The Social Theory Of Sociology

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.

Throughout Peter Kivisto’s book Social Theory: Roots & Branches, he talks about the numerous different perspectives which essentially help distinguish our overall understanding of the contemporary

There was this girl who was studying 4th grade students. The teacher held an object and asked “what is this?” These students were shouting out answers. Some answered a “sail of a sailboat, A block, etc. “ These answers are correct and incorrect. The true answer was the answer that should be given now. The answer was a triangle.

After a careful study and a deeper research on an introduction to sociology, I have come to understand that no problem can be solved well enough if one does not have the sociological perspective which is defined as a way of looking at the world through a sociological lens. In fact, there is the need of the lens that will help one to view situations and have the eye to emerge through different views to solve that problem. This mirror has become a doorway that will help one to have a beginner’s mind to approach problems.

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),

Routinization is the way people go about doing something. It’s a method to organize chaos and when practiced it accomplishes the goal quickly and effectively. There are different methods used, but ultimately routinization produces the desired result.

The Sociocultural Lens is a group of theories and perspectives that are based on sociology and sociological theory. They focus on broader aspects of society and how these affect human behavior. The premise is that social workers need to understand individuals within their environmental context. C. Wright Mills asserted that most sociological theories reflect the sociological imagination, a term used to describe the relationship between an individual’s personal experiences and the wider society. Sociological models help social workers think more comprehensively and offer a more balanced approach to their work (Rogers, 2016).

Sociology 101 is a very insightful and beneficial class to anyone and everyone. The class bridges the gap between all the different cultures of the world by affirming the belief that although we can feel a world apart there are similarities that bring us together. These similarities, however, may not always be so positive. There were social issues I had known about before taking the class, such as human trafficking, sex exploitation, underage marriages but not to the degree at which I know after taking the class. It is hopeful to see there are groups who take action to help the victims. It taught me that although situations may seem dire, that if we just fight for what we believe in, social injustices can be overcome.

Sociology is the research and analysis of the human society; meaning sociologist examine why we behave the way we behave, what affects our behavior, and if ordinary things are more complex than they seem. When developing a sociological perspective it makes the “familiar strange” (Conley, 3). When someone is trying to think as a sociologist it is encouraged to question aspects in your life that you thought were normal, which conveniently can make you feel unsure about what lifestyle you are comfortable living in.  A sociological perspective is gained when you learn to think through a “sociological lense” that challenges your mind to new levels of thought (Godwin, Lecture). When in rhythm with your sociological mind you reflect on new personal

It is difficult to say when the idea of social theory came around because it is difficult to document such an event; it is not as simple as other firsts in the world. The earliest, one can say, is around the time of the Western philosophy came around with Plato and Herodotus among others and maybe even Confucius. The ideal behind social theory is that it is the framework used to study and interpret social phenomena throughout the world. However, there is a lot more to social theory, it also tries to relate to historical debates over generally accepted methodologies, and often they critique the ideological teachings and tradition beliefs. Social theories can also encompass political science, sociology, and even economics, and does not

The first of the three perspectives is the functionalist perspective. Their perspectives look at problems when they affect a community more than if they affect a single person. They define social problems as situations that do not accomplish what they are meant to accomplish or when a dysfunction occurs. Meaning that social problems are situations that are not what they are meant to be, or something wrong happens, also known as a dysfunction. A dysfunction is another term that means consequences of an activity that forbid a community or societies ability to survive as a community.

In todays society there is an abundance of social problems and one that is notable is illness and health care. This particular social problem has raised some attention among society. Individuals tend to analyze it from one of three perspectives. These three sociological theories/perspectives are the structural-functionalist perspective, the conflict perspective, and the symbolic interactionist perspective. Each has a different approach to the causes of this social problem.

Throughout history various social perspectives have been observed in an attempt to explain and classify different types of sociological behavior. Various theories have been made regarding the sociological perspective, which examines the social contexts that people live in and how these contexts effect the individual and society (Henslin 2). Each sociological perspective examines something different and poses a different theory. Discussed here are three sociological perspectives: the functionalist perspective, the conflict perspective and the feminist perspective. All three perspectives are forms of social institutions or the ways that a society meets its basic needs (Henslin 104).

What is Sociology and who was the founder of Sociology? When and how did Sociology emerge as a field of study?

This general synopsis carried forward lays the foundations to summarise the remaining fields of study. Sociology is a science concerned with societal problems and an engulfing study of individuals, groups, conventions and “environments”(Elias, 1978). A sociological environment for example, is