Sociology in Our Times The Essentials社会学在我们时代的精华.pptVIP

Sociology in Our Times: The Essentials Diana Kendall6th Edition Chapter 1 The Sociological Perspective and Research Methods Chapter Outline Putting Social Life into Perspective The Importance of a Global Sociological Imagination The Origins of Sociological Thinking The Development of Modern Sociology Contemporary Theoretical Perspectives Comparing Sociology with other Social Sciences Putting Social Life Into Perspective Sociology is the systematic study of human society and social interaction. Sociologists study societies and social interactions to develop theories of : How human behavior is shaped by group life. How group life is affected by individuals. Why Study Sociology? Helps us gain a better understanding of ourselves and our social world. Helps us see how behavior is shaped by the groups to which we belong and our society. Promotes understanding and tolerance by helping us look beyond personal experiences and gain insight into the larger world order. Society A society is a large social grouping that shares the same geographical territory and is subject to the same political authority and dominant cultural expectations, such as the United States, Mexico, or Nigeria. Fields That Use Social Science Research The Sociological Imagination The ability to see the relationship between individual experiences and the larger society. Distinguishes between personal troubles and social issues. Personal Troubles Personal troubles are private problems that affect individuals and the networks of people with which they associate regularly. Example: One person being unemployed or running up a high credit card debt could be identified as a personal trouble. Public Issues Public issues are problems that affect large numbers of people and require solutions at the societal level. Widespread unemployment and massive, nationwide consumer debt are examples of public issues. Overspending as a Personal Trouble People credit cards and spend more than they can afford, affectin