Sociology and Anthropology Both sociologists and cultural anthropologists use similar research methods to support their scientific theories. Some examples of their research methods include historical research data, experiments, observation, surveys, interviews and comparative data. Sociologists study human societies and their social interactions in order to gain understanding of social situations and behaviors and to predict what will occur in the future (Tischler, 2007, Chapter 1). Cultural anthropologists research the inner workings and relationships among people within a society to better understand how and why people deal with challenges and live the way they do (Haviland, Prins, Walrath, & McBride, 2008). Sociological Research Methods Sociologists search to find repeating patterns within a society in order to better understand social phenomena, situations and social relations (Tischler, 2007, Chapter 1).
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. What are the Sociological theories? Functionalism, the Conflict Theory, and Interactionism comprise the three main sociological theories. These theories affect the way people think and perceive the world around them. As a result, the development, nature and understanding of different social institutions, including the family, health-care systems, religion, education, media, politics and economy, are determined or affected by these three social theories.
Firstly, “individuals can question the structure of their society, its essential components and their relation”[3]. Secondly, they enquire their “society’s standing in history and its meaning for humanity’s development”[4]. Finally, they specifically “analyse the varieties of men and women that prevailed in the society and period”[5]. Individuals can also view that events which affect them personally are also major social issues. This distinction is an essential tool to the sociological imagination[6].
There are two major aspects in regards to the sociological perspective, the first being interaction between social structure and an individual and the idea of two levels of analysis. When it comes to the interaction of social structure and the individual, sociologists tend to concentrate not so much on the characteristics of an individuals behavior but rather on the precedents that are collective amongst individuals in regards to society and groups around them. The key to grasping sociology comes from the inevitability and repetition, which are seen in customary social behaviors throughout society and individuals. Social structures are socially embodied in the actions, thoughts, beliefs, and long-lasting temperaments of individual human beings. The typical being often has a
Social psychologist observe human behavior and significance of influence by outside sources such as people, society, environment, and culture. Social psychologist focus on facts that underline human behavior in social settings and how individuals’ conduct him or herself under various conditions, thus, leading to behavior, actions, and feelings. According to Mcleod (2007), “Topics examined in social psychology include: the self-concept, social cognition, attribution theory, social influence, group processes, prejudice and discrimination, interpersonal processes, aggression, attitudes and stereotypes” (para. 3). Social Psychology
Sociologists study and give analysis of all types of social phenomena and from different levels and different perspectives. They range in giving concrete interpretations to making sweeping generalisations of society and social behavior. Sociologists study everything from specific events the micro level of analysis of small social patterns to the “big picture” the macro level of analysis of large social patterns. Research is about collecting information that informs us about the question we first asked. In scientific research this is called a hypothesis.
Sociology is a social science that seeks to understand complexities of human society. Sociological theories are ideas that seek to explain how society works. There is a wide range of sociological theories in terms of their priorities, perspectives and the data that exist or encompass the endless ways of viewing reality. In order to determine the nature of man, to be outside the knowledge of his experience, ambition, qualifications of values refer to the community in which he grew up and is shaped. The impact on the personality of the individual, it has the characteristics of participation in the life of the community.
Social Psychology Definition Paper February 3rd, 2013 Psy/400 Adrian Fletcher Axia Campus University of Phoenix Social Psychology Definition Paper Social psychology is a study in which a researcher or psychologist studies individuals in their social context and is also a discipline that uses scientific methods. Social psychologist’s look at or study many social topics, some of these topics include; social perception, group behavior, conformity, leadership, prejudice, and aggression. Social psychology is not only about looking at social influences, it is also about social perception and social interaction which needs to be understood first before one is able to understand social psychology completely. Social psychology is very important to us because it allows us to study how individuals will act in different social situations. For instance; we are able to learn how stereotypes are formed, why there is racism, and also how a person’s behavior changes in different types of situations.
It is the ability to grasp a knowledge of the intimate aspects of ourselves and how this relates to the societal intimate aspects. Sociological imagination is the ability to identify how different stimuli or environmental social forces have an effect on people individually, and how that effect added altogether plays a role in society to better understand behaviour in humans as a whole. 2. Sociological Imagination is a crucial aspect in today's society to further understand it's members and the many public issues that a society possesses. In some cases, it is the potential resolution to social problems that can be found in any given society in any given time period.
This essay will explain how the sociological imagination aspect works in society. It will define ‘sociological imagination’ and discuss how it can be applied to possible cases. It will also define ‘critical thinking’, ‘de-familiarizing’ and the ‘general in particular’ with particular cases to show its understanding of how these terms work in society. Sociological imagination is what C. Wright Mills defined as a “process whereby you link individual experiences with social institutions and one's place in history. In this perspective, people who are in poverty could link their personal situation to the social forces relevant to their present circumstance” (Macionis and Plummer, 2008: 11-12).