Sociology (Essay Sample)

Sociology
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1 Introduction to sociology
Sociology can simply be defined as the study of the social relationship among human. The subject matter for sociology differs from one point to another and is a diverse matter at large ranging from religion to crime. Its diversity can range from that of division of race as well as social class to the most common shared beliefs either cultural or political. The reason behind the study of Sociology is to try and understand how human consciousness and actions can both influence the immediate cultural and social environment. Sociology tries to explain some of the most relevant matters in our day to day life be it our personal life or life at large in a given community. At personal level, sociology looks at the social reasons and causes of things like love, racial & gender identity, religious faith, deviant behavior and many more. When it comes to societal level, sociology explains in details matters like poverty and wealth, prejudice and discrimination, business firms, poverty and wealth and social movements. When we take a broad look at global level, it is through sociology that human can study different phenomena like population growth, economic development, migration and war. If we can know how to predict and control phenomena like population growth via sociology, we can as well be able to manage and predict the social, economic and political life of the community at large. The cultural beliefs that each and every community holds will on the other hand ensure that we live to appreciate each other’s differences and learn to accommodate each other.( Schaefer, R. T., & Lamm, R. P. 1992)
2 Benefits of the sociological perspective
There are four common advantages of using sociological perspective and these are as follows:
* We can use sociology to challenge ourselves of the familiar understanding about ourselves and others at large. This will result into establishing the real truth about some commonly held assumptions. One real example of an assumption which is there is the belief that heaven or hell is for real. Through sociology we will be in a position to study some religious as well as cultural beliefs that can lead us to the exact conclusion that we needed to establish.
* Another benefit is that it puts us in a position capable of identifying opportunities together with the constraints that are aligned to hinder us from realizing the benefits behind the opportunity. Sociology will enlighten the scope of viewing the environment and in the result showing us the available chances and opportunities that are currently at our exposal. Once the opportunities are exploited well and put into use, it will be a benefit to the entire community. For example, it can make us realize that fishing can be used as an income generating activity to a community that borders a water board.
* It makes us realize that we are actually very active members of the entire world population through the knowledge it gives us on sociological imagination. The capability to understand the inter relationship between our personal life and the surrounding societal forces.
* It also puts human kind in a position to realize and recognize the different human diversity and learn to understand the obstacles and challenges of living and surviving in a diverse world. With the diversity of the different parts of the world, we come to realize some symbols are interpreted differently in different parts of the world. A good example of this is like from the Zodiac sign which has a different definition in different parts of the world. Another example that can be used is language. There are several different languages in the world but despite the language in use, if we can live together respecting and accommodating each other’s difference then our social status of life will improve since economically will be working together as one and encouraging one another towards achieving our goals.
3 Sociological Values
In sociology studies, the term value is used to refer to a group of desirable conceptions. Sociological values such as humility, honesty and many other sociological values are important in ensuring peaceful coexistence of human beings. Nevertheless, the sociological values can be taken in four different aspects. .( Schaefer, R. T., & Lamm, R. P. 1992)
These are:
* Value at different levels of abstraction or generality
* Explicit and implicit varying degrees of values
* Hierarchically arranged values
* Values often in contradiction to another
The sociological values that we are expected to embrace are values such as humility, honesty, truthful and many other positive values. These values will increase our social respect and always ensure that we are living in the right environment. Positive cultural values that relate us to the roots of our origin should be apprehended and not shunned away. The sense of having a cultural belief has also played a part in improving the social way of interacting with people from different walks of life.
Positive economical values such as equitable distribution of resources are the values that should be promoted so as to make sure economical targets are met and as a result improve the economic status ...