Contemporary Sociological Theory : Expanding the Classical Tradition

by Wallace, Ruth A.; Wolf, Alison

• ISBN13: 9780131850514
• ISBN10: 0131850512
• Edition: 6th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-02-08
• Publisher: Pearson

Summary

This book examines the assumptions and concepts of the five major sociological theories and the classical roots of the modern theories. It focuses specifically on functionalism, conflict theory, theories of rational choice, symbolic interactionism, and phenomenology. Focusing on writers whose work has most influenced social theory, this book explores the key concepts of each theory, the background of the major theorists, empirical applications, and everyday "lay" use of each perspective. The book also features examples of research based on actual theory, direct quotations from major theorists, and feminist contributions and critiques on each major perspective. The sixth edition of Contemporary Sociological Theory: Continuing the Classical Traditionhas been revised to include updated research examples that were theoretically driven. An essential reference for every professional whose work is related to sociology.

Table of Contents

Preface	xi
The Understanding of Society	1	(14)
The Structure of Sociological Theory	3	(10)
Subject Matter	5	(1)
Assumptions	6	(2)
Methodology	8	(3)
Objectives	11	(2)
Theory and Understanding: The Examples of Formal Education and the Role of Women in Contemporary Society	13	(2)
Functionalism	15	(52)
Introduction	16	(2)
Functionalism Defined	17	(1)
Intellectual Roots: Emile Durkheim and His Forerunners	18	(7)
Emile Durkheim	19	(6)
Part One: Talcott Parsons: Grand Theory	25	(1)
Background	25	(1)
Parsons's System Levels	26	(2)
Parsons's Theory of Action	28	(1)
The Pattern Variables	29	(6)
The Functional System Problems---AGIL	35	(10)
AGIL and Equilibrium	41	(4)
Part Two: Robert K. Merton: Middle-Range Theory	45	(1)
Background	45	(1)
Theories of the Middle Range	46	(1)
Clarifying Functional Analysis	47	(8)
Dysfunctions	48	(3)
Manifest and Latent Functions	51	(1)
Functional Alternatives	52	(3)
Merton's Theory of Deviance	55	(2)
Part Three: Neofunctionalism	57	(1)
Jeffrey C. Alexander	58	(1)
Neil J. Smelser	59	(2)
Niklas Luhmann	61	(3)
Conclusion	64	(3)
Conflict Theory	67	(91)
Introduction: The Two Traditions	68	(2)
The Two Traditions	69	(1)
Intellectual Roots	70	(8)
Power, Position, and Legitimacy: Marx and Weber	70	(5)
Power, Elites, and Classes	75	(1)
The Web of Conflict: Simmel and the Chicago School	76	(2)
Summary	78	(1)
Part One: Conflict Theory and the Critique of Society	78	(2)
Marxist and Neo-Marxist Sociology	80	(21)
The Economic Basis of Society	81	(1)
Class and the Economic Base of Conflict	82	(5)
Culture, Ideology, and Alienation	87	(6)
Class, Society, and the State	93	(6)
Marxist Analysis: An Assessment	99	(2)
Critical Theory: The Frankfurt School	101	(6)
Critical Theory and the Nature of Social Science	102	(5)
C. Wright Mills	107	(4)
The Sociological Imagination	107	(1)
Alienation and Bureaucracy	108	(1)
The Power Elite	109	(2)
Pierre Bourdieu	111	(9)
Reproduction and Habitus	114	(4)
Conclusion	118	(2)
Part Two: Conflict Theory and Analytic Sociology: The Legacy of Max Weber	120	(1)
Ralf Dahrendorf	121	(9)
Power, Conflict, and Social Explanation	122	(2)
The Determinants of Conflict: A Theory of Conflict Groups	124	(6)
Summary	130	(1)
Lewis Coser	130	(8)
The Origins and Functions of Social Conflict	132	(3)
Divisive Social Conflict	135	(3)
Summary	138	(1)
Randall Collins	138	(17)
The Nature of Conflict Sociology	139	(2)
Social Institutions and the Balance of Resources	141	(9)
Culture, Ideology, and Legitimation	150	(3)
Military Force and Geopolitics	153	(2)
Summary	155	(1)
Conclusion	155	(3)
Evolution and Modernity: Macrosociological Perspectives	158	(39)
Introduction	159	(1)
Intellectual Roots	160	(2)
Part One: Karl Marx and the Classless Society	162	(1)
The End of Capitalism	163	(5)
World Systems Theory	165	(3)
Part Two: Talcott Parsons's Evolutionary Model	168	(6)
Evolutionary Universals	169	(5)
Part Three: Jurgen Habermas: Rationalization and Communicative Action	174	(12)
Evolution and Crisis	176	(4)
Rationalization of the Lifeworld	180	(1)
Lifeworld and System	181	(2)
Reason and Rationalization	183	(3)
Part Four: Anthony Giddens: Structuration Theory, High Modernity, and Globalization	186	(9)
Social Structure	188	(2)
High Modernity and Globalization	190	(5)
Conclusion	195	(2)
Symbolic Interactionism	197	(64)
Introduction	198	(1)
Intellectual Roots: Max Weber and Georg Simmel	199	(5)
Part One: George Herbert Mead: The Self	204	(1)
The Self	205	(2)
Self-Interaction	207	(2)
The Development of the Self	209	(2)
Symbolic Meaning	211	(2)
Part Two: Herbert Blumer: Interpretation and Methodology	213	(1)
Interpretation	214	(3)
The Three Basic Premises	217	(3)
Structure and Process	220	(5)
Methodology	225	(10)
Inductive Approach	226	(2)
Modes of Inquiry	228	(6)
Microsociology	234	(1)
Part Three: Erving Goffman: Dramaturgy and the Interaction Order	235	(1)
Background	235	(3)
Dramaturgy and Everyday Life	238	(6)
The Interaction Order	244	(3)
Part Four: Arlie Russell Hochschild and Patricia Hill Collins: Expanding the Horizons of Symbolic Interactionism	247	(1)
Background	248	(2)
Arlie Russell Hochschild: Emotional Labor	250	(3)
Other Contributions to Sociology of Emotions	253	(2)
Patricia Hill Collins: Black Feminist Thought	255	(4)
Conclusion	259	(2)
Phenomenology	261	(41)
Introduction	262	(1)
Intellectual Roots: Edmund Husserl and Alfred Schutz	263	(4)
Part One: Harold Garfinkel: The Founder of Ethnomethodology	267	(1)
Background	268	(1)
Ethnomethodology Defined	269	(4)
Accounting	273	(3)
Doing Ethnomethodology	276	(4)
Methodological Comparison	280	(5)
Part Two: Peter Berger: The Social Construction of Reality	285	(1)
Background	285	(1)
Key Concepts	285	(7)
Externalization	287	(1)
Objectivation	288	(1)
Internalization	289	(3)
Part Three: Dorothy E. Smith: Feminist Standpoint Theory	292	(1)
Background	292	(1)
Standpoint Theory Defined	293	(4)
Methodological Implications	297	(3)
Conclusion	300	(2)
Theories of Rational Choice	302	(79)
Introduction	303	(2)
Intellectual Roots	305	(8)
Anthropology and the Importance of the Gift	306	(2)
Economics, Profit, and Price	308	(3)
Behaviorist Psychology and the Theory of Games	311	(2)
Part One: Rational Choice, Social Exchange, and Individual Behavior	313	(1)
George Homans: Elementary Social Behavior	313	(13)
The Principles of Rationality	316	(5)
The Deprivation-Satiation Proposition	321	(1)
Aggression and Approval	321	(5)
Power, Equity, and Games	326	(12)
Power	326	(3)
Equity and Affect: The ``Social'' Max	329	(2)
Games Theory and the Prisoner's Dilemma	331	(7)
Part Two: Rational Choice and the Analysis of Social Structure	338	(1)
Peter Blau: Exchange and Social Integration	338	(10)
The Distinctive Nature of Social Exchange	340	(5)
Exchange and Power	345	(3)
Norms and Networks	348	(15)
Collective Action and the Problem of ``Free Riders''	349	(9)
Networks and Emergent Processes	358	(5)
Part Three: James Coleman and the Foundations of Social Theory	363	(1)
Coalitions, Trust, and Norms	364	(8)
Coalition Building	364	(2)
Trust and the Formation of Group Norms	366	(6)
Social Capital	372	(4)
Natural Persons and Corporate Actors	375	(1)
Conclusion	376	(5)
Rediscovering the Body: The Sociology of the Body and Sociobiology	381	(34)
Introduction	382	(1)
Part One: The Sociology of the Body	383	(14)
Representing the Body	384	(5)
Mental Illness: Real or Constructed?	389	(2)
Regulating Populations and Bodies	391	(6)
Part Two: Sociobiology	397	(4)
Selfish Genes and Kin Selection	401	(8)
Trust and Altruism	405	(2)
Reproductive Strategies: Who Is Cheating Whom?	407	(2)
Sociobiology and Culture	409	(6)
Biology and Culture	411	(2)
Biology and Sociology	413	(2)
Conclusion: Evaluating Sociological Theory	415	(23)
Part One: The Future of Sociological Theory: Modernism and Postmodernism	416	(1)
Introduction	416	(10)
Historical Trends	417	(2)
The Postmodernist Critique	419	(7)
Part Two: Sociological Theory and Understanding: The Value of Multiple Perspectives	426	(12)
Exploring Formal Education: The Role of the School	428	(4)
Exploring the Role of Women in Contemporary Society	432	(6)
Selected Bibliography	438	(9)
Index	447