Wright Mills
Which sociologist wrote the sociological imagination
What are 3 major theoretical perspectives?
Functionalist Persp.
Conflict Persp.
Interactionist Perp.
What is Sociological Theory?
A set of statements that seeks to explain problems actions or behaviors.
Division of labor
the practice of dividing up the production process into a series of tasks & allocating each tasks to workers who specialize in that assigned task.
Auguste Comte (1798-1857)
He coined the term "Sociology". Believed that the idea of valid knowledge about the world derived from only using the scientific method.
Herbert Spencer (1820-1903)
Studied "Evolutionary" change in society.
Emile Durkheim (1858-1917)
Behavior must be understood within larger social context. Concluded that religion reinforces a groups solidarity. meaning the closer u R to religion the less ppl commit suicides
Mechanical Solidarity
Collective consciousness that emphasizes a groups solidarity implying virtually everyone does essentially the same things/tasks
Organic Solidarity
Collective consciousness resting on the need a society's members have for one another.
Book def. Solidarity comes from differences; that is, ppl need the contributions of an increasing # of ppl in order to function & even to survive
Max Weber (1864-1920)
Weber & Social Class
To comprehend behavior, must be learn subjective meaning; ppl attach to actions.
Social Class composed of those who hold similar life chances based on: Class, Status Group, Power
Class
similar level of wealth or income
Status Group
with the same prestige & lifestyle.
Status gained through membership in a desired group
Power
the ability to exercise one's will over another.
Being part of influential group
5 Basic Characteristics of Bureaucracy by Weber
1. Division of Labor
2. Hierarchy of Authority
3. Written Rules & Regulations
4. Impersonality (equal; uncaring)
5. Employment based on Technical qualifications
Karl Marx (1818-1883)
Society divided between 2 classes that clash in the pursuit of their own interests.
1. Class Consciousness
2. False Consciousness
Class Consciousness
a subjective awareness of common vested interest & the need for collective political action to bring about social change.
ex. All workers R being exploited by the Bourgeoisie
False Consciousness
the attitude held by workers that does not accurately reflect its objective position.
ex. I am being exploited by my boss
W.E. B. DuBois
Conducted research that he hoped would assist in the struggle for racially egalitarian (a belief in human equality) society
First A.A with a ph.D in Sociology
* double consciousness
*color line
Double Consciousness W.E. B.
division of an individuals identity into two or more social realities
Color Line W.E.B.
a barrier supported by customs & laws separating non-whites from whites, especially with regard to their roles in the division of labor
Robert Merton (1910-2003)
Combined theory & research he developed explanations of deviant behaviors
Macrosociology & Microsociology
Macrosociology
Large-scale phenomena or entire civilizations
Microsociology
Small groups, often through experimental means
Talcott Parsons (1902-1979)
viewed society as a vast network of connected parts,each of which helps maintain the system as a whole
Functionalist Perspective
emphasizes the way parts of a society are structured to maintain it's stability
Conflict Perspective
Assumes social behavior is best understood in terms of conflict tension b/w competing groups
Interactionists Perspective
Generalizes about every day forms of social interactions to explain society as a whole