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Examining Social Life

Marr Jett Torralba

Sociology fifth edition

W. LaVerne Thomas

HOLT, RINEHEART AND WINSTON

Harcourt Brace and Company

Austin, New York, Orlando, Atlanta, San Francisco, Boston, Dallas, Toronto, London


Our view of the world is shaped by our daily lives. The values, beliefs, life-styles and experiences of those around us, as well as historic events, help to mold us into unique individuals who have varied outlooks on social reality. The fact that we do not all view things in exactly the same way is what gives society it's rich diversity. At the same time, however all of us in society. Share many of the same perceptions and characteristics.


Sociology is the science that studies human society and social behavior. Consequently, sociologist tend to focus in the group rather that in the individual. Sociologist do this by examining social phenomena. A social phenomenon is an observable fact or event.



The Sociological Perspective


The Sociological perspective helps us see that we are social beings. It tells us that our behavior is the result of social factors and that we have learned our behavior from others. By using sociological perspective, we can look at ourselves and the world more objectively to research areas of great importance in our own lives. The Sociological perspective can help us broaden our view of the social world. It tells us that there are many different perceptions of social reality. We can see beyond our own day to day world by viewing the world through other's eyes.

Sociology also can help us find an acceptable balance between our personal desires and the demands of our social environment. If we always do what we want to do, we are likely to conflict with others great deal of the time. On the other hand, if we always do what others demand us, we will not grow very much as individuals. A knowledge of sociology can help us decide the most acceptable reasons between these two points.


Sociology also can help us view our own lives within a larger social and historical context. It can give us insights into how our social environment shapes us and how we in turn can shape our environment. This is the ability to see the connection between the larger world and our personal lives is what C. Wright Mills termed the Sociological imagination. According to him, all good sociologist and students of society posses such imagination.



For more information about this topic you can visit. Mill's book "The Sociologist Imagination"


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