What is a sociological perspective?

Question

I kind of know what it means, but I'm kind of confused. I have to write a paper on sociological perspective presented in a book and I don't know how to start it.

Answer 1

The sociological perspective is a particular way of approaching a phenomenon common in sociology. It involves maintaining objectivity, not by divesting oneself of values, but by critically evaluating and testing ideas, and accepting what may be surprising or even displeasing based on the evidence. The sociological perspective often assumes that “official” explanations are incomplete or self-serving. It involves a conscious effort to go beyond the obvious and question what is accepted as true or common sense. This is important because common-sense assumptions are usually based on very limited observation. Moreover, the premises on which common-sense assumptions are based are seldom examined. While sociological research might confirm common-sense observation, its broader observation base and theoretical rational provide a stronger basis for conclusions.

The sociological perspective helps us to see general social patterns in the behaviour of particular individuals and offers insights about the social world that extend far beyond explanations that rely on individual quirks and personalities. Essential to the sociological perspective is the sociological imagination. This term, attributed to C. Wright Mills, means “...the vivid awareness of the relationship between experience and the wider society.” It means going beyond the individual and understanding how structural forces shape individuals and their action.

The sociological perspective, as a broad way of approaching phenomena, is different from a sociological paradigm, which is a specific set of assumptions that frame a sociologist's theories and findings.

Answer 2

Sociological perspective:  How we view things.  Several sociological perspectives exist.  A few examples.

When I think of sociological perspective, C. Wright Mills comes to mind first.  The "Sociological Imagination" describes a sociological mindset in regards to being able to connect individual experiences and societal relationships.

There is also Durkheim's "Suicide" studies showing suicide as a functional part of societal integration.  He believed that individuals influence our behavior.

Groups take on characteristics independent of their members (the whole is greater than the sum of its parts).

Sociologists also focus on behavioral patterns of groups (difference based on race, s*x, age, class, etc.).

There's also Cooley's "Looking glass self" in which an individual gains identity through how they are perceived by society.

Answer 3

Sociological perspective is the view of society(i know i'm  defining it with the same word, but it's easier for you to get this way)... SeS..Social economic Status or mid class, upper class, lower class,.... It's the functions of society on a individual,culture, business, government.... When you think of society, you should be thinking in terms of media,word of mouth, racism,propaganda,family, businesses,government, structure, anything on the outside that can influence you. That's what sociology is... outside influence on something or someone.... how does the stock market effect you... how does gas prices effect you... it's all apart of sociology...  That  being said....your sociology perspective is the view on how outside forces affect something or someone..

Answer 4

A sociological perspective is looking at something from a social angle. For example, if you wanted to look at teen alcoholism from a sociological perspective, you would focus on the school that the teen attends, the friends he associates with, his after-school activities, the parents he was raised by, etc. You would not, however, focus on the fact that he was born bipolar and suffers from dyslexia. Those would be psychological factors. A sociological perspective focuses on outside factors. Psychologists would argue the point that the boy suffers from alcoholism because of his chemical inbalance and the depression he has been suffering from as he tries to overcome his dyslexia. Socoilogists would argue the point that his father's addiction problems, and the fact that his friends invite him to house parties on the weekends are the reasons why he has developed the addiction.

Answer 5

the perspective is to understand the culture of the land and how you wold be if you grew up there you start by studying the culture and forgetting yours to place yourself in their envioment while forgetting yours like if you were raised in a culture where murder was an acceptable practice you would see no big deal in it but first you would have to forget what you've been taught where you are or you would say that's crazy as a scientist you cant do that you have to look at things cold and clear from what you have learned not how you was raised