Doğa ÇEKMEGÜL
INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY
FINAL REVIEW
What is Sociology?
Sociology is the systematic study of society and social interaction. In
order to carry out their studies, sociologists identify cultural patterns and
social forces and determine how they a ect individuals and groups. They
also develop ways to apply their ndings to the real world.
August Comte, French: social statics and social dynami
Karl Marx, German: class con ict, alienation, historical materialism, etc
Emile Durkheim, French: social fact
Max Weber, German: social action; subjective meaning
Herbert Spencer, British: social Darwinism
Harriet Martineau, British: active advocate of the abolition of slavery and
gender issues
Summary of sociological theories
1. Structural Functionalism(Émile Durkheim): Sees society as a
complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and
stability. Key concepts: consensus, social order, structure, and function
in society
Émile Durkheim believed that as societies advance, they make the transition
from mechanical to organic solidarity.
.
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, 2. Social Con ict Theory(Karl Marx ): Sees society in a framework of
class con icts and focuses on the struggle for scarce resources by different
groups in a given society. Key concepts: class con ict; alienation;
competition; domination
For Karl Marx, society exists in terms of class con ict. With the rise of
capitalism, workers become alienated from themselves and others in society.
3. Symbolic Interactionism(Max Weber): Stresses the analysis of how
our behaviors depend on how we de ne others and ourselves. It concentrates
on process, rather than structure, and keeps the individual actor at the center.
Key concepts: symbols; processes; interaction; meaning
Sociologist Max Weber noted that the rationalization of society can be taken
to unhealthy extremes.
Methods and Researc
The Scienti c Method: Sociologists make use of tried and true methods
of research, such as experiments, surveys, and eld research
objective, critical, skeptical, and logical.
Step 1: Ask a Question.
Step 2: Research Existing Sources.
Step 3: Formulate a Hypothesis.
Step 4: Design and Conduct a Study.
Step 5: Draw Conclusions.
Step 6: Report Results.
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INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY
FINAL REVIEW
What is Sociology?
Sociology is the systematic study of society and social interaction. In
order to carry out their studies, sociologists identify cultural patterns and
social forces and determine how they a ect individuals and groups. They
also develop ways to apply their ndings to the real world.
August Comte, French: social statics and social dynami
Karl Marx, German: class con ict, alienation, historical materialism, etc
Emile Durkheim, French: social fact
Max Weber, German: social action; subjective meaning
Herbert Spencer, British: social Darwinism
Harriet Martineau, British: active advocate of the abolition of slavery and
gender issues
Summary of sociological theories
1. Structural Functionalism(Émile Durkheim): Sees society as a
complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and
stability. Key concepts: consensus, social order, structure, and function
in society
Émile Durkheim believed that as societies advance, they make the transition
from mechanical to organic solidarity.
.
fl fi ff
s
c
, 2. Social Con ict Theory(Karl Marx ): Sees society in a framework of
class con icts and focuses on the struggle for scarce resources by different
groups in a given society. Key concepts: class con ict; alienation;
competition; domination
For Karl Marx, society exists in terms of class con ict. With the rise of
capitalism, workers become alienated from themselves and others in society.
3. Symbolic Interactionism(Max Weber): Stresses the analysis of how
our behaviors depend on how we de ne others and ourselves. It concentrates
on process, rather than structure, and keeps the individual actor at the center.
Key concepts: symbols; processes; interaction; meaning
Sociologist Max Weber noted that the rationalization of society can be taken
to unhealthy extremes.
Methods and Researc
The Scienti c Method: Sociologists make use of tried and true methods
of research, such as experiments, surveys, and eld research
objective, critical, skeptical, and logical.
Step 1: Ask a Question.
Step 2: Research Existing Sources.
Step 3: Formulate a Hypothesis.
Step 4: Design and Conduct a Study.
Step 5: Draw Conclusions.
Step 6: Report Results.
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.
