SOC 101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: The Sociological Imagination, Scientific Method, Human Behavior
Document Summary
Sociology is the (scientific) study of society and human behavior. Society refers to social systems and structures created by human beings during the process of (meaningful) social interactions. Social systems and structures include: communities, work environments, social spheres, or social institutions such as families, schools, economic or political institutions. Human behavior results from individuals or groups: interacting (meaningfully) with each other, giving (shared) meaning to their actions and social experiences (this is what the process of socialization is about) Other social sciences include anthropology, economics, political science, and psychology. Like other sciences, sociology uses the scientific method (borrowed from physical or natural sciences) to study and analyze human behavior and actions. The sociological imagination, based on sociological perspective or it is particular aspect of sociological imagination: Allows individuals to see themselves linked to society. Looks at individual"s social location/position (income, education, gender, age, etc) Helps us understand aspects or reality, global and local. European social observers natural philosophers (social thinkers)
