Search for:. The Sociological Perspective. Studying Sociology Sociological studies range from the analysis of conversations and behaviors to the development of theories in order to understand how the world works. Learning Objectives Identify ways in which sociology is applied in the real world. Key Takeaways Key Points Sociology uses both quantitative and qualitative methods to study both face-to-face human social interactions and large scale social trends.
Sociology uses empirical and critical analysis methods to study human social interaction. Sociology includes both macrosociology and microsociology; microsociology examines the study of people in face-to-face interactions, and macrosociology involves the study of widespread social processes. Key Terms sociology : The study of society, human social interaction, and the rules and processes that bind and separate people, not only as individuals, but as members of associations, groups, and institutions quantitative : Of a measurement based on some quantity or number rather than on some quality.
The Sociological Imagination The sociological imagination is the ability to situate personal troubles within an informed framework of larger social processes. Learning Objectives Discuss C. Key Takeaways Key Points Because they tried to understand the larger processes that were affecting their own personal experience of the world, it might be said that the founders of sociology, like Marx, Weber, and Durkheim, exercised what C.
Wright Mills later called the sociological imagination. Wright Mills, a prominent midth century American sociologist, described the sociological imagination as the ability to situate personal troubles and life trajectories within an informed framework of larger social processes.
Other scholars after Mills have employed the phrase more generally, as the type of insight offered by sociology and its relevance in daily life. Another way of describing sociological imagination is the understanding that social outcomes are shaped by social context, actors, and social actions.
Key Terms the sociological imagination : Coined by C. Wright Mills, the sociological imagination is the ability to situate personal troubles and life trajectories within an informed framework of larger social processes. Sociology and Science Early sociological studies were thought to be similar to the natural sciences due to their use of empiricism and the scientific method.
Key Takeaways Key Points Early sociological approaches were primarily positivist—they treated sensory data as the sole source of authentic knowledge, and they tried to predict human behavior.
Max Weber and Wilhelm Dilthey introduced the idea of verstehen , which is an attempt to understand and interpret meanings behind social behavior. The difference between positivism and verstehen has often been understood as the difference between quantitative and qualitative sociology. Quantitative sociology seeks to answer a question using numerical analysis of patterns, while qualitative sociology seeks to arrive at deeper a understanding based on how people talk about and interpret their actions.
Key Terms positivism : A doctrine that states that the only authentic knowledge is scientific knowledge, and that such knowledge can only come from positive affirmation of theories through strict scientific method, refusing every form of metaphysics.
Sociology and the Social Sciences As a social science, sociology explores the application of scientific methods to the study of the human aspects of the world. Learning Objectives Analyze the similarities and differences between the social sciences. Key Takeaways Key Points In the 17th century, scholars began to define the natural world as a reality separate from human or spiritual reality.
As such, they thought the natural world should be studied using scientific and empirical methods. The pressure to discover mathematical relationships between objects of study carried into the study of human behavior, thus distinguishing social sciences from the humanities.
By the 19th century, scholars began studying human behavior from a scientific perspective in an attempt to discover law-like properties of human interaction.
Key Terms humanities : The humanities are academic disciplines that study the human condition, using methods that are primarily analytical, critical, or speculative, as distinguished from the mainly empirical approaches of the natural sciences.
The Sociological Approach The sociological approach goes beyond everyday common sense by using systematic methods of empirical observation and theorization. Pending your individual tastes, intellectual curiosity, and career goals, you might find one field better suited to you than the other. But what are the most important differences? What kind of careers in sociology and psychology can you find, and how can you make an informed decision when choosing?
Understanding the nuanced differences between the two can help. Psychology is the study of mental processes and behavior. It answers questions about what people do and understanding why — such as, the mental processes behind their behavior. Psychology is oriented towards understanding the individual and how the individual relates to the group. By contrast, sociology is a study of systems and society.
It investigates macro-level issues like poverty, food deserts, and unemployment. How do these structures behave within society, and what perpetuates them? Sociology studies the anthill; psychology studies the ants.
But what does that mean in practice? And what kind of theories, skills, or ideas would you learn in each degree? Sociology looks past individual differences to examine societies through a variety of group associations, including social class, religion, age, gender, sexuality, race, and more. The U. They also study how interactions between people can affect a wide range of issues, such as romantic attraction, friendship, and conflict. They may examine whether a person behaves a certain way due to their personality or environment, why certain social groups experience high levels of conflict, or what makes a couple more likely to stay together.
Leveraging both basic and applied research methods in their study, social psychologists conduct research on individuals and social groups. A researcher might explore what causes us to fall in love, or what inspires people to build friendships or enter into conflicts. Applied research tends to focus on a specific niche of human life, such as business, health, or education. Social psychologists can employ the insights gained from research to improve an aspect of life. For example, a professional in this field might design a program to help reduce conflict in the classroom.
Pay can vary with education, location, and industry. Both sociology and social psychology are fields of study that examine aspects of human behavior, such as how humans think and behave in different situations and times. With a graduate-level education, these experts can conduct research or teach in higher education. Although there are similarities between sociology and social psychology, there are notable differences, too.
The differences between sociology and social psychology have largely to do with the focus of their study and research and the educational paths required. Sociologists focus on society as a whole or large groups within society. They study patterns of behavior and how they shape the world around us. In contrast, social psychologists focus on individuals and how social factors impact behavior.
For example, a sociologist may study the spending patterns of an entire population during a recession, whereas a social psychologist might examine how an individual handles stress, anxiety, or mental health during that same time of economic decline. A traditional program prepares students to pursue a PhD. Your psychology degree could lead to a career in human services. Or, you could become a mental health counselor or school psychologist.
Your coursework might include classes on race and ethnicity, medical institutions, globalization, and social problems. As a sociology graduate, you will have a flexible degree that could lead to a career as a policy analyst or a social services consultant. You might work in the criminal justice field or public health. Or, you might pursue advanced studies and become a researcher or university professor. Whichever field you choose, you can expect to take courses in statistics, research methods and behavioral analysis.
While there are distinct differences between psychology and sociology, there are striking similarities as well. And while both professions go about their business in distinctive ways, psychology and sociology majors develop a broad range of transferrable skills, such as:.
0コメント