Sociology: Problems and Perspectives PDF

# Sociology: Problems and Perspectives ## Chapter 1: Sociology: Problems and Perspectives - We live in a world full of change, marked by the possibility of nuclear war and modern technology's destructive impact on the environment. - It is also a world full of promise and change. - We have the ab...

# Sociology: Problems and Perspectives ## Chapter 1: Sociology: Problems and Perspectives - We live in a world full of change, marked by the possibility of nuclear war and modern technology's destructive impact on the environment. - It is also a world full of promise and change. - We have the ability to control our future, and to shape our lives. - **Sociology** studies the social, human, and individual lives of groups, focusing on social behavior. - It is an extensive field of study, from brief encounters on the street to global social processes. ### What Are Some Examples Of What Sociology Studies? #### Love and Marriage - Why do people fall in love and get married? - The idea of romantic love is relatively new. - Historically, people married for reasons beyond love, such as perpetuating titles and property. - In the Middle Ages, love was considered a weakness or even a disease. - Romantic love emerged in courtly circles with extramarital affairs among aristocrats. The upper classes had separate bedrooms and servants, so their relationship was distant. - The role of kinship in choosing mates was quite common. #### Health and Illness - Why do people fall ill? - Our concept of illness is a modern concept. Some societies believe illness and death stem from witchcraft rather than physical causes. - Factors that contribute to illness and risk of death are directly related to social characteristics, such as economic opportunities. - Social roles often play a part in how we behave when sick. #### Crime and Punishment - What is the story behind punishment? - The public spectacle of punishment, such as public executions, was commonplace. - Execution methods were designed to maximize suffering. - The rise of incarceration developed as part of a larger trend to discipline and contain people in a society that was rapidly industrializing and urbanizing. - This resulted in a change in the way society views punishment: its focus shifted toward rehabilitation and punishment, rather than public displays of cruelty and violence. ### The Nature Of Sociology - The individual is shaped by and shapes society. - It's important to understand the impact of our social context. - Social life is complex and nuanced. ### The Changing World - The world has transformed drastically in the past 200 years. - Most people now live in urban areas and work in urban production. - Changes are happening on a micro level as well, such as how people view love, crime, and punishment. ### Sociology and Common Sense - Many "common sense" beliefs about the world are not true. - Societal values constantly change and evolve. #### Examples Of Common Sense Misconceptions 1. Romantic love is universal and the basis of marriage. 2. Health is based on biology, not social factors. 3. Family life has deteriorated. 4. Suicide rates are fairly consistent across the world. 5. Most people are materialistic and will acquire wealth if possible. 6. War is a natural part of human existence. 7. Technology will rapidly transform work and create a shorter work week. ### Sociological Questions - **Factual:** How do things work in a given society? - **Comparative:** How do different societies compare? - **Developmental:** How have things changed over time? - **Theoretical:** Why do things happen the way they do? ### Theoretical Questions - Develop theories to help us understand the cause of various occurrences. ### The Consequences Of Action - Actions have predictable and unpredictable outcomes. - Individuals are often unaware of the full consequences of their behavior. ### Structure and Action - The social context has a structure, meaning there are patterns to interaction. - Societies are constantly being re-created through interaction. ### Developing A Sociological Imagination - Be able to see the world from a sociological perspective. - Understand how individual actions are shaped by and shape society. - Ask questions about your world. ### Sociology and the Social Order - Social structures, such as social groups, institutions, and laws, shape the ways we interact and our beliefs. ### Sociology as a Science - Sociology is a science in that it uses systematic methods, theory, and evidence to study the world. - However, the study of people is different from the study of the natural world, because humans are self-aware and actions have meaning. - Sociology is a social science, but it is a distinct discipline. #### The Role Of The Sociologist - To be objective in our research. - To bring about positive social change. ### The Practical Importance of Sociology 1. To understand social issues. 2. To raise awareness of cultural difference. 3. To evaluate the success or failure of policies. 4. To improve our self-understanding. ### Part Two: Culture, Individual, and Social Interaction - This part of the book covers: - Culture - The individual and how they are shaped by culture - The process of socialization - Social interaction