1. What is Sociology?
Unit 1

2. Quick write What is Sociology? Give this your best shot.
What do you think it is?
What do you think you will learn in this class?

3. Textbook definition
Sociology is the science that deals with the investigation and analysis of human relationships, and seeks explanations of their causes and consequences

4. Assumptions Begins with idea that man is a social being
Dependent for their development on other people, social organization, etc.

5. Assumptions We are social in at least FOUR ways Behavior is learned
1. We are socialized, not instinctive beings
Behavior is learned
Survival is instinctual

6. four ways 2. Humans are social actors
We are constantly acting for others
We want to impress, influence and communicate

7. 3. As people act towards each other, patterns are formed
Four Ways
3. As people act towards each other, patterns are formed
Over time these patterns become important and influence what we do
Groups, sociology, and organization are patterns that influence behavior

8. 4. We depend on others for survival
Four ways
4. We depend on others for survival
From the time we are born, physical and emotional needs are met through others

9. Perspective and Goals
Attempt to understand the world and our place in it
Sociology is one approach, one set of glasses, one perspective
Fresh look at old familiar subject: Man and Society

10. Perspectives and Goals
Not focus on personality as cause of behavior
Instead, seek to show that humans are influenced by their location in groups, their positions in society, their roles
Ex: understand people’s behavior as students, or how actions change as daughters and sons at home

11. Perspectives and goals
Attempt to understand what we do because of social nature
Focus on groups and individuals’ location in groups
Serves by giving government, students, teachers, ministers, businessmen, and revolutionaries generalizations and objective info about society

12. Sociology is not social work
Sociology does not seek to change or reform individuals or society
Seeks to understand society, be objective and think critically about everything
Gather information to use for research
Sociologists are influenced by time and culture

13. Table Talk
Why do the assumptions have to be made by sociologists to study sociology?
What are the FOUR characteristics that relate to man as a social animal?