Sociological Frameworks

Sociology is about understanding patterns of behavior.

But how do you "begin" trying the understand any particular pattern of behavior?

Answer: You have to make assumptions about the nature of society or human beings. These assumptions will allow you to collect information, put it into a "framework," see generalities.

Have all sociologists agreed that one set of assumptions is the best approach to understanding patterns of behavior?

Answer: No.
Groups of sociologists -- you could call them "schools" -- have found different sets of assumptions most useful for understanding patterns of behavior.

Below are four of the most prevalent "ways of doing sociology" current today.

Four Sociological Frameworks
Two "macro" frameworks -- used to understand how whole societies change over time.
"Macro" Frameworks:	Key Concepts:
Structural-Functional Framework	Society is a "system" "Institutions" are the parts of the social system Study institutions and how they relate to each other.
Conflict Framework (Feminist Variant)	Society is a collection of classes (genders) Conflict and change are to be expected Look for "contradictions"
Two "micro" frameworks -- used to understand how real groups of individuals behave.
"Micro" Frameworks:	Key Concepts:
Exchange Framework	individuals seek to minimize pain and maximize pleasure relationships can be understood by uncovering what both parties are giving and getting
Symbolic-Interaction Framework	individuals are "symbol" manipulators understanding behavior entails uncovering its symbolic meaning for the actors

Structural Functional Framework

Basic assumptions:

A social system is a group of institutions that together fulfill the basic needs of a society.
An institution is a cluster of norms built up around a particular basic need.

For example, "the family" is a cluster of norms that induce individuals in a society to have children and take care of them.

All the institutions in a given social system are related to each other. If one institution changes, it will have repercussions on all other institutions in that system.

For example, if a society's economy changes from being agricultural to industrial then the family, polity, religion, etc... of that society will also undergo changes.

An example of structural-functional analysis

Explain the change in the number of births average American women have experienced.

**US Births per Woman: 1800-1998**
Year	# of Births
1800	8
1900	4
1998	2

Conflict Framework

Basic assumptions/concepts:

Society is a cluster of classes.
The social structure is held together by the actions of the privileged class to preserve their position.
Each class will pursue its interest.
Pursuit of class interest is a basic cause of social change.
The direction of social change can be uncovered by identifying the "contradictions" that lay behind the pursuit of class interest.

Feminist sociologists make "conflict" assumptions -- but insert "gender" instead of "class" in these assumptions.

An example of conflict (feminist) analysis

Explain the increased political and economic power of women in American society throughout the 20th century.