Define Sociology.

Sociology is the science or discipline that studies societies, social groups & the relationships between people.

What is the humanistic approach to sociology?

Sociology as a means to advance human welfare.

What is the scientific approach to sociology?

Concerned with acquiring objective empirical knowledge and not with the uses to which such knowledge is put.

Name some social sciences.

Sociology, psychology, economics, political science, anthropology.

Who was Auguste Comte?

1. Coined the term "sociology" in 1838 from the Latin word "socius" (meaning "companion with others") & the Greek word logos (meaning "study of").
2. Concluded that every science, from astronomy to sociology follows the same regular pattern of development.:  theological stage, metaphysical stage & positive stage.

Define the following stages from Auguste Comte's theory of how every science, including sociology, develops:

1. Theological stage.
2. Metaphysical stage.
3. Positive stage.

1. Theological stage - scientists look toward the supernatural realm of ideas for an explanation of what they observe.
2. Metaphysical stage - scientists begin to look to the real world for an explanation of what they observe.
3. Positive stage - defined as the definitive stage of all knowledge; scientists search for general ideas or laws and use such knowledge to predict and thereby control mankind's destiny for a better future for all.

Define the "grand theory" advocated by Talcott Parsons (1902-1979).

Who was Robert Merton (1910-2003)?

Sociologist who proposed building middle range theories from a limited number of assumptions from which hypotheses are derived.  He also distinguished between manifest, or intended, and latent, or unintended, consequences of existing elements of social structure  which are either functional or dysfunctional to the system's relative stability.

Define deductive theory.

Proceeds from general ideas, knowledge, or understanding of the social world from which specific hypotheses are logically deduced and tested.

Define inductive theory.

Proceeds from concrete observations from which general conclusions are inferred through a process of reasoning.

Define interpretative sociology.

Studies the processes whereby human being attach meaning to their lives.  Includes the perspectives of symbolic interaction, dramaturgy, and ethnomethodology. 

Define the symbolic interaction perspective of interpretative sociology.

Derived from the work of Mead & Blumer.  Focused on the process of social interaction and on the meanings that are constructed and reconstructed in that process.  Human being are viewed as shaping their actions based upon both the real and anticipated responses of other.  Thus defined by an ongoing process of negotiation, social life is considered far from stable.