sociology Flashcards
“Society does not stop at the surface of our skins. Society penetrates us as much as it envelopes us.”
Peter Berger
An invitation to Sociology
“The way in which such location tells an individual just what he may do and what he can expect of life; to be located in society means to be at the intersection point of specific social forces.”
Peter Berger
Man in Society
social control
uses rewards and punishments to encourage certain behaviors and discourage others
system by which society ranks categories of people in a hierarchy
social stratification
- affects ppl’s life chances and lifestyle
situation is defined by (example)
participants
(wht constitutes a “family” can be defined socially and legally and these definitions can change)
“Society is sui generis, it confronts us with a massive reality… it is there, something to be reckoned with, it is external to ourselves and encompasses our life on all sides; we are in society, located in specific sectors of the social system which predetermines almost everything
that we do; it confronts us in the form of coercion.”
Emile Durkheim
- describes society as a massive, external reality that we must reckon with it
process of learning how to become a participant member of society
socialization
society is not only out there but in here, part of our innermost being.
society in man
“a quality of mind, a capacity to understand the interplay of man and society, of biography and history, of self and the social world.”
sociological imagination
- way of thinking that help us understand how our personal experiences are connected to larger social issues and historical trends
- taking a step back and see the bigger picture
- its abt seeing how our individual lives (our “biography”) are influenced by society and history
“The personal troubles of milieu” VS “the public issues of social structures”
C. Wright Mills
For example, if one person can’t find a job, it might seem like a personal problem. But if millions are unemployed, it’s a public issue related to the economy and social structures.
“Neither the life of an individual nor the history of a society can be understood without understanding both.”
C. Wright Mill
to fully understand a person’s life or a society’s history, you need to look at both the individual and social aspects.
how does sociological imagination benefits society and individuals
Benefits for individuals:
It helps people understand why things happen in their lives, giving them a broader perspective.
This understanding can empower people to be more active in society.
Benefits for society:
It can help shape better public policies by considering how social structures affect individual lives.
