Sociology 101 Class Notes
Chapter 1. The Sociological Perspective & Research Process
Chapter Outline
Contemporary Theoretical Perspectives
The Sociological Research Process
Research Methods
Ethical Issues in Sociological Research
Why Study Sociology? (p. 4)
Helps us gain a better understanding of ourselves and our social world.
Helps us see how behavior is shaped by the groups to which we belong and our society.
Promotes understanding and tolerance by helping us look beyond personal experiences and gain insight into the larger world order.
The “So What and Who Cares” Factor
Sociologists study what has happened, what patterns can be observed and what social factors may have contributed to the existing social condition.
The discipline of Sociology also studies who cares and who is affected by the social condition right now.
Putting Sociological Life into Perspective
Sociology is the systematic study of human society and social interaction.
Sociologists study societies and social interactions to develop theories about:
How behavior is shaped by group life
How group life is affected by individuals
A society is a large social grouping that shares the same geographical territory and is subject to the same political authority and dominant cultural expectations
Are We A Product of Our Environment
The sociological perspective says that we are a product of the socialization we receive in our culture. Family is the primary agent of socialization in this life long process.
Fields That Use Social Science Research
Sociological Imagination (p. 5)
The sociological imagination? - C. Wright Mills’s term for the ability to see the relationship between individual experiences and the larger society.
(1) What is the structure of this particular society as a whole?
(2) Where does this society stand in human history?
(3) What varieties of men and women now prevail in this society and in this period? And what varieties are coming to prevail?
Suicide (p. 6)
As a
Chapter Outline
Contemporary Theoretical Perspectives
The Sociological Research Process
Research Methods
Ethical Issues in Sociological Research
Why Study Sociology? (p. 4)
Helps us gain a better understanding of ourselves and our social world.
Helps us see how behavior is shaped by the groups to which we belong and our society.
Promotes understanding and tolerance by helping us look beyond personal experiences and gain insight into the larger world order.
The “So What and Who Cares” Factor
Sociologists study what has happened, what patterns can be observed and what social factors may have contributed to the existing social condition.
The discipline of Sociology also studies who cares and who is affected by the social condition right now.
Putting Sociological Life into Perspective
Sociology is the systematic study of human society and social interaction.
Sociologists study societies and social interactions to develop theories about:
How behavior is shaped by group life
How group life is affected by individuals
A society is a large social grouping that shares the same geographical territory and is subject to the same political authority and dominant cultural expectations
Are We A Product of Our Environment
The sociological perspective says that we are a product of the socialization we receive in our culture. Family is the primary agent of socialization in this life long process.
Fields That Use Social Science Research
Sociological Imagination (p. 5)
The sociological imagination? - C. Wright Mills’s term for the ability to see the relationship between individual experiences and the larger society.
(1) What is the structure of this particular society as a whole?
(2) Where does this society stand in human history?
(3) What varieties of men and women now prevail in this society and in this period? And what varieties are coming to prevail?
Suicide (p. 6)
As a