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 in contemporary sociology, and ways to exercise the "sociological imagination."

1. The sociological imagination is an awareness of the relationship between an individual and the wider society. It is based on the ability to view our own society as an outsider might, rather than from the perspective of our limited experiences and cultural biases.

2. 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.

3. Knowledge that relies on "common sense" is not always reliable. Sociologists must test and analyze each piece of information they use.

4. Sociologists employ theories to examine the relationships between observations or data that may seem completely unrelated.

5. Nineteenth-century thinkers who contributed sociological insights included Auguste Comte, a French philosopher; Harriet Martineau, an English sociologist; and Herbert Spencer, an English scholar.

6. 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 social conflict.

7. In the 20th century, the discipline of sociology was indebted to the U.S. sociologists Charles Horton Cooley and Robert Merton.

8. Macrosociology concentrates on large-scale phenomena or entire civilizations, whereas microsociology stresses the study of small groups.

9. The functionalist perspective emphasizes the way in which the parts of a society are structured to maintain its stability.

10. The conflict perspective assumes that social behavior is best understood in terms of conflict or tension between competing groups.

11. The interactionist perspective is primarily concerned with fundamental or everyday forms of interaction, including symbols and other types of nonverbal communication.

12. Sociologists make use of all three perspectives, since each offers unique insights into the same issue.

13. 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.