1. SOCIOLOGY Chapter 1: The Sociological Point of View
Section 1: Examining Social Life

2. Chapter Objectives
Examine the nature of sociological inquiry or research
Understand the research done during the early years of sociology
List and explain the current theoretical perspectives of Sociology

3. Background We live in a complex social environment
Our view of the world is shaped by our
daily lives
Values
Beliefs
Life styles
Historic events
Our friends
Our families
All these factors help to mold us into the individuals we are today… we are different from one another, but many of us share the same perceptions and characteristics

4. What is Sociology
It is the science that studies human society and social behavior
Sociologist are
mainly interested in social interaction: how people relate to one another and influence one another’s behavior
Always focusing on the group rather than on the individual
They examine the social phenomenon which is the observable fact of event

6. The Sociological Perspective
Sociologists look at everyday events in different ways to look beyond common held beliefs to the hidden messages behind human actions
Our behavior is the result of social factors and that we have learned our behavior from others

7. By adopting a sociological perspective, we can
Increase our sense of what is possible
See beyond our day to day world
Think and act in different ways
Help us find an acceptable balance between our personal desires and demands of our social environment

8. How Sociology helps us
We can gain insight into how our social environment shapes us and we can in turn shape our environment
The ability to see the connection between the larger world and our personal lives is what is known as sociological imagination
this was termed by C. Wright Mills

9. Sociological Imagination
“ The sociological imagination, I remind you, in considerable part consists of the capacity to shift from one perspective to another, and in the process to built up an adequate view of a total society and of its components. It is this imagination, of course, that sets off the social scientist from the mere technician.” C. Wright Mills

10. What it does!
It enables the sociologist to see the broad social issues behind individual problems while appreciating that those broad social issues affect the lives of individuals
Social issues
Individual lives

11. For example!
Scenario: Bob, middle-aged man, unemployed for the last year
Sociological imagination moves the sociologist beyond their concern for Bob’s unemployed status to see the social phenomenon of unemployment that affects way more than just Bob!

12. It gives people the ability to see the connections between the larger world and their personal problems. SITUATION A: A 15 year old high school student becomes pregnant by her 16 year old boyfriend.

13. Describe some of the social consequences for the following people or groups:
The pregnant student
The girl’s boyfriend
The parents of the girl
The parents of the boy
School officials
Society as a whole

14. SITUATION B:
A 17 year old high school student is caught under the influence of drugs at school.

15. Describe some of the social consequences for the following people or groups:
The student using drugs
The student’s classmates
The parents of the student on drugs
School officials
Society as a whole

16. Sociology’s Place in the Social Sciences
All related disciplines that study various aspects of human social behavior are called the social sciences
They include:

17. #1 Anthropology
Comparative study of various aspects of past and present cultures and is the closest to sociology

18. #2 Psychology
Study that deals with the behavior and thinking of organisms
Focuses on individual behavior rather than on group behavior
Areas of interest are: personality, perception, motivation, learning

19. #3 Social Psychology
Study of how an individual’s behavior and psychology are affected by the social environment

20. #4 Economics
Study of the choices people make in an effort to satisfy wants and needs
Examine:
Process by which goods and services are produced, distributed, and consumed
Effects of government policies on economic growth and stability

21. #5 Political Science
Examines the organization and operation of governments
Areas of mutual interest with sociology include:
Voting patterns, concentration of political power, formation of politically based groups

22. #6 History Study of past events
Sociologists are interested in past events in an effort to explain current social behaviors and attitudes

23. Social Sciences Merge
Over time, the divisions between the social sciences have become less distinct and borrow freely from one another in order to better understand the social forces that shape our lives

24. How Sociology Affects You!
Think about how your life is influenced by the values, beliefs, lifestyles, historic events, and experiences of those around you
Ex: impact of technology on your life is sociological
Ex: impact of Internet on your life is sociological
Ex: impact of crime on your life is sociological