In its most simplistic form, phenomenology is the study of phenomena. In other words, phenomenology focuses on the appearance of things as they appear in our individual experience, and even the ways in which we experience particular things (Aspers 2009). Phenomenological methods incorporate the subjective view of experience, i.e. the first-person point of view. Humans are described as conscious thinking beings and phenomenology argues that the only way we can confirm the existence of a phenomenon is through the way we consciously perceive our surroundings (Heidegger, as cited by Aspers 2009).
Sociological methodology implies that the notion of sociology is indeed a science. Empirical phenomenology and ethnomethodology aim to describe, “how people perceive and think about things, although this is central to the phenomenological approach” (Aspers 2009, p. 6). Social scientific analysis seeks understanding and explanations (Aspers 2009). According to Aspers (2009, p.4), “if we are to understand the social world and meet the demands of phenomenology, we must produce explanations that are grounded in the subjective experiences of real people.” Therefore, it is a social scientist’s job to understand why particular things happen and how these incidents occur (Aspers 2009) whilst taking into account the subjective relationship to these phenomena.
Phenomenology has greatly influenced sociology, as it is a philosophical method of knowing and understanding the nature of reality.
Even though one person may feel that they have shared the same experience as another and they may feel that they know what the other person felt in their situation, this does not necessarily mean that the other person would agree.
Sociology is defined as ‘The study of human social life, groups and societies’ (Giddens, 1989). It involves describing and analysing how different forces such as social, cultural, political, and economic have on behaviour and an individuals identity. (Van Kreiken et al.2000). Furthermore, it encompasses the complex connections on a micro level along with those on a macro level thus enabling sociological imagination.
Before commencing a discussion on analyzing the article “What makes sociology a different discipline” from the other sciences we should have the know-how about sociology. In the words of modern thinkers of sociology namely Karl Marx, Max Weber and Emile Durkheim “Social fact should be the subject matter for the study of social life and can provide explanations for human thinking and behavior (p19)”. What we infer from the above definition is that man is born as a social animal. Man cannot live alone. He prefers to live in groups and his behavior that is actions and deeds are well governed and regulated by certain rules and laws of conduct that comprises of moral ethics and civic standards. His standard of living is said to be within the
Everyone in the world has a theory about why something happens or how it happens, but in sociology there are many different types of theories that often contradict each other. Theory is defined as “a statement of how and why specific facts are related” (Macionis, 2013). Most theories explain why people act in certain ways and explains why a person in a group may act different than someone that is alone. When building sociological theories most sociologist ask their selves two different questions: “What issues should we study?” and “How should we connect the facts?” (Macionis, 2013). By answering these questions the sociologist is led to a road map, or a theoretical approach. Theoretical approach is described as “a basic image of society that
The history of how society came about is very old but short, only emerging during the 19th century. Therefore, it is one of the youngest as well as one of the oldest of the social sciences. According to the American Sociological Association sociology is the study of social life, social change, and the social causes and consequences of human behavior. Sociologists investigate the structure of groups, organizations, and societies, and how people interact within these contexts. In comparison to other majors, sociology has a broad scope with relevance to research, theory, and application of knowledge. Sociology provides many distinctive perspectives on the world, generating new ideas and critiquing the old. Because sociology addresses the most
After reviewing the article titles given for this first assignment, I believe they indicate that Sociology, generally speaking, is not only a study of diversity or commonality in traits among people; it is also a science about factors in a person’s life and how these factors culminate responses. Interestingly enough, its topics of concern seem to be directly determined by current and common events of the world. Through the invention and expansion of new ideas, popular trends and fashions through time, Sociology adapts to responsibly to service the very subjects of interest it studies; for, even the slightest change of a person’s daily experience can have an insurmountable impact on attitude, personal growth, family
Perceived view can be seen as the opposite of received view. In perceived view, also known as interpretive views, phenomenology and constructivism are two major characteristics. Phenomenology can be described as “emphasis of the appearance of things and not things themselves, each individual experience is unique, and can have multiple interpretations of reality” (Bargagliotti, n.d.). Overall, this means that people can have different interpretations of a same experience.
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
A key part of engaging in sociology is to adopt a sociological viewpoint or 'think sociologically'. Etymologically, sociology is the 'study of society' but this doesn't differentiate sociology from other forms of social study. Hence, many begin to describe thinking sociologically by what it is not - it is not thinking politically, thinking anthropologically, thinking historically or thinking psychologically, for example (Berger 1966: 11-36; Reiss 1968: 2-3). Others try to determine the nature of sociological thinking by detailing practical phenomena which can be thought about such as social systems and their subsystems, social institutions and social structure, and social aggregates, relationships, groups and organisations (Reiss 1968: 1),
By explaining the humanistic perspective proposed by him, the author convincingly demonstrates that sociology is more than its methods, such as surveying, or its theories. There are many sociological theories, but they all are part of the fundamental vision of all processes as the effects of human interactions. Berger (1963) often refers to his own experience of being a sociologist, and this adds reliability to his arguments. Also, despite beginning the book in a light and humorous manner, the author further turns to complicated scientific notions and perspectives; this shows his expertise and makes the book’s major thesis more persuasive.
Sociology is the study of groups and individuals and the cause and effects of each, to each other, and overall society. ‘Sociology is a technical and difficult subject and that its value to public discussion lies in this very complexity and difficulty (2005:407-408)’ (Braham 2013:125), it is due to this that the definition of sociology between academics is not definitively defined, as each view sociology and society as various different things. As (The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill [online]) states, Sociology is diverse, and under the subject lies and micro and macro topics, which range from culture and race to crime or social issues. It is through this, however, that we are able to understand societies and individuals, especially when character is called into question, as it enables sociologists to analyze their personal lives, and their lives in society to completely be able to judge them and their behavior. This is increasingly important among criminals, as we are able to retrieve information surrounding them that would not have been evident when simply studying the crime. This is further supported by the view by (Mills, 2000:7) who
In Neil Postman’s short essay, “Social Science as Moral Theology,” he describes the social sciences, such as sociology and psychology, not as sciences, but rather as “moral theology” and as “storytelling.” The authors of the textbook Sociology the Essentials would dispute these claims by arguing that social scientists are doing science with their work. In the third chapter labeled, “Doing Sociological Research” there is a section called “The Tools of Sociological Research” that goes into detail of all the different ways sociologists can gather research.
Sociology is a social science that enables people to understand the structure and dynamics of society. By using a scientific approach, and by critically analysing society using qualitative and quantitative methods, sociologists can find patterns and connections within human behaviour to provide explanations of how society affects people. Sociological views are based on theories that have been tested through unbiased research and attempt to take all values into account. Common sense theories are generally individualistic and naturalistic assumptions that are based on opinions than can vary depending on an individuals
The Cognitive Perspective: This is a way to explain how an individual’s thoughts and explanations have a profound effect on their actions feelings
Sociology is a social science that seeks to explain human social activity. It focuses on the political, economic, educational and religious structures within societies and analyses the ways in which they develop and function. Robbins (2003) points out that sociological research into the development and functions of work structures within societies, and especially the way these have affected the behaviour of individuals and groups in these societies, has been extremely important in the development of organisational behaviour.