Sociology Theory

1
Sociology Theory

• What do Sociologists Believe?

2
Theory

• A statement of how and why specific facts are
  related
• The sun rises and sets because the Earth rotates
  on its axis

3
Paradigm

• When creating theory, what guides thinking and
  research
• By observing and recording celestial objects, we
  can understand the Earths relationship to the
  universe

4
Structural-Functional Paradigm

• Society is a complex system whose parts work
  together to promote cohesion and stability
• Auguste Comte (named Sociology in 1838)
• Emile Durkheim
• Herbert Spencer
• Talcott Parsons (US)

5
Structural-Functional Paradigm

• Social Structures
• Stable patterns of social behavior
• Family, work, school
• Social Functions
• The consequences of social patterns for society
• What keeps society going
• Modeled on the human body

6
Social Functions

• Manifest functions
• Recognized and intended
• Latent functions
• Unrecognized and unintended
• Social dysfunctions
• Undesireable

7
Social-Conflict Paradigm

• Society is an arena of conflict that generates
  conflict and change
• W.E.B. Du Bois
• Race
• Karl Marx
• Class

8
Symbolic-Interaction Paradigm

• Society is the product of everyday interactions
  of individuals
• Focuses on social interaction rather than the
  broad structures of society
• Max Weber