Transcript Sociology Chapter 1-3/4 Notes

Sociology
Chapter 1 Section 3
“Modern Perspectives”
Major Theoretical Perspectives
Theory: Systematic explanation of
relationships among phenomena
 Theoretical Perspectives: a set of
ASSUMPTIONS based on the nature of
society




Functionalist
Interactionist
Conflict: Karl Marx
Conflict Perspective





Karl Marx
Inequality causes
competition
Competition causes
“tension”
Tension leads to
conflict
Conflict leads to
change
Interactionist Perspective





Weber
Focus on how Individuals RELATECommunicate in society (Social Psychology)
Symbol: Anything that stands for something
else (Flag)
Symbolic Interaction:
Interaction between people that takes place
through symbols



Handshake
Military Salute
Japan: Bowing when meeting someone…etc
Levels of Analysis
Macrosociology: Study of Large Scale
systems or society as a whole
 Microsociology: Study of small-group
settings or indiviudual “face to face”
interaction
 Globalization: Development of economic,
political, and social relationships that
stretch worldwide
 Read Page 19: “The Spread of Hip Hop”

Globalization: Pros and Cons
Which Theoretical Perspective(s) would most likely
support the picture on the left? Right? Why?
Sociology
Chapter 1 Section 4
“Conducting Sociological
Research”
The Research Process



Sociologists use various scientific methods to
collect data for interpretation
Scientific Method: objective, logical, and
systematic way of collecting empirical data and
drawing conclusions
DANGERS: 1) Researchers must prevent own
biases from interfering with research 2) Use
careful/correct reasoning in drawing conclusions
3) Carry out research in a thoughtful, organized
manner (See Page 21 for Process
The Research Process-Page 21




1) Define Problem
2) Review Existing Literature
3) Form a Hypothesis: prediction of
relationship between two variables
4) Choose a research design

Survey: Questionnaires or interviews







Sample: Small number of people from a larger
population
Experiments
Observation
Analysis of existing research
5) Collect Data
6) Analyze Data
7) Present Conclusions
Causation and Correlation







Variable: Characteristic that can differ from one
individual or group to another in a MEASURABLE
way
Ex: Age, Race, Gender, Marital Status, Education
Level are all examples of possible variables for
comparison
Correlation: Exists when a change in one variable
is regularly associated with a change in another
variable (Can be positive OR negative)
Ex: Cigarette smoke and health problems: The
higher the rate of smoking, then the higher the
rate of lung cancer (Positive Correlation)
Negative Correlation: as people age, they need
LESS sleep to feel well rested
Spurious Correlation: Two things look related, but
is actually affected by a THIRD variable
Ex: Deaths and Hospitals. Death rates in hospitals
are high, but hospitals DO NOT CAUSE deaths…
the third variable is: people with serious illness go
to hospitals for help. Serious illness is the reason
for the high death rate. Not the hospital itself.
Analysis of Existing Sources
Historical Method: examining things from
the past (Documents…etc)
 Content Analysis: Counting number of
times that word, phrase, idea, event,
symbol, or other element shows up in a
given context (How many “profane” words
do you hear throughout your school-day?)

Observational Studies
Participant Observation: Researchers
become directly involved with subjects
(Either known to subject OR anonymous)
 Case Study: INTENSIVE analysis of a
person, group, event, or problem

Experiments
Experiment: Data gathered under
controlled conditions: Usually done in
laboratory so researcher can
manipulate variables
 Statistical Analysis: Use of
mathematical data: Analyzing data
ALREADY collected to see what factors
MAY contribute to conditions

Ethics: Three Rules to Follow
1) Subject confidentiality must be
protected
 2) Deception: how much is too much?
 3) Informed Consent: Subjects should
have CLEAR explanation of research
before participating
