2. Outline
What is a theory?
Sociology’s Roots
Classical Soc. Theory (Marx, Weber, Durkheim,
Freud)
Modern Schools of Thought
New Theoretical Approaches
3. Sociological Theories
Sociological Theories– abstract propositions that both
explain the social world and make predictions about
future events
Ex. Mental illness-diff. theory means diff. treatment
14 century London-Caused by moral failing/demon
possession or individual weakness---Taken to Bethlem
Colonial U.S.-Caused by astrological position of moon at time
of birth (lunatic)---bleeding or long-term vomiting
1930s U.S.-Located in a particular portion of brain---could be
cured by lobotomy (removal of part of the brain)
Present day U.S.-caused by problems of brain chemistry
*Theories change over time because society itself
changes, and theories try to explain society
4. Eurocentrism & Sociology
Eurocentric-tendency to favor
European or Western history, culture,
and values over other cultures
Both the social world and social theory are
eurocentric (privilege West)
Ibn Khaldun-14th century- came up with concept
of assabiyah (social cohesion) before Durkheim
by 500 years
5. Sociology’s Roots
Auguste Comte (1798-1857) – French scientist
Father of Sociology; coined “sociology”
Grew up in aftermath of French Revolution/political instability
Believed science could be used to run society efficiently
Positivism – argues sense perceptions are the only
valid source of knowledge
Seeks to ID laws that describe the behavior of a particular reality
Aligned “positive” knowledge with scientific factual knowledge
Scientific method-emphasizes collecting concrete data
through observation and experiment
Comte imagined applying scientific method to social affairs
6. Sociology’s Roots
“Mrs.” Harriet Martineau (1802-76)– Support
of unions, women’s rights, abolitionist
Traveled to the U.S.-judge democracy
Translated Comte’s Introduction to Positive Philosophy
into English
Herbert Spencer (1820-1903) – First great
English-speaking sociologist
*Societies, like biological organisms, evolve through
time by adapting to changing conditions – Social
Darwinism
Coined phrase, “survival of the fittest”
7. Classical Sociological Theory
Classical period began in 1800s
Beginning as substantive discipline
Theoretical foundations for all work that followed
Industrial Revolution influenced development
Emile Durkheim (1858-1917) – French –
established sociology as important science –
used scientific method in Suicide
Hoped science could stabilize France in
aftermath of defeat in Franco-Prussian War
8. Classical Sociological Theory
Suicide-theorized was caused by anomie-
sense of disconnection brought about by
changing conditions of modern life
Solidarity-unity within a particular society
Mechanical solidarity – describes types of
social bonds of agrarian society – shared
traditions & beliefs lead to social cohesion
Organic solidarity – describes social bonds
modern industrialized society-interdependence,
tasks performed and individual rights
9. Classical Sociological Theory
Karl Marx- (1818-1883) German social philosopher,
economist and political activist
Collaborated with Friedrich Engels
*Believed that conflict between social groups is
central to the workings of society and the engine of
social change
Social Inequality – uneven & unfair distribution of
resources. Result of capitalism –class struggle b/w
“haves” and “have-nots”
Means of Production-anything that can create
wealth: money, property, factories, etc…
10. Classical Sociological Theory
Proletariat – workers, no means of production
Tended to be compliant with existing social order
Bourgeoisie-owners of “means of production”
Alienation –sense of dissatisfaction the modern
worker feels as a result of producing goods that
are owned and controlled by someone else
Proletariat suffered b/c they were unable to directly
benefit from the fruits of their own labor
Socialism-political system based on state
control of economy to reduce social inequality
11. Classical Sociological Theory
Max Weber – German sociologist
Protestant ethic
Rationalization-application of economic logic to
all spheres of human activity in order to
increase efficiency-
Studied Bureaucracies-institutions
characterized by hierarchal authority and fixed
procedures. Investigated how economics were
related to all human activity (education).
12. Classical Sociological Theory
Weber postulated that people were trapped in:
Iron cage-technical conditions of machine
production control our lives through rigid rules
and rationalization/bureaucratic rules
Modern life characterized by disenchantment and
dehumanization
Verstehen – empathetic understanding
Describes how soc. scientist should approach
study of human action
Researchers should avoid bias/opinions in work
13. Classical Sociological Theory
Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) Austrian psychiatrist
Psychoanalysis-The subconscious and
unconscious responsible for most of our drives
and impulses-learned thru dream interpretation
*Concerned with the large-scale social changes of
the Industrial Revolution & effect on individual
Repression-taboo desires return via dreams, slips of the
tongue, neuroses, etc…
Sublimation-desires channeled into healthy and
acceptable expressions/hobbies
14. Modern Schools of Thought
Structural Functionalism – society is unified
whole that functions because of the
contributions of its separate structures
Comte, Spencer, Durkheim wanted to study
order because social change had previously
happened much more slowly
Society as sui generis
Structures – social institutions relatively stable
over time, meets needs of society (family, etc.)
15. Modern Schools of Thought
Dysfunction – disturbance to some aspect of
social system-must lead to institutional change
Families not disciplining kids?-falls on schools, courts…
Structural Functionalism Tenets
1. Society is stable system of interrelated parts
2. Each structure has a function that contributes
to the continued stability of the whole
Critiques-static model of society/no interest in
individual, social inequality functional?
16. Modern Schools of Thought
Conflict Theory – Marx – struggle over
resources & power dominates society. Ideology
of society is influenced by wealthy & powerful
Increasing economic power of industrial capitalism
primary tool for oppression of the poor
“From each according to his ability, to each according to
his need”-Karl Marx
False consciousness-denial of truth by the
oppressed-fail to recognize interests of ruling
class in their ideology-allowed inequalities in
class structure to continue
17. Modern Schools of Thought
To change: we need Class Consciousness or
Revolutionary Consciousness – challenge those in
power and inequality in society
Dialectical Model – Marx’s model of historical change
Thesis (belief) – Antithesis (opposite belief) and
Synthesis (compromise of both)
Praxis – practical action – act on what you believe
Critical Theory – media or mass communications and
popular culture important part of capitalism
Critique-can ignore stable parts of society
18. Modern Schools of Thought
Symbolic Interactionism - interaction and
meaning central to society –meanings in life are
created through interaction in society- not inherent
1. We act towards things on basis of their
meanings
2. Meanings are not inherent/created through
interaction
3. Meanings can change or be modified through
interaction
19. Modern Schools of Thought
George Herbert Mead & the Chicago School
Did actual field research about social interaction
Related to pragmatism-organisms make
practical adaptations to their environments
Believed language (verbal & non-verbal) is
crucial to the development of self and society
Erving Goffman – Dramaturgy – uses idea of
theatre to explain how we present ourselves
Frontstage and Backstage
20. New Theoretical Approaches
Feminist Theory – looks at how gender &
power are linked in our society – patriarchal
Queer Theory – 80’s & 90’s – sexual
orientation categories are just social constructs-
none deviant or normal
Postmodernism – no constants in society – all
areas in flux, diverse – Hip Hop-old with the new
Wal-Mart Assignment – page 54 & 55