The Natural and Social Sciences

The Natural and Social Sciences Natural Sciences - Biology - Chemistry - Physics - Geology Social Sciences - Anthropology - Economics - History - Political Science - Psychology - Sociology - Sociology is the scientific study of: (1) the social behavior and attitudes of individuals; (2) the structure of groups, organizations, and societies; and (3) the relationships among social structures and human behavior. Structure - our social setting has a tremendous impact on our behavior; which is not to say that social context simply determines behavior. Agency - individuals and groups are capable of acting independently of social influences; that is, humans influence and are influenced by their social setting. • Methodological Considerations and Units of Analysis –Macrosociology –Microsociology • Major Sociological Perspectives and Theorists - Functionalism: Comte, Durkheim, Parsons, Merton - Conflict Theory: Marx, Mills, Braverman, Coser - Symbolic Interactionism: Mead, Cooley, Thomas a) Chicago School: Blumer, Wirth, Park, Burgess b) Iowa School: Kuhn c) Dramaturgy: