Chapter 1
What is Sociology?
Study Outline
Developing a Sociological Perspective
- Sociology is the systematic study of human societies with special emphasis on modern, industrialized systems. The subject arose as an attempt to understand the far-reaching changes in human societies over the past two to three centuries.
- Major social changes have impacted the most intimate and personal characteristics of people's lives. The development of romantic love as a basis for marriage is an example.
- The practice of sociology involves the ability to think imaginatively and to detach oneself from preconceived ideas about social relationships.
The Development of Sociological Thinking
- Sociology comprises a diversity of theoretical approaches. Because theoretical disputes are difficult to resolve even in the natural sciences, in sociology we face special difficulties because of the complex problems involved in studying our own behavior.
- Important early sociological theorists include Auguste Comte (1798-1857), Émile Durkheim (1858-1917), Karl Marx (1818-1883), and Max Weber (1864-1920). Many of their ideas remain important in sociology today.
- The main theoretical approaches in sociology are symbolic interactionism, functionalism, Marxism, feminism, rational choice approach, and postmodernism. To some extent, these approaches complement each other. However, there are also major contrasts among them.
Is Sociology a Science?
- The study of face-to-face interaction is usually called microsociology—in contrast to macrosociology, which studies larger groups, institutions, and social systems. Micro and macro analyses are very closely related; each complements the other.
How Can Sociology Help Us?
- Sociology is a science in that it involves systematic methods of investigation and the evaluation of theories in light of evidence and logical argument. But it cannot be modeled on the natural sciences, because studying human behavior is fundamentally different from studying the world of nature.
- Sociology has important practical implications for contributing to social criticism and social reform. First, the improved understanding of a given set of social circumstances offers a better chance of controlling them. Second, increased cultural sensitivities allow policies to be based on an awareness of divergent cultural values. Third, investigation of the consequences (intended and unintended) of particular policy programs can promote effective program change. Perhaps most important, sociology provides self-enlightenment, offering groups and individuals an increased opportunity to alter the conditions of their own lives.