Particularly striking in this conception is the notion of inventory, which suggests multiple ontologies and the need to collate. The assumptions about the nature of the world in sociology can be classified into two broad orientations, realism and social constructivism. Realism posits the existence of an objective reality independent of human thoughts and beliefs. Contrary to this position, social constructionism is of the view that reality is not independent of human thoughts and beliefs; rather, it is socially constructed (Oxford dictionary of sociology, 552-553, 609). Berger and Luckmann (1967:15-22) argue that social relativity is inherent in reality and knowledge, hence, its collection is defined by social contexts imperative for sociological analysis.
Part 1 Describe the similarities and differences in the way identity is conceptualised by the psychosocial theory of identity and social identity theory This essay will look into some similarities and differences within two main identity theories. The psychosocial theory introduced by German psychoanalyst Erik Erikson (1902- 1994) and developed by an American psychologist James Marciaand, also Social Identity Theory introduced by European Jew Henri Tajfel (1919- 1982). Dorothy Miell, Ann Phoenix and Kerry Thomas, (2007) explain that the way we see and describe ourselves together with how we think others see us is a definition of identity. Identity is a very complex topic within psychology and has been studied in deep for many years. Psychosocial theory recognises personal and social element of identity however Erikson seen them as interlinked and treated them separately.
What contributed to the “crisis in social psychology” and what was the outcome? Social psychology is a blend between the discipline of psychology and sociology. Usually, within a psychological field a researcher would look at the individual; cognitions, emotions and attitudes, compared to a sociological perspective of people in groups or crowds; demography, the impact of society on them and social inequalities. Social psychology aims to combine these two, the relationship between the individual and society as a whole. Allport, in an attempt to define social psychology said it scientifically tried to explain the cognitions of the individual (for example behaviours) and how they are “influenced by the actual, imagined or implied presence of human beings” (Allport, 1954).
He uses Clyde Kuckhohn’s Mirror of Man, a work he believes is a good general introduction to anthropology, as a basis to describe his own view. He believes that Kluckhohns definition of culture as “the total way of life of a people”, is slightly constricted and does not represent the complete picture. He sees the concept of culture as predominately a semiotic one. Semiotic being the study of signs and sign processes. Geertz sees culture as “webs of significance” and the analysis of these webs.
Sociology differs from social psychology because sociology specifically looks at the different social behaviors and the surrounding influences at more of a broader view. Sociologists look at and their interests are with the institution and also the different cultures that influence how people behave. Psychologists or researchers use many different scientific methods to conduct their research in social psychology. Some examples of these methods are; descriptive research- shows what may already exist within a group.
Sociologists do not simply declare their beliefs indisputable truths – they do research to determine whether those beliefs are correct. Their investigations are rooted in the scientific method that distinguishes the sociological perspective from “commonsense” interpretations of the world. The sociological perspective emphasizes that people’s thoughts and action are strongly influenced by the groups to which they belong as well as by impinging social factors such as beliefs, values, practices and institutions. From birth to death individuals are imbedded within and influenced by groups and larger structures. As sociologists our main goal is to understand social situations and look for repeating patterns in society.
[citation needed] According to Jungian psychology, individuation is a process of psychological integration, having for its goal the development of the individual personality. "In general, it is the process by which individual beings are formed and differentiated [from other human beings]; in particular, it is the development of the psychological individual as a being distinct from the general, collective psychology. "[1] 'The symbols of the individuation process...mark its stages like milestones', prominent among them for Jungians being '"the shadow, the Wise Old Man...and lastly the anima in man and the animus in woman"'. [2] Thus 'there is often a movement from dealing with
This paper gives several responses to the idea of genetic or biological determinism from the viewpoint of sociology. Sociology, according to Abercrombie, is the “analysis of the structure of social relationships as constituted by social interaction” (Abercrombie, 2006 p.367), and thus provides a basis for the evaluation of such ideas and theories. Sociologists may argue that rather than genetics, social forces influence the way we act and interact within society. The structure/agency debate in sociology examines the extent to which human behaviour is determined by social
Turning back to the original formulation of this relationship by Husserl, we discover problems of transcendental intersubjectivity, of type and essence, and of objectivism. We then point out the existence of sociologies which do not share the shortcomings of what is called phenomenological sociology, yet which make use of the perspective and approach of phenomenology. We then focus on one of these sociologies, ethnomethodology in its relation to phenomenology. We find parallels in their methodology and domains of inquiry, and divergency in their approaches to intersubjectivity. There is increasing interest in something called "phenomenological sociology."
Sociology and the Family SOC101: Introduction to Sociology (GSP1114A) Instructor: Abstract Sociology is an area of study based on reality. Its observations and applications are founded in reality, and its theories have been derived out of various experiences of reality and now affect common perception of the same reality. The three main theories of sociology are the theories of Functionalism, Conflict Theory, and Interactionism. They give credibility to a different understanding of and toward the different sociological institutions that are in place. By understanding the concepts of the each theories a person can see how they can affect the social institution, such as the family, differently and can present a more much better understanding of the concepts as they apply to reality.