Overview
This lecture introduces key sociological concepts about types of societies, major sociological theories, and the social construction of reality, with a focus on how technology, roles, and interactions shape social life.
Types of Societies
- Society refers to people in a defined community sharing culture and institutions, often governed by political authority.
- Societies are classified by their level of technology: pre-industrial, industrial, and post-industrial.
- Pre-industrial societies include hunter-gatherer, pastoral, horticultural, agricultural, and feudal systems, each defined by resource use and technology.
- The Industrial Revolution led to mechanization, urban growth, and new social classes.
- Post-industrial societies focus on information and service economies, where knowledge and education determine class.
Major Theoretical Perspectives on Society
- Emile Durkheim (Functionalism) saw society as interconnected, with collective conscience and social integration necessary for order.
- Mechanical solidarity (pre-industrial): Social cohesion from shared values and work.
- Organic solidarity (industrial): Cohesion from economic and social differences and interdependence.
- Karl Marx (Conflict Theory) viewed society as structured by economic base, with conflict between economic classes (bourgeoisie and proletariat) driving change.
- Marx’s alienation: workers are disconnected from their labor, products, others, and themselves.
- Max Weber (Symbolic Interactionism) focused on class, status, power, and rationalization in society.
- Rationalization leads to efficiency but can cause dehumanization (iron cage).
- Weber’s "Protestant work ethic" linked hard work and success to religious ideas, supporting capitalism.
Social Construction of Reality
- Social reality is constructed through habitualization—repeated actions become patterns and institutions.
- Thomas theorem: "If men define situations as real, they are real in their consequences."
- Self-fulfilling prophecy: False beliefs can lead to real outcomes if people act on them.
- Symbolic interactionism studies how people use symbols (language, gestures) to create shared meanings.
- Roles are patterns of behavior tied to social status, which can be ascribed (given) or achieved (chosen).
- Role strain and conflict occur when role expectations clash or are too demanding.
Presentation of Self
- Goffman’s dramaturgy: Life is like a stage; people manage impressions to influence how others see them.
- Role performance varies by social context (family, work, friends).
- Looking-glass self: We form our self-image based on how we think others see us.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Society — a group sharing culture, institutions, and authority in a defined area.
- Mechanical Solidarity — cohesion from shared work and values in simple societies.
- Organic Solidarity — cohesion from interdependence in complex societies.
- Alienation — feeling isolated from work, products, others, or self.
- Habitualization — repeated actions forming social patterns.
- Status — a social position in hierarchy, with roles attached.
- Role — expected behavior for a given status.
- Impression Management — controlling how others perceive us.
- Self-fulfilling Prophecy — a belief that becomes true when acted upon.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review textbook sections on types of societies and major sociological theories.
- Reflect on the roles and statuses you hold and possible role conflicts.
- Prepare examples from your life illustrating habitualization or impression management.