Sociology

What is it? Formal definition: a social science which studies human society and recognizes fact patterns as the key to explaining and predicting human behavior. Informal definition: the study of group behavior and interaction.

How is it done? Sociology focuses on the group, not the individual It also focuses on society’s influence on you, rather than your free will/brain

2 Singers, 1 Song ANSWER THE FOLLOWING FOR EACH SONG: When do you think this song was performed? What adjectives would you use to describe the singer’s voice/tone/emotions etc. What do you believe is the singer’s race? AFTER LISTENING TO BOTH SONGS: 1. What event were both songs talking about? 2. What explains why the versions were so different?

Song #1 2012 Nostalgic, upbeat Sam Doores, Riley Downing & the Tumbleweeds. Sam Doores is a white musician from New Orleans.

Song #2 1968 Sad, angry, frustrated, hopeless, bleak, overwhelmed Abner Jay (1932-1993). Abner was an African-American descended from American slaves.

Sociological Perspective Definition: Looking at social life in a scientific way, which allows you to look beyond commonly held beliefs to the hidden meaning behind human actions. List 5 things a sociologist would be interested in (using his/her sociological imagination) at a PHS football game. List 5 things a sociologist would be interested in when looking around an emergency room.

PHS Football Game Races playing v. watching Ages of participants and those of fans Which ages are watching v. socializing Hair color of cheerleaders Who is eating? What are they eating? How are fans dressed – age, race, gender Who leads the cheers in the stands? How was he/she chosen? GPA of band v. players

Emergency Room Age, race, gender, and education level of doctors, nurses, orderlies, and patients Severity/type of injury – age, race, gender, wealth Emotional responses of patients – age, race, gender Reaction to doctors and nurses – age, race, gender Terminology used by doctors, nurses, and patients Communication styles between doctors, nurses, and patients

Sociological Imagination Definition: the ability to see personal experiences in the context of social forces. ADOPTING A SOCIOLOGICAL IMAGINATION IS THE GOAL OF THIS COURSE!

The Research Process 7 Steps Define the problem Review the literature Form a hypothesis Choose a research design – Develop a plan Collect the data Analyze the data Present conclusions

Emile Durkheim - Suicide STEP 1: DEFINE THE PROBLEM Durkheim wanted to study the effect of social integration on suicide rates among various groups of individuals. To do this, he had to find a way to make suicide and social integration measurable.

Emile Durkheim - Suicide STEP 2: REVIEWING THE LITERATURE Durkheim read literature of how other researchers explained the phenomenon. He also read available statistics. This allowed him to dismiss psychological explanations to focus on sociological ones.

Emile Durkheim - Suicide STEP 3: FORMING A HYPOTHESIS Durkheim hypothesized that suicide rates within groups vary inversely with the degree to which group members are integrated into society. What does that mean? The more family, religious, and community bonds group members have, the less likely they are to commit suicide.

Emile Durkheim - Suicide STEP 4: CHOOSING A RESEARCH DESIGN Research design = a plan for collecting, analyzing, and evaluating data. Durkheim analyzed official suicide records from various European nations.

Emile Durkheim - Suicide STEP 5: COLLECTING THE DATA Must be carefully and accurately recorded.

Emile Durkheim - Suicide STEP 6: ANALYZING THE DATA Durkheim found that rates differed for groups in society. Single people commit suicide more than married people with kids. Protestants commit suicide more than Catholics.

Emile Durkheim - Suicide STEP 7: PRESENT CONCLUSIONS Durkheim confirms that his hypothesis was correct, that suicide rates vary inversely with the degree of social integration. Sociologists then present their findings in professional journals, scholarly books, and at professional meetings.

5 Research Methods Survey Analysis of Existing Sources Questionnaires Interviews Analysis of Existing Sources Historical method Content analysis Observational Studies – Watch out for the guinea pig effect! Detached observation Participant observation Case Study Experiments Statistical Analysis