SOC 101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Auguste Comte, Social Forces, Symbolic Interactionism
Document Summary
The study of the connection between the individual and the social structure. Examines the underlying patterns in human behavior and our relationships with one another. C. wright mills (1959) coined the term the sociological imagination. An idea or practice that a group of people agree exists. Maintained over time by people taking its existence for granted. What people think and do are products of culture and history. The social processes through which children develop an awareness of social norms and values and achieve a distinct sense of self. Norms reflect divisions of power and class. Concepts that suggest to what extent an individual"s life is determined by social forces. Individuals have the capacity to deviate from patterns, to go against the odds. Social life is dynamic, it is constantly changing. Understanding the present relies on understanding the past. Sociology is rooted in questions about social change, social conflict and social problems. Scientific knowledge can be used to improve peoples lives.
