Transcript What is sociological imagination?

Do Now: Write down focus in your notebook:
Sociology is a behavioral science that looks a
human behavior in groups. Sociologists must
maintain objectivity, perspective and
imagination.
Sociology does not involve making judgments
based on personal bias, but on proven evidence
that is often the opposite of what we expect.
Stereotypes and Observations
What is the difference between
Maybrook, Walden, Montgomery
Comparisons
Maybrook
• More sports and activities
• Low income demographic
without new housing
• Losing youth programs due
to a lower amount of
children of certain ages
• Senior Housing
Walden
• Lot of Pizza Places and
Chinese Restaurants
• Drugs – Crack
• Illegal activity
• Income demographic raised
due to new high income
housing
• Crime increasing
• Low education level
Compare
Village of Montgomery
• Historic
• Higher income
• Tourism
• Higher education level
• Drug activity – high end
drugs
• Parks carefully patrolled and
curfew
Town of Newburgh
• Commercial places
• Trailer Parks
• Places like Golds Gym and
Commercial places due to
proximity to I-84.
• Drugs – Crack
• Illegal activity
• Income demographic raised
due to new high income
housing
Compare
Village of Montgomery
• Historic
• Higher income
• Tourism
• Higher education level
• Drug activity – high end
drugs
• Parks carefully patrolled and
curfew
Town of Newburgh
• Commercial places
• Trailer Parks
• Places like Golds Gym and
Commercial places due to
proximity to I-84.
• Drugs – Crack
• Illegal activity
• Income demographic raised
due to new high income
housing
What is Sociology?
Sociology
Study of human
behavior in groups
What people do?
Why they do it?
Sociologists use
the Scientific
Method to study
Politics, race, location,
gender, culture,
socioeconomic issues,
etc
All interact with each
other – causing group
behavior
What is a
Sociological Perspective?
Studying groups
without attributing your
own opinions or values
Sociology seeks to see
how society “is”, not
what it should be
What is your sociological identity?
The collection of group memberships
that determine your identity
How many groups make up your social
identity?
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Male or female
Sister, brother, child
Employee
Student
Boy/Girl Scout
Italian ancestry
African
American/Latino/Asian
American/Caucasion
• Boyfriend/girlfriend
• Someone with a
disability
• A survivor of a disease,
traumatic incident, loss
of family member
• Volunteer
• Athlete
• Artist, etc.
Does the quantity of social ties affect the quality of social ties?
(Does having more acquaintances harm or help close friendships?)
Is inequality inherited?
(Do people raised in poverty go on to different jobs than those who
were raised with wealth?)
Does working hard guarantee success?
(Does working hard determine quality of life or do issues like illness,
disabilities, economics, geographic location limit success?)
What is racism?
A questions
about ideas that
is answered by
other ideas
Moral Question
Theoretical Question
Empirical
Questions
Can be
answered by
gathering facts
Different from
other types of
questions
Should there be
racism?
Empirical Question
What kind of Questions do Sociologists
Use?
A question that
asks you to make
a value judgment
Does racism exist
in society?
A question that
can be answered
with
observations and
investigation
Sociology is a Science –using observations
and research can provide data that can be
measured
What do sociologists look at?
• CAUSE=Direct result of an action/issue/event
• CORRELATION= Related to action/issue/event
but not necessarily a cause. Ex. You have more
of a probability of dying if you go to the
hospital.
What is a Sociological Imagination?
The ability to
see a
connection
Between you
And the larger
world
View the world through other’s eyes
Look beyond commonly held beliefs to hidden meanings
• Politics, race, gender, economics, religion, psychology, anthropology, cultural
studies, gender studies, etc.
• All interact with each other.
• Studying one in isolation misses important information on how social groups
work
Do Now: Sociological Imagination
• In sociology we often deal with assumptions
and hold off on making judgments until
evidence proves other wise.
• In reality, this can sometimes not be the best
course of action. Our common sense or
(emotional intelligence) comes into play.
Summary
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What is Sociology?
What is sociological identity
What kinds of questions are there?
How do sociologists measure society?
What is sociological perspective?
What is sociological imagination?
In what areas do sociologists work?
What content areas do sociologists look at
and why?
Pop Culture – what defines our
culture?
• Two 100 year old best
friends
Two 85 year old best
friends.
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