Download THE STUDY OF SOCIOLOGY

SOCIOLOGICAL FINDINGS
VERSUS COMMON SENSE
TRUE/FALSE
• The earnings of U.S. women have just about
caught up with those of U.S. men.
• When faced with a natural disaster such as floods
and earthquakes, people panic and social
organization disintergrates.
• Revolutions are more likely to occur when
conditions remain bad than when they are
improving.
• Most people on welfare are lazy and looking for
a handout. They could work if they wanted to.
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Compared to men, women touch each other more
while they are talking to one another
Compared to women, men maintain more eye
contact while they are conversing.
The more available alcohol is, the more alcoholrelated injuries and fatalities occur in the U.S.
highways.
Couples who live together before they marry
usually report higher satisfaction with their
marriages than couples who do not live together
before they marry.
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The reason that people discriminate
against minorities is prejudice;
unprejudiced people don’t discriminate.
Students in Japan are under such intense
pressure to do well in school that their
suicide rate is about double that of U.S.
students.
Defining Sociology
• Sociology is the scientific study of human
social life, groups, and society.
– Maintains a group focus.
– Emphasizes patterned social relationships
between members.
– Uses social factors to explain human social
behavior.
Sociologists Focus…
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On the group, not the individual.
On patterns of social behavior.
On social forces that encourage conformity.
On the effects people have on social
structure.
Benefits of Sociology
• Provides a vision of social life that extends
beyond one’s limited personal experience.
• Research contributes to public policies and
programs.
• Enhances the development of occupational
skills.
SOCIOLOGICAL
PERSPECTIVE
Sociological perspective:
• opens a window onto unfamiliar worlds and
offers a fresh look at familiar worlds.
• gain a new vision of social life.
• asks, how are people influenced by their
society- a group of people who share a
culture and a territory.