Sociology is the systematic study of social behavior
and human groups. In this chapter, we examine the
nature of sociological theory, the founders of the
discipline, theoretical perspectives of contemporary
sociology, and ways to exercise the "sociological
imagination."
An important element in the sociological
imagination--which is an awareness of the
relationship between an individual and the
wider society--is the ability to view our own
society as an outsider might, rather than from
the perspective of our limited experiences and
cultural biases.
Knowledge that relies on "common sense" is not
always reliable. Sociologists must test and
analyze each piece of information that they use.
In contrast to other social sciences, sociology
emphasizes the influence that groups can have
on people's behavior and attitudes and the ways
in which people shape society.
Sociologists employ theories to examine the
relationships between observations or data that
may seem completely unrelated.
Nineteenth-century thinkers who contributed
sociological insights included Auguste Comte, a
French philosopher; Harriet Martineau, an
English sociologist; and Herbert Spencer, an
English scholar.
Other important figures in the development of
sociology were Émile Durkheim, who pioneered
work on suicide; Max Weber, who taught the
need for "insight" in intellectual work; and Karl
Marx, who emphasized the importance of the
economy and of conflict in society.
In the twentieth century, the discipline of
sociology is indebted to the U.S. sociologists
Charles Horton Cooley and Robert Merton.
Macrosociology concentrates on large-scale
phenomena or entire civilizations, whereas
microsociology stresses study of small groups.
The functionalist perspective of sociology
emphasizes the way that parts of a society are
structured to maintain its stability.
The conflict perspective assumes that social
behavior is best understood in terms of conflict
or tension between competing groups.
The interactionist perspective is primarily
concerned with fundamental or everyday forms
of interaction, including symbols and other
types of nonverbal communication.
The feminist perspective views inequity in
gender as central to all behavior and
organization.
Sociologists make use of all four perspectives,
since each offers unique insights into the same
issue.
This textbook makes use of the sociological
imagination by showing theory in practice and
research in action; by focusing on the
significance of social inequality; by speaking
across race, gender, and national boundaries;
and by highlighting social policy around the
world.
