SOCA01H3 Study Guide - Anthony Giddens, Naimans, Order Theory
Document Summary
Sociologist analyse two levels of social structure that frame and influence human agency: Microstructures (patterns of intimate social relations formed during face-to face interaction) Macrostructures (overarching patterns of social relations in whole societies) Other sociologists also consider mesostrutures and global structure. Sociological imagination shows the connection between personal troubles and public issues. Social problems can only be addressed if this connection is understood. Naiman: personal troubles should be connected to issues of distal power. Theory: a tentative explanation of some aspect of social life stating how and why specific facts are connected. Research: the process of carefully observing social reality to test the validity of a theory. Value: ideas about desirability/worth of attributes, people, objects and processes. Value-free sociology is impossible, but a sociologist"s biases must be declared and minimized by rigorous research method (naiman). Feminism: what are the social sources of patriarchy in both macro and micro setting. Conscience collective (collective consciousness) exists in all societies.
