SOCL 2001 : Test 1 Pt 1
Document Summary
Facts require a framework to interpret them. Theory- general statement about how some parts of the world fit together : ex: many serial killers have milk in their fridge. That"s a fact, but does: how two or more facts relate how they work. Symbols are the key to understanding our worldview & how we communicate with one another. Face-to-face interactions (micro sociological perspective: the reason is because symbols are relative, person to person interactions. Without symbols, human social life would be no more sophisticated than animals. Society is a whole unit made of interrelated parts that work together (macro) Comte & spencer- society as living organism. Like a body with separate parts that works together as a whole. Assumes harmony is the natural state of society. Parts must work in harmony for society to function smoothly. Durkheim: normal state, abnormal state (when not all parts of society fulfill their normal state, ex: hurricane. Functions help keep the society in balance.
