Introduction to Sociology: Introduction to Sociology
PowerPoint Presentation: Blake Welbon Isaac Sigmon
What is Sociology?: What is Sociology?
Focuses of Sociology : Focuses of Sociology Culture - The sum beliefs, values, norms, and material possessions of a people’s way of life Stratification – how cultures classify people Norms – A culture’s patterns/expectations of behavior Deviance – recognized violations of a culture’s norms
Methods of research: Methods of research Conducting clinical trials closely examining personal behavior Collecting census results and similar surveys Comparing results with previously collected data, including a culture’s popular beliefs.
Alfred Kinsey: Alfred Kinsey Controversial mid 20 th century sociologist/biologist Sexual Behavior in the Human Male , 1948 Sexual Behavior in the Human Male , 1953
3 Approaches to sociology: 3 Approaches to sociology Structural Functional Approach - Large Scale, focuses on benefits Social Conflict Approach - Large Scale, focuses on inequality Symbolic interaction approach - Small scale, focuses on personal-level interaction
Structural-Functional Approach: Structural-Functional Approach Macro-level Focuses on institutions of society (stratification, norms, deviance) help society to function Auguste Comte, Herbert Spencer were early proponents
Social-Conflict Approach: Social-Conflict Approach Macro level Focuses on inequality and how societal institutions contribute and cause it Karl Marx, noted German author and founder of socialism, followed this approach
Symbolic-Interaction Approach: Symbolic-Interaction Approach Micro Level Focuses on how people interact with their surrounding based on how they symbolize it Early components include Max Weber and George Herbert Mead