Ch 1 The Sociological Perspective Presentation

Ch 1 The Sociological Perspective Presentation

Essentials of Sociology Thirteenth Edition Chapter 1 The Sociological Perspective

Figure 1.1 Suicide of Americans Ages 18-24 A comparison of male to female suicide rates in 18- to 24-year-olds across various racial-ethnic groups. Source: By the author. Based on CDC 2015a: Figure 1.

Figure 1.2 The Forgotten Sociologists A photo wheel identifying prominent early female sociologists. Source: Photo wheel copyright 2018 © James M. Henslin.

Figure 1.3 Comparing Basic and Applied Sociology A continuum showing the relationship of basic to public to applied sociology. Source: By the author. Based on DeMartini 1982, plus events since then.

Figure 1.4 Call-Back Rates by Race-Ethnicity and Criminal Record As shown in this graph, a study showed that even whites with criminal histories were called back more than African Americans. Source: Courtesy of Devah Pager.

Figure 1.5 U.S. Marriage, U.S. Divorce Line graph depicting changes in U.S. marriage and divorce rates over time. Source: By the author. Based on Statistical Abstract of the United States 1998:Table 92 and 2017:Tables 82, 141; earlier editions for earlier years. The broken lines indicate the author’s estimates.

Figure 1.6 Western Marriage Chart illustrating the shift in priorities that has taken place over time within marriages in the West. Source: By the author.

 Levels of Analysis: Macro and Micro (2 of 2)

Table 1.1 Three Theoretical Perspectives in Sociology Theoretical Perspective Usual Level of Analysis Focus of Analysis Key Terms Applying the Perspective to the U.S. Divorce Rate Symbolic Interactionism Microsociological: examines small-scale patterns of social interaction Face-to-face interaction, how people use symbols to create social life Symbols Interaction Meanings Definitions Industrialization and urbanization changed marital roles and led to a redefinition of love, marriage, children, and divorce. Functional Analysis (also called functionalism and structural functionalism) Macrosociological: examines large-scale patterns of society Relationships among the parts of society; how these parts are functional (have beneficial consequences) or dysfunctional (have negative consequences) Structure Functions (manifest and latent) Dysfunctions Equilibrium As social change erodes the traditional functions of the family, family ties weaken, and the divorce rate increases. Conflict Theory Macrosociological: examines large-scale patterns of society The struggle for scarce resources by groups in a society; how the elites use their power to control the weaker groups Inequality Power Conflict Competition Exploitation When men control economic life, the divorce rate is low because women find few alternatives to a bad marriage. The high divorce rate reflects a shift in the balance of power between men and women. Source: By the author

Table 1.2 – How to Read a Table

 Table 1.3 – Three Ways to Measure “Average”

Figure 1.7 The Research Model Chart showing the steps of the research model. Surveys (3 of 3)

Table 1.4 Closed- and Open-Ended Questions A. Closed-Ended Question B. Open-Ended Question Which of the following best fits your idea of what should be done to someone who has been convicted of spouse abuse? What do you think should be done to someone who has been convicted of spouse abuse? 1. Probation 2. Jail time 3. Community service 4. Counseling 5. Divorce 6. Nothing—It’s a family matter

Figure 1.8 The Experiment Chart showing the stages of a formal experiment. Source: By the author.

 

 

Your answer should be complete, and must be written in standard, grammatically correct English.

1. Distinguish between the two levels of analysis used in sociology (macro-level and micro-level). Provide at least one example of each type of research. Which would be the best to use if a sociologist wanted to learn about accounting majors in the United States? Why?

2. Distinguish between manifest and latent functions, and dysfunctions. Provide at least one example of each, relevant to higher levels of education in the United States. Specifically, explain the manifest and latent functions and dysfunctions of attending college, along with the dysfunctions os a college education.

3. Distinguish between the functionalist and conflict approaches to the study of society. Which approach would be most consistent with the values of political conservatives? Why? Which approach would be the most consistent with political liberals? Why?

4. Why is nonverbal communication so important to interactionist theory?

5. How can the functionalist, conflict, and interactionist views be used to interpret professional sports? List at least one example of a question that each theory would explore? Which theory do you believe would provide the most meaningful/important results? Why?

 6. Identify and briefly explain the eight basic steps in the scientific method.

7. What are the advantages and limitations of interviews when doing social research? What are the advantages and limitations of questionnaires when doing survey research? Which do you believe is better, interviews or questionnaires? Why?