SOCIOLOGY•Defined by many as scientific Defined by many as scientific

study of social interaction, study of social interaction, but Whitlock’s definition is _?but Whitlock’s definition is _?

___?__.___?__.

The scientific study of group The scientific study of group human behaviorhuman behavior

Salary Survey Report for Degree: Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Sociology

• Premise leads to questions– Why did I join that group?– How do groups develop?– How are new members brought into the group?– How does interaction of members affect the group?– How do groups respond to conflict?

OBJECTIVES• Enable people to live intelligently

in social world• To deal with social problems they encounter, especially

conflict and social change.

Two Major Approaches to Examining Social Life

Micro Individuals Social interaction

Macro Large social

systems Structures

Social Sciences:

Anthropology: past and present culturesPsychology: mind and the individual’s behaviorSociology: study of group human behaviorEconomics: study of choices people make to satisfy their wants & needsPolitical Science: study of governmentHistory: study of past events

Social InstitutionsSocial Institutions• As social practices As social practices

of groups become of groups become familiar, accepted familiar, accepted and expected they and expected they become become institutionsinstitutions

• Refers to Refers to organized organized practices practices and and relationshipsrelationships of of society, rather than society, rather than to to physical placesphysical places......

Nature of Social Reality

• Whole greater than sum of parts

• Exists independently of people

• Society has its own reality

• 1 + 1 = 3

Development of Sociology• Response to changes in peoples’ lives between

1790 & 1920• Industrial/Scientific/Intellectual Revolution

• Religious Enlightenment• Society moved from cottage, rural society to

industrial, urban society– Growth of Cities/problems it created

(SOCIAL PROBLEMS)– Housing, crime, relationships,– Led to American and French Revolution