Section 1: What is Sociology?

Question 1

Sociology

Answer 1

the scientific study of human societies, social institutions, and social relationships; specifically, social forces that shape our lives.

Question 2

Social Location

Answer 2

a society’s system for categorizing its members and how these categorizations effect the way people act and think. In the U.S. social locations are based on race, class, gender, sexuality, etc. People’s locations in society are based on societal categorizations.

Question 3

Sociological Perspective

Answer 3

stresses that people’s social experiences and the groups to which they belong determines their behavior.

Question 4

The Sociological Imagination

Answer 4

a quality of mind that enables people to grasp the connections between self (biography) and world (history).

Question 5

Troubles

Answer 5

personal problems and difficulties that can be explained in terms of individual shortcomings related to motivation, attitude, ability, character, or judgement.

Question 6

Issues

Answer 6

a matter that can be explained only by factors outside an individual’s control or immediate environment.