Page 30 - Introduction To Sociology

22 Chapter 1 | An Introduction to Sociology
sociological imagination: the ability to understand how your own past relates to that of other people, as well as to history in general and societal structures in particular
sociology: the systematic study of society and social interaction
symbolic interactionism: a theoretical perspective through which scholars examine the relationship of individuals
within their society by studying their communication (language and symbols) theory: a proposed explanation about social interactions or society
verstehen: a German word that means to understand in a deep way
Section Summary
1.1 What Is Sociology?
Sociology is the systematic study of society and social interaction. In order to carry out their studies, sociologists identify cultural patterns and social forces and determine how they affect individuals and groups. They also develop ways to apply their findings to the real world.
1.2 The History of Sociology
Sociology was developed as a way to study and try to understand the changes to society brought on by the Industrial Revolution in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Some of the earliest sociologists thought that societies and individuals’ roles in society could be studied using the same scientific methodologies that were used in the natural sciences, while others believed that is was impossible to predict human behavior scientifically, and still others debated the value of such predictions. Those perspectives continue to be represented within sociology today.
1.3 Theoretical Perspectives
Sociologists develop theories to explain social events, interactions, and patterns. A theory is a proposed explanation of those social interactions. Theories have different scales. Macro-level theories, such as structural functionalism and conflict theory, attempt to explain how societies operate as a whole. Micro-level theories, such as symbolic interactionism, focus on interactions between individuals.
1.4 Why Study Sociology?
Studying sociology is beneficial both for the individual and for society. By studying sociology people learn how to think critically about social issues and problems that confront our society. The study of sociology enriches students’ lives and prepares them for careers in an increasingly diverse world. Society benefits because people with sociological training are better prepared to make informed decisions about social issues and take effective action to deal with them.
Section Quiz
1.1 What Is Sociology?
1. Which of the following best describes sociology as a subject?
a. The study of individual behavior
b. The study of cultures
c. The study of society and social interaction
d. The study of economics
2. C. Wright Mills once said that sociologists need to develop a sociological __________ to study how society affects individuals.
a. culture
b. imagination c. method
d. tool
3. A sociologist defines society as a group of people who reside in a defined area, share a culture, and who: a. interact
b. work in the same industry
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