conflict and change Society is structured in ways to benefit a few at the expense of the majority Factors such as ethnicity, race, sex, class, and age are linked to social inequality Copyright © 2020 Pearson Canada, Inc. 1 - 11 Gender-conflict theory (Feminist theory) The study of society that focuses on inequality and conflict between women and men. The gender-conflict approach is closely linked to feminism, support of social equality for women and men, in opposition to patriarchy and sexism Use of feminist theory in sociology makes us aware of the importance of women to the development of sociology (i.e. Harriett Martineau) Copyright © 2020 Pearson Canada, Inc. 1 - 12 Race-Conflict Theory The study of society that focuses on inequality and conflict between people of different racial and ethnic categories. Race-conflict theory points out the contributions to the development of sociology made by racial minorities (Cecil Foster, W.E.B. DuBois, Daniel G Hill) Copyright © 2020 Pearson Canada, Inc. 1 - 13 Symbolic-Interaction Approach Structural-functional and social-conflict approaches are macro-level: focus on society as a whole. The micro-level is a close-up focus on social interaction in specific situations The symbolic-interaction approach sees society as the product of the everyday interactions of individuals Copyright © 2020 Pearson Canada, Inc. 1 - 14 Critical Review Structural-functional – Ignores inequalities of social class, race, and gender; focuses on stability at the expense of conflict Social-conflict – Ignores how shared values and mutual interdependence unify society – If it pursues political goals, it cannot be scientific Symbolic-interaction – Ignores larger social structures, effects of culture, factors such as class, gender, ethnicity, and race Copyright © 2020 Pearson Canada, Inc. 1 - 15 Applying Theory: Major Theoretcial Approaches (1 of 2) Major theoretical approaches Blank Blank Blank Social-Conflict, Gender- Structural- Conflict, and Race- Symbolic-Interaction Blank Functional Approach Conflict Approaches Approach What is the level Macro-level Macro-level Micro-level of analysis? What image of Society is a system of Society is a system of Society is an ongoing society does the interrelated parts that social inequalities based process. approach have? is relatively stable. on class (Marx), gender People interact in Each part works to (gender-conflict theory and countless settings using keep society operating feminism), and race (race- symbolic in an orderly way. conflict theory). communications. Members generally Society operates to benefit The reality people agree about what is some categories of people experience is variable morally right and and harm others. and changing. morally wrong. Social inequality causes conflict that leads to social change. Copyright © 2020 Pearson Canada, Inc. 1 - 16 Applying Theory: Major Theoretcial Approaches (2 of 2) Major theoretical approaches Blank Blank Blank What core How is society held How does society divide a How do people questions does together? population? experience society? the approach ask? What are the major How do advantaged How do people shape parts of society? people protect their the reality they How are these parts privileges? experience? linked? How do disadvantaged How do behaviour and What does each part people challenge the meaning change from do to help society system seeking change? person to person and work? from one situation to another? Copyright © 2020 Pearson Canada, Inc. 1 - 17 Three Ways to Do Sociology Positivist sociology – The study of society is based on scientific observation of social behaviour. – Discovery of facts through scientific principles guided by logic and direct, systematic observation. Interpretive sociology – The study of society that focuses on the meanings people attach to their social world. – Guiding principle is Verstehen, understanding. Critical sociology – The study of society that focuses on the need for change. – An activist approach to improve society. Copyright © 2020 Pearson Canada, Inc. 1 - 18 Positivist Sociology (1 of 2) The study of society based on scientific observation of social behaviour. Science: a logical system that bases knowledge on direct, systematic observation Empirical evidence: information we can verify with our senses Concept: a mental construct that represents some part of the world in a simplified form Copyright © 2020 Pearson Canada, Inc. 1 - 19 Positivist Sociology (2 of 2) Variable: a concept whose values change from case to case Measurement: a procedure for determining the value of a variable in a specific case Operationalize a variable: specifying exactly what is to be measured before assigning a value to a variable Copyright © 2020 Pearson Canada, Inc. 1 - 20 Reliability and Validity Sociologists use descriptive statistics to state the “average” for a large population. Reliability – consistency in measurement – Does an instrument provide for a consistent measure of the subject matter? Validity – precision in measuring exactly what one intends to measure – Does an instrument actually measure what it sets out to measure? Copyright © 2020 Pearson Canada, Inc. 1 - 21 Correlation and Cause (1 of 2) Correlation – A relationship by which two or more variables change together Spurious correlation: an apparent but false relationship between two (or more) variables that is caused by some other variable Cause and effect: a relationship in which change in one variable causes change in another Copyright © 2020 Pearson Canada, Inc. 1 - 22 Correlation and Cause (2 of 2) Types of variables – Independent: the variable that causes the change – Dependent: the variable that changes (its value depends upon the independent variable) Copyright © 2020 Pearson Canada, Inc. 1 - 23 The Ideal of Objectivity Objectivity: personal neutrality in conducting research Max Weber noted that people usually choose value- relevant research topics—topics they care about But once their work is under way, researchers should be value-free, striving to find the truth as it is rather than as they think it should be Copyright © 2020 Pearson Canada, Inc. 1 - 24 Gender and Research Androcentricity and Gynocentricity: Approaching the topic from a male-only or female-only perspective Overgeneralizing: Using data collected from one sex and applying the findings to both sexes Gender blindness: The failure to consider the impact of gender at all Double standards: Using different standards to judge males and females Interference: A subject under study reacts to the sex of the researcher Copyright © 2020 Pearson Canada, Inc. 1 - 25 Research Ethics Strive to be technically competent and fair-minded Disclose findings in full without omitting significant data and be willing to share data Protect the safety, rights, and privacy of subjects Obtain informed consent: subjects are aware of risks and responsibilities and agree to take part before the work begins Disclose all sources of funding and avoid conflicts of interest Demonstrate cultural sensitivity Copyright © 2020 Pearson Canada, Inc. 1 - 26 Research Methods Research method: systematic plan for doing research Experiment: investigating cause and effect under highly controlled conditions Participant observation: systematically observing people while joining in their routine activities Using existing sources: re-analyzing data collected by others Copyright © 2020 Pearson Canada, Inc. 1 - 27 Survey Research Terms Survey: subjects respond to a series of statements in a questionnaire or interview Population: people who are the focus of the research Sample: part of the population that represents the whole Questionnaire: A series of written statements or questions Interview: personally asked questions Copyright © 2020 Pearson Canada, Inc. 1 - 28 10 Steps in Sociological Research (1 of 2) 1. Select and define topic 2. Review the literature 3. Develop key questions to ask 4. Assess requirements for study 5. Consider ethical issues Copyright © 2020 Pearson Canada, Inc. 1 - 29 10 Steps in Sociological Research (2 of 2) 6. Select a research methodology 7. Collect the data 8. Interpret the findings 9. State conclusions 10. Publish the findings Copyright © 2020 Pearson Canada, Inc. 1 - 30