SOCI 1251 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Microsociology, Macrosociology, Social Inequality
Document Summary
The i allows us to (cid:271)e (cid:862) o(cid:272)iologi(cid:272)all(cid:455) mi(cid:374)dful(cid:863) (cid:271)(cid:455): Seeing the social world as constructed rather than natural. Sociologists use empirical methods to try to answer questions about how society works. They may start with a hypothesis (deduction) or merely an open ended question (induction). Numerical and statistical analysis of quantifiable data. Non-numerical analysis of text, images, or other non quantifiable data. Small-scale patterns of social interaction between individuals. Large-scale patterns and social processes within institutions of social structures. Changes in quantity over time or space. How was this inequality created? (ie. how did it get this way?) Inequality touches the everyday lives and experiences of everyone in society. The answers may be hidden by those who benefit from us not knowing about them. It (cid:373)a(cid:455) (cid:373)ake us (cid:862)feel weird(cid:863) about ourselves, others, or society. A social problem is a condition or issue that groups and individuals define as harmful.
