Sociological And Common Sense Understanding - 1341 Words

Introduction to Sociology Throughout this essay, I will explain the distinction between sociological and common sense understanding, highlight the differences between sociology and other social sciences, and evaluate two sociological perspectives – Marxism and feminism. Sociology is the scientific study of human society. It examines the development of social structures, and the interaction between these structures and human behaviour. Sociologists aim to provide tools of understanding the process of socialisation, and investigate the causes and consequences of things such as labels, belief systems, bureaucracy, gender roles, relationships, and inequality. Becker and Horowitz (1972) claimed that good sociology is sociological work that†¦show more content†¦Common sense just accepts knowledge of human behaviour without evidence or explanation, whereas sociology will test common sense ideas to determine whether there is scientific truth in them. Pierre Bourdieu (1998), claimed that the function of sociology, as of every science, is to reveal that which is hidden . Other sciences that are often compared with sociology include psychology, biology and journalism. Walter Bowers Pillsbury (1911) described psychology as the science of human behaviour . This indicates a significant similarity between psychology and sociology. However, sociology focuses on group dynamics and the collective behaviour of society, whereas psychology mainly focuses on the behaviour of people as individuals. Psychologists aim to gain understanding of the mind, and the affect the mind has on individual behaviour. Sociologists research topics such as social stratification, hate crimes, addictions, and injustice, always focusing on the issues of society as a whole. Psychologists, on the other hand, research the cognitive processes behind the issues. They explore emotions, dreams and memories, and seek explanations for these in order to improve the mental well-being of an individual. As already discussed, sociology is the science of social behaviour. Biology, however, is the science of life (Bagley 2014). This refers to observable, physical components of the human body, such as cells, tissues, and organs. Biology isShow MoreRelated Common Sense vs Sociological Sense Essay1574 Words   |  7 Pagesconclusion that sociology is merely, ‘the study of the obvious’ and the application of common sense, this statement could not be further from the truth. Common sense derives from statements such as, ‘opposites attract’, however the Sociological sense takes this belief and carries out numerous tests to discover whether it is fact, or fiction. Bauman regards common sense knowledge and common sense understandings as powerful social mechanisms which can fundamentally shape attitudes about the worldRead MoreTheoretical Frameworks Of Sociology And Sociological Perspective Essay918 Words   |  4 Pagesand how they study it. In this essay, I will be discussing theoretical frameworks of sociology; what is sociological perspective, how sociology differs from other disciplines such as history, anthropology or psychology, and how are sociological paradigms are used as ‘tools of the sociologist’ in their analyses of human societies. Firstly, what is sociological perspective? The sociological perspective is the point of view on human behaviour and how society influences people, and vice versa. TypicallyRead MoreSociological Perspective On Understanding Human Society915 Words   |  4 PagesEvaluate the Sociological Approach to understanding Human Society Explanation of common sense and sociological approaches to the study of Human Societies, with examples. Common sense is subjective as it’s based on opinion and belief; these personal interpretations generate norms in a society that a culture becomes accustomed to, so much so that they barely notice them. It is the basic level of knowledge and judgement that we all share; which we take for granted as a real and true. Common sense tries toRead MoreThe Sociological Imagination And Common Sense1648 Words   |  7 PagesThe Sociological Imagination was a term that was first coined by sociologist C. Wright Mills. It could be said that definition of The Sociological Imagination is having the ability to look beyond personal experience and realise that society is shaped by the cross over between biography and history. 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Mills saidRead MoreBriefly Outline the Distinctive Features of the Sociological Approach to Understanding Human Life and the Illustrate How You Would Use Sociology to Make Sense of Globalisation.1554 Words   |  7 Pagesdevelopment of the understanding of the human life. The aim of this essay is to outline the sociological approach to understanding human life , to explore the different sociological perspectives , to question the reliability of the different forms of research and to emphasise the k ey elements that make sociology different to other ways of exploring the human life. Finally I shall be illustrating its approach with regards to my biography. Peter Berger distinctive approach to understanding human life wasRead MoreWhat Is Sociology?1062 Words   |  5 Pageslistings of facts and figures about society. Instead it becomes a form of consciousness a way of thinking, a critical way of seeing the social. Seeing the general in the particular. In his short book ‘Invitation to Sociology’(1963) characterized the sociological perspective as seeing the general in the particular. He meant that sociologists can identify general patterns of social life by looking at concrete specific examples of social life. While acknowledging that each individual is unique, in otherRead MoreAnalysis Of Dalton Conley s You May Ask Yourself 1267 Words   |  6 Pagesbook, You May Ask Yourself, defines sociological imagination as, â€Å"The ability to connect the most basic, intimate aspects of an individual’s life to seemingly impersonal and remote historical forces† (Conley 2015, pg. A-11). Sociological Imagination is the idea of being able to step outside of the box, and evaluate society from an alternative point of view. Symbolic Interactionism, norms, socialization, and the idea of understanding yourself vs. understanding the social aspect of society, are someRead MoreSymbolic Interactionism Theory and the Ground of Routine Activities: Ethnomethodology as Portrayed by Harold Garfinkel and Herbert Blumer681 Words   |  3 Pagesactivities, ethnomethodology as portrayed by Harold Garfinkel and Herbert Blumer. Harold confers on ethnomethodology as a way through which people make sense and find ways in which to act in their daily routine activities. He considers the various settings, which dictate stable features of daily activities. First, he considers that there has to exist common familiar variables such as familiar household and suggested that these variable remain insignificant in his study. From these variables, a set of considerationsRead MoreSociological Imagination, Social Construction Of Reality And Socialization902 Words   |  4 PagesThe foundational concepts of sociological imagination, social construction of reality and socialization help us learn more about ourselves and the world. Sociological imagination is the way in which individuals realize the connection between their own experience of reality and the experiences of society as a whole. This realization allows people to make sense of the world around them. When one applies sociological imagination, they are stripping their own personal experiences from their thoughts