SociologyStudy of human relationships

– Greek LOGUS meaning study– Latin SOCIUS meaning relationship

SociologyWhat is it?

– Sociology is a science– Science is divided into two branches

Natural Science– Physical phenomena

Social Science– Broad spectrum of human behavior

SociologyThe Social Sciences:

– Psychology: individual behavior– Social Psychology: an individual within a

group– Economics: production, distribution,

consumption of goods & services– History: Chronological study of events

Conducting Research

Sociologists believe that cause-and-effect relationships prevail in the universe. They assume that under identical conditions the same cause will always produce the same effect.

Sociologists do not believe that crime, racism, marriage and inequality simply “happen”. No such thing as fate.

Conducting Research

Variable: something that influences (or is influenced by) something else.– Race, sex, age, religion, socioeconomic

standingIndependent Variable: variable that causes

an effect (The Cause)Dependent Variable: variable that is affected

(The Issue)

Conducting Research

Hypothesis: an educated guess that can be tested to determine its validity.– Issue: Abuse of children/spouses?– I.V. : Upbringing, alcohol/drug abuse, lack of

punishment– D.V. : Domestic Violence