2. Types of Society
A Group: is a set of
people who interact
on the basis of
shared expectations
and who possess
some degree of
common identity.
Sociologists classify
societies according to
Subsistence
strategies: the way a
society uses
technology to provide
for the needs of its
members
Sociologists group societies in three broad categories:
preindustrial, industrial, or postindustrial.
3. Preindustrial Societies
Preindustrial societies: food production- which is
carried out through the use of human and
animal labor- is the main economic activity.
These societies can be subdivided based on the
method of producing food.
Hunting and gathering
Pastoral
Horticultural and
agricultural
4. Hunting and Gathering Societies
Hunting and
Gathering: the daily
collection of wild
plants and the
hunting of wild
animals.
Hunter-gatherers
move around
constantly in search
of food.
Such societies generally
consist of less then 60 people.
Statuses within the group are
relatively equal and decisions
are reached through general
agreement.
The family is the main social
unit, with most societal
members being related by birth
or marriage.
This type of organization
requires the family to carry out
social functions such as
education.
5. Pastoral Societies
Pastoral Societies are
a slightly more
efficient form of
subsistence. Rather
the searching for food
on a daily basis
members rely on
domesticated animals
to meet their food
needs.
Pastoralists live a nomadic life
moving their herds from pasture to
pasture.
Pastoral societies can support
larger populations.
Since there is food surpluses,
fewer people are needed to
produce food.
Therefore you see a Division of
Labor-the specialization of
individuals in the performance of
specific economic activities-
becomes more complex
Ex. Craft workers, producing
tools, weapons, jewelry.
6. Pastoral Societies cont.
The production of goods
encourage trade.
Trade in turn creates
inequality as some
families acquire more
goods then others.
These families often
acquire power through
their increased wealth.
Patriarchal society
The passing on of
property from generation
to generation helps to
centralize wealth and
power.
In time, hereditary
chieftainships-the typical
form of government in
pastoral societies- will
emerge.
7. Horticultural Societies
Fruits and vegetables
grown in garden plots
that have been cleared
from the jungle or forest
provide the main source
of food in a horticultural
society.
Culturalists use human
labor and simple tools to
cultivate land for one or
more seasons
This allows them to
build permanent or
semi-permanent
villages.
This size of the
village depends on
the land available for
farming.
8. Horticultural Societies continued
Specialized roles that
are part of
horticultural life
include those of
craftspeople,
shamans-or religious
leaders, and traders
As with pastoral
societies, surplus in food
lead to inequalities in
wealth and power.
Economic and political
systems may be stronger
here because of the more
settled nature of a
horticultural society
9. Agricultural Societies
In an agricultural
society animals are
used to pull plows to
till the fields.
This technological
innovation allows
agriculturists to plant
more crops than is
possible when only
human labor is used.
Irrigation is also used to
yield more crops.
Higher crop yields allows
agricultural societies to
support very large
populations.
This again leads to
specialization, but the
population size will create
cities of these groups.
10. Agricultural Societies continued
As the number of cities
increase, power often
becomes concentrated in
the hands of single
individuals.
This power is passed on
from generation to
generation and usually
results in hereditary
monarchy.
Seperation between
church and government
Leaders of agriculture
societies build powerful
armies to provide
protection from outside
attacks
With the increase in
population, crops and
specialization (especially
trade) there no longer
exists:
Barter: the exchange of a
good or service to
facilitate a trade.
11. Agricultural Societies continued
In place of bartering they use money as the
medium of exchange.
Many develop a writing system to assist
government, land owners, and traders in
keeping records.
Most people belong to one of two groups:
Landowners or peasants
The small group of landowners controls the wealth
and power.
The large peasant group provides the labor on the
which the landowners’ wealth and power depend.
12. Industrial Societies
In an industrial
society the emphasis
shifts from production
of food to the
production of
manufactured goods.
This shift is made
possible by changes
in production
methods.
The bulk of
production is carried
out through the use of
machines.
Society dependent
upon science and
technology to
produce basic goods
and services.
13. Industrial Societies
Industrialization changes the location of
work.
Production and work move from the home to
the factory.
How does this change the relationship with
who you work with??
Urbanization- the concentration of the
population in cities
14. Industrial Societies differences
In pre-industrial societies the family is the
primary social institutions but in industrial
societies education and production take
place outside the home.
The role of religion changes as well in
industrial societies where scientific ideas
often challenge religious beliefs.
15. Industrial Societies differences
One positive effect is that it brings people
more freedom to compete for social
position. In pre-industrial societies most
social statuses are ascribed thus it is
difficult to move up. In industrial societies
most statuses are achieved and
individuals have more control over their
position in the social structure.
16. Post-industrial Societies
The United States is a post-industrial society.
Post industrial- much of the economy is involved
in providing information and services.
In the U.S. 75% of the workforce is involved in
these activities.
In contrast 2% of the workers are employed by
agriculture and nearly 25% are employed in the
production of goods.
17. Post-industrial Societies
continued
The standard of living and the quality of life
improves as wages increase for much of the
population.
Post industrial societies place strong emphasis
on the roles of science and education in society.
Technological advances are viewed as key to
the future of society.
The rights of individuals and the search for
personal fulfillment take on importance.
Belief in these rights lead to a strong emphasis
on social equality and democracy.
18. Post Industrial Society
Economic emphasis
is on providing
services and
information rather
than on producing
goods through basic
manufacturing.
Daniel Bell suggested
5 features of this
society.
For the first time
majority of labor force
are employed in
services rather than in
agriculture or
manufacturing.
19. Daniel Bell cont.
White collar employment replaces much
blue collar work
Technical knowledge is the key organizing
feature in post industrial
Technological change is planned and
assessed.
Computer modeling is relied up in all
areas.
20. Contrasting Societies
According to Durkheim, pre-industrial societies
are held together by mechanical solidarity.
Mechanical Solidarity: mean that when people
share the same values and perform the same
tasks they become united in a common whole.
As the division of labor within societies becomes
more complex this gives way to organic solidarity.
Organic solidarity refers to impersonal social
relationships that arise with increased job
specialization in which individuals no longer provide
for all of their own needs and become dependent on
others for aspects of survival.
21. Contrasting Societies
Ferdinand Tonnies
studied the
differences between
simple and complex
societies.
He introduced the
ideas of
Gemeinschaft which
is the German word
for community and
Gesellschaft which if
the German word for
society.
22. Gemeinschaft
Most members know one another
Relationships are closer and activities
center on family and community.
People share a strong sense of solidarity.
A pre-industrial society or a rural village in
a more complex society are examples of
Gemeinschaft.
Tradition, kinship, intimate social
relationships
23. Gesellschaft
Based on need rather then on emotion
Relationships are impersonal and often
temporary.
Traditional values are weakened and
individuals goals are more important then
group goals= Competition
A modern urban society such as the U.S.
is a good example of this.
