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Importance of sociological theory in social research
Importance of sociological theory in social research
Jane addams contribution to sociology
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Sociological theories are sets of ideas that have been combined and tested to clarify and expand our understanding of people, society, and their behaviors. Often these theories are limited by our awareness (or lack thereof) of the relationship between our personal perspective and the experience of society as a whole. With the advanced use of data collected through sociological theory, our future as a society is as limitless as our imagination, rather than our sociological imagination. This concept is quite evident in the work of theorists such as Herbert Spencer and Jane Addams, both of whom have made lasting contributions to the field of sociology. Herbert Spencer (1820-1903) is known as a Structural Functionalist, believing that society is made up of stable, connected parts, with each part contributing to keep society working properly and with the members of those parts deciding what is or isn't morally acceptable. This macro-level theory became quite popular after Spencer championed it during his lifetime. It naturally follows that his major …show more content…
Its obvious how both Herbert Spencer and Jane Addams derived their social theories, it seems much more likely for society to prosper when aligned with the approach Addams pioneered. At the core of this concept, perhaps, is a personal repulsion to the concept of survival of the fittest when applied to our society. I don't believe that “be able-bodied and productive or die off” is a relevant method of societal evolution. With this as a basic theory, we would lose some of our most brilliant thinkers, such as Stephen Hawking. Without further reading it is impossible to determine if Spencer allowed his own life experiences to limit his interpretations of society and color his social theories; it is clear, though, that he worked diligently to approach the field from a scientific perspective. I wonder, though, to what degree his life influenced his
Jane Elliott’s research falls into the sociological school of thought of inclusionism. With inclusionism, sociologists study the experiences of various ethnic groups in order to recognize the ethnic diversity within societies. Inclusionism addresses many problems related to discrimination, the end goal is to create an equal and diverse society where all races and ethnic groups feel comfortable and safe.
Sumner was very influenced with the Spencer’s ideas. He was unclear about the Spencer’s ideas about creating a systematic science of society after his graduation. However, Spencer’s proposals aided Sumner’s ini...
The idea of Social Darwinism influenced Americans, especially during early 1920’s. The idea of the survival of the fittest is showing that the body is more important to fit in society. Also, the physical fitness is considered as the key of success and a way to fit in society, if someone is not physically fit he will be isolated. The movie “College” (1927) by Buster Keaton, presents the idea of physical culture in college life and how fitness is a key of success which leads efficiency in society.
According to sociologist C. Wright Mills the “Sociological Imagination is the ability to see connections between our personal experience and the larger forces of history” (Connelly, 5). In other words, a person must be able to pull away from the situation and think from an alternative point of view. Sometimes we are not the primary contributors to the problems we have. Sometimes the problems we have are structural
Sociology cannot be clearly explained as there are many different theories and theorists; so far none of them have been defined as a correct answer. Although with all this information of theories and theorists sociology is relatively explained as agreed philosophies that delivers a reason for human society. Sociological theories are like most other theories, they are selective, and there is no quantity of theory to explain everything or define the infinite amount of information that exist or comprehend the methods of observing reality. Sociological theories vary and can be linked to each other according to various criteria. The two main perspectives of sociology are the micro sociological approach and the macro sociological approach. The micro sociological approach is based more on the persons being capable of their own independent thoughts feelings and behaviour; therefor society is built through their interactions amongst each other and the significances they attach to them. This approach is defined using Social Action Theory and Symbolic Interactionism. The Macro Sociological approach is on a much bigger scale and consists of a person being born into a current society which will then shape their behaviour. It centres on the organisations, values and the culture of that particular society and how it impacts an individual and their role in life. This approach is made clearer using Functionalism, Feminist and Conflict Theories.
...aust. He saw his race as superior because of its ability to concur not its strength to survive. Herbert Spencer also believed that human advancement was taking from, or destroying other less advanced human races. Examples of this are the colonisation of Australia and India by the British in which they had no problem treating the people of these countries in a bad way. Colonial Britain could justify this racism with Social Darwinism on the basis that they had the power to take over therefore had the right. These ideas were popular in the west in the 19th century because it was a time of much colonisation and Social Darwinism justified the mistreatment of others. Social Darwinism was basically an excuse for racism and although based very roughly around Darwin’s Origin of Species it was used putting the person writing as the superior subject, never in a scientific way.
The term Sociological Imagination was coined by C. Wright Mills and refers to seeing sociological situations from a broad point of view, going beyond one’s thoughts and feelings, and by seeing how others would see it. In the textbook Introduction to Sociology by Giddens, et al. Al Mills argued that we needed to “overcome our limited perspective. [and have] a certain quality of mind that makes it possible to understand the larger meaning of our experiences” (4). Therefore, one should look at the overall social problems and not at a specific individual’s situation.
Social Darwinism was one of the most powerful movements in the nineteenth century Germany, believes professor Jerry Bergman. As the movement escalated, Jews became non-human to the Germans. That was one of the reasons the Nazis did not feel any remorse at the time, because they had deprived the Jews of every piece of humanity that they obtained. Social Darwinism was first brought up by British philosopher and sociologist, Herbert Spencer. Social Darwinism goes back to the earliest form, which is Darwinism. Because social Darwinism and Darwinism have similar name, people think they are the same concept, but they are two completely different theories. Social Darwinism was a way to classify the “fit” from the “unfit.” Darwinism, on the other hand, was the way species evolve through time to become more adapt to their environment. Through history, social Darwinism has appeared repeatedly. For example social Darwinism was used in the progressive and imperialism era. Social Darwinism in the holocaust differs from social Darwinism in the Progressive era or the imperialism era, by the ways that people reacted to the situations. Social Darwinism in the holocaust gave scientific justification to the actions of the Nazis (Bergman). Spencer’s theory of social Darwinism, encouraged and pushed the Nazis on subjects such as: stereotyping that led to the Jews to be acknowledged as a race, eugenics, racial supremacy, and the superior race taking out the weaker races.
This is the foundation of the Sociological Imagination Concept. According to C. Wright Mills, sociological imagination is developed when we can place personal problems in a social situation or environment such that they are no longer viewed solely as individual or personal problems, but instead as social problems. That is problems that are shared by enough peop...
The Sociological Imagination speaks to the understanding of our own actions being a part of a larger historical and social picture. It encourages us to see what influences we have and what influences society has over our own individual lives, whether our decisions are determined by sociological factors and forces or are entirely in our own control. The sociological imagination enables us to see the relationship between history and biography. It helps us to understand the relationship between personal troubles and public issues, and as well as this, it addresses the three profound questions that C. Wright Mills asked. The three videos given, offer a range of successful and unsuccessful insight and explanations about the sociological
Theories in sociology sometime provide us with the different perspectives with which to view our social...
Sociology is a social science that enables people to understand the structure and dynamics of society. By using a scientific approach, and by critically analysing society using qualitative and quantitative methods, sociologists can find patterns and connections within human behaviour to provide explanations of how society affects people. Sociological views are based on theories that have been tested through unbiased research and attempt to take all values into account. Common sense theories are generally individualistic and naturalistic assumptions that are based on opinions than can vary depending on an individuals class or cultural background. During this essay I will aim to provide examples of the differences between the sociological viewpoint, and the common sense viewpoint of human behaviour, using theories of some renowned sociologists.
The discipline of sociology provides a perspective that allows for individuals to expand and dig beyond “common knowledge” and inherit an approach to society that allows an advanced analysis of the root cause of activity in a certain society, opposed to assessing it on an assumption. A beneficial component to sociology is that it can be individually directed to different components of society that all contribute to its overall functioning. Under a sociological perspective we can use an engaged approach that once applied to social issues can improve the functioning of societies on both local and global scales that are considered complex, degrading, or facing considerable amounts of neglect. When we take into consideration the environment and
Sociology is a study of society social life, social change, and social causes and consequences of human behaviour and allows us to gain an understanding of the structure and dynamics of today’s society, looking at the interlinking links patterns of human behaviour. Sociology looks at the in which social structure and institutions affect our everyday life. Sociological imagination was founded by C. Wright mills in the 1950`s it is an overall understanding of that some of the things that happen in society may lead to a particular outcome. Mills said it is “the vivid awareness of the relationship between experience and wider society.” sociological imagination can also be defined as the ability to look at how sociological situations can unfold due to how everyone is different. The way we behave is shaped by the situation that we find ourselves in, the values and norms that we have and the way that other members of society act around us. It is also a way of thinking about how things in society have led to a particular outcome, and understanding of what led to that specific outcome. Sociological imagination is an ability to look at things socially and how they interact and influence each other gaining an understanding of different cultures and class systems.
Social Darwinism is the application of Darwin’s teachings outside of science, such as in biology, philosophy, religion, and politics, among other fields. While this connection may not seem to be applicable, the concepts of Darwinism can be found in many areas of society. As a result, social Darwinism has had a significant impact on the development of Western civilization simply because the concepts of Darwinism can be applied to society in the ways they can