Intro to Sociology

Social Structure
And
Social Interaction
HOOK VIDEO
What is Sociology?
Systematic, scientific study of human
society
Relies on scientific evidence—helps
straighten out myths vs. realities
We learn more about ourselves by studying
others  BUT learn more from social
marginality – being excluded from main-
stream society (“outsiders”); more aware of a
societal group because you’re on the outside
Social Class: A system of ranking people into abstract categories of social positions
 Scientific Method

Observations
Hypothesis
Testing
Theory
Social Forces

Sociology studies “from the

outside” versus “from the inside”
(Psych.) to explain social forces – forces
that arise from society in which we are a part
we see it through behavior

Example: People in wide-open areas more

likely to commit suicide. Why?
Sociological Imagination

The ability to see the relationship between

events in our personal lives and events
in society

What is gained by using it?

Understand effects of events
Awareness permits to learn and get a fuller
understanding of events
Questions common interpretations of human social
behavior.
Helps us to make our own decisions rather than
conform
Sociological Imagination:
Video Explanation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBbQ436XDCg
Social Integration
The degree to which people are tied to a social
group – social integration
Therefore, inadequate levels of integration =
high suicide rate (different in other cultures,
though)

We are each other’s

sociological backbone!
History of Sociology
19th century, because of Industrial Revolution
– brought new ways of living together

Then French Revolution – people questioning

legitimacy of monarchies; wanted more
freedoms

Grew because of social unrest of

this time
 AUGUSTE
COMTE
• Father of Sociology
• Positivism: belief
knowledge is from
scientific
observation
• Social statics:
study of social
stability and order
• Social dynamics
study of social
Video
change
Herbert Spencer
Thought society can
be compared to a living
organism
Each part of animal
has own function, but
all parts are
interdependent
Also says if society is
left alone, it fixes its
own problems
KARL
MARX
•Says main
feature of
sociology is class
conflict –
struggle between
capitalists and
proletariats
•Did not believe
in natural
selection – urged
people to change
society, not let it Video
evolve
Emile Durkheim
Applied scientific method to Sociology
Really studied suicide and the “social
facts”
Mechanical solidarity: social
dependency based on widespread
consensus of values and
beliefsconformity and dependence
on tradition/family
Organic solidarity: social
dependency based on high degree of
specialization in roles
Video: from 3:35
 MAX
WEBER
•Thought one must
go beyond
observations & find
out how people feel
about their own
behavior (put
yourself in their
shoes)  Verstehen
Video
The Role of Theoretical Perspectives
Perception is the way the brain interprets an
image or event.

Have you ever shared a different

perception of an event from a friend?
Youthful Face vs. Old Face
Face vs. Vase
Fundamentals
Perspective is a particular point of view.
We all see what is happening around us
through our own perspectives
Sociology has its own perspective – Sociological
Perspective (a view that looks at behavior of
groups not individuals)
Functionalist perspective – focuses
on social order; each part of society
performs as the whole, interdependently
If something happens to this social order, a social
consensus must be made for this new change
Functions of Behavior
Manifest –
intended & obvious
behaviors
Latent –
unintended &
unrecognized
behaviors
The Good and the Bad
Society does change, but only for a reason 
conflicts
When status quo is criticized, everyone starts to
focus on differences & emphasizes their group is
better than others – conflict perspective
Society is always changing because of this
competition  POWER explains the change
Symbolic interactionism: interactions among
people based on mutually understood symbols (an
item with an agreed-upon meaning attached to it)
Conflicts in
Society
Symbols are EVERYWHERE
 Example of Good and Bad: SPORTS
BENEFICIAL
Conducive to success in
other areas of life
Develops skill, ability, self-
discipline, mental
alertness, physical fitness
Enhances health &
happiness
Contributes to social order
& stability through
unification
HARMFUL
Sports act as an opiate,
numbing the masses sense
of dissatisfaction
w/capitalist society
Reinforces social, gender, &
racial inequalities
Big business – elitist
system
“Man’s world” – glorifies
masculinity
 CONFLICT AND INTERACTIONIST
PERSPECTIVES ON SPORTS
Conflict Perspective: Sports help social inequality in
society, but can provide a distraction from people’s
unhappiness. Some also believe that certain sports
legitimate violence and make it more acceptable in
society.

Interactionist Perspective: Sports influence society

through its symbols, norms, and values. For example, it
helps shape how people live by providing role models in
the form of athletes. Coach-player relationships and
being part of a sports team also affect how people live.
ROLE STRAIN AND ROLE CONFLICT
Role Strain: stress or strain of an individual
when incompatible behavior, expectations, or
obligations are associated with a single social role.
Ex: Being a student and an employee

Role Conflict: a situation in which a person is

expected to play two incompatible roles
Ex: A boss who is forced to fire an employee,
who is also a friend
Wrap-Up
Sociology can help enrich our lives 
intellectual exercise, general guide, pursue
careers, & just obtain a better understanding
of the world through our own
interpretations
The world around us affects our lives more
than what the world does to us.