In his opinion this is due to people having different interpretations of what exactly it is depending on the view they look at it from (e.g. the governments definition of social work may vary slightly to that of a member of the public). Taking into account the numerous definitions of social work, I personally believe that social work is about assessing clients needs, providing them with support/guidance/advice they need and empowering them so that they, in time, are able to help themselves. I believe that although the definitions of
Deviance is a social issue that has plagued all societies from the beginning of time and the sociologists’ attempts to comprehend why individuals take part in deviant behavior is still undergo. However, one theory’s explanation of deviant behavior can put things in perspective: Differential Association Theory. Through this theory is becomes obvious that the phrase “people, places, and things” has relevance. Disregarding any possible biological or personality influences Differential Association Theory explains that we learn from our encounters with others. Also, the mass media plays a significant role in shaping our opinions and what we accept as normal or deviant behavior.
The cultural aspect of the sociological imagination involves the “learned ideas, values, knowledge, rules and customs shared by members of a collectivity” (Holmes et al, 2003, pg 11). Culture in the sociological imagination allows the comprehension of why people hold certain ideas and values, and follows certain rules and customs. The critical aspect of the sociological imagination stipulates the initiative to analyze. Although it is, by human nature, to assume the meaning of actions carried out by people, C. Wright Mills claims that assumptions are not enough. Through assumptions, many things are taken for granted and the true meaning is not revealed.
Sociologists carry out their research from a number of theoretical perspectives, and depending on the views they adopt they will have different ideas about the nature of social problems and know how to solve them. Early positivist and functionalist sociologists, such as Comte and Durkheim, would argue that sociology was a science and would discover both the cause of social problems and scientifically based solutions to them. Both positivist and functionalists see social policies beneficial to society as a whole, and contribute to it running smoothly. For example, educational policies help to promote equal opportunity and reduce class boundaries. However Marxists would argue that social problems such as underachievement are simply aspects of a wider structure of class inequality, and unlike functionalists, they do not see the state and its policies beneficial to all members of society.
Browne once said "sociological perspectives centre on how much freedom or control the individual had to influence society" He goes on to comment on the two main approaches "structuralism is concerned with the overall structure of society and the way social institutions act as a constraint, or limit and control individual behaviour". Structuralism offers a view of the individual being controlled by the society they live in, Marx and Durkheim are similar in that they can both be described as structuralists, however their individual ideas are somewhat different. Functionalism was developed by Emile Durkheim, he believed like Comte that sociology should be viewed as a precise science and that society should be studied objectively. Durkheim placed an enormous amount of emphasis on social facts which he saw as ways of acting, thinking or feeling that are external to individuals and have their own reality outside the lives and perceptions of individual people. This is known as the macro approach, which places a great emphasis on the structure of society and how an individual operates with that society.
Without consciously thinking about this, people limit their rights to express human nature in order to be accepted into society. By expressing human nature, some individuals are looked upon as strange or different from the rest of the world. Certain factors are examined as the world looks at the difference between human nature and what is acceptable behavior in society. Decisions are given to people every day and how the person acts upon those decisions is their own free will. It is a person's psychological and social qualities that characterize humankind, especially in contrast with other living things (Collins; 2009).
The objective of this essay is to consider the relationship between sociology, science and common sense, before unpacking the phenomenon surrounding these three schools of thought. It will begin by defining the three concepts and use empirical as well as theoretical evidence to illuminate their relationship as argued by Parker (2003) and Wright-Mills (1970). Although this essay will be based mainly on the arguments of the two above mentioned sociologists, it will also look at a few arguments by other well-known sociologists. Sociology, science and common sense share the same focus of concern, pertaining to people’s life experiences and understanding of their surroundings. Giddens (2009 p.6) defined sociology as ‘‘the scientific study of human life, social groups, whole societies and the human world as such’’.
Why study Socioloy Why study Sociology Studying sociology is an important subject and skill for any student to learn. To know and understand the teachings of sociology and how it can impact our everyday lives can make each of us better understand each other and become better people overall. This paper will discuss how sociology plays a part in a career in Graphic Arts, the importance of sociology in our personal lives, and why it is a good idea for students to study sociology. In the professional field of Graphic Arts an artist will be working with many people with different backgrounds and beliefs than their own. Knowing sociology will help a graphic artist in their career by teaching them that not everyone has the same visions, beliefs, and opinions as everyone else.
There is increasing interest in something called "phenomenological sociology." If this interest is to be sustained, indeed if this sub-discipline is to contribute to our knowledge of the social world, we must become clear on what phenomenological sociology is and can become. At present serious problems exist in the writings of many sociologists who have contributed to, and implicitly defined, this approach to sociology. In general, they display only a metaphorical understanding of phenomenology as a philosophy and as a set of methods. In addition, and partly as a result, they fail to understand the relationship between sociology and phenomenology.
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.