Sasha Goodridge 1
Sociology workbook
CHAPTER 2
What is Sociology?
Aims of the chapter

To introduce the subject matter of Sociology

To introduce the Sociological way of thinking

To introduce basic concepts of Sociology

To understand the development of Sociology in Europe and the Caribbean.

To introduce the four (4) main theoretical schools of Sociology.
What is Sociology?
Sociology studies the social world in which we live. It describes and analyzes our behaviour
within the structures of society.
It seeks to discover how human society has come to be the way it is and reveals the forces that
shape people’s lives today. Sociology studies the interaction between self (individual) and social
groups. It also studies the interaction between groups and what this interaction means for society
as a whole.
Sasha Goodridge 2
Sociology workbook
Activity 1.1
Below you will see four different definitions of Sociology. Read these definitions; write
three points of similarity between them. Then write your own definition of Sociology.

Anthony Giddens defines Sociology as the study of human social life, groups and
societies. (Giddens A. , 2001, p. 2).

Mike O’Donnell defines Sociology as the systematic study of societies.(O'Donnell, 1997,
p. 2)

The Sociological Association of Ireland defines Sociology as the scientific study of
social life.

Sociology is simply, the scientific study of social behaviour and human groups. It
focuses on social relationships; how those relationships influence people’s behaviour; and
how societies, the sum total of these relationships, develop and change. (Schaefer, 2012,
p. 5)
Activity 1.2
Brainstorm with your group or a partner and write three questions Sociologists would ask
about society.
The Benefits of Sociology
1. Helps us to better understand our lives. It does this by helping us to see beyond ourselves
to the forces that assist in influencing our behaviour.
2. Seeks to identify and explain the events that have shaped our world.
3. It provides systematic and rigorous analysis of society. This analysis is not based on
hearsay, or one’s own thoughts.
Sociological Imagination
As a Sociology student you will be required to use your Sociological imagination (open mind)
when discussing and analyzing societal issues.
The term Sociological Imagination was coined by C. Wright Mills in the 1950’s. He used the
term to describe a way of looking at society. One key element of the Sociological Imagination is
Sasha Goodridge 3
Sociology workbook
the ability to step back from one’s own life and society, and view it through the lens of an
outsider, away from personal experience or cultural bias. It is a way to examine life and see the
linkages between our lives and the influence of history and social forces.
Sociological Imagination: The application of imaginative thought to the asking and answering of
sociological questions. Someone using the Sociological Imagination “thinks himself away” from the
familiar routines of daily life. (Giddens, 2012, p. 4)
Sociological Imagination is an awareness of the relationship between an individual and the wider
society, both today and in the past (Schaefer, 2012). The Sociological Imagination therefore
allows us to go beyond personal experiences and observations to understand the broader societal
issues.
C.Wright Mills used the issue of divorce. He believed that divorce is a personal hardship
between a husband and a wife who split up. But if one uses the Sociological Imagination one
can ask the following questions:

Is the divorce rate increasing or decreasing?

Are they societal effects on the family structure as a result of divorce?

How are individuals affected by divorce? Do they function like others?
Do these individuals impact on society?

What is the impact of divorce on society?
C.Wright Mills did not only see divorce as a personal trouble, but also a public issue in society.
Activity 1.3 -Use your understanding of sociological imagination
You are walking down the road and you cannot help but notice that half of the people are
wearing tattoos.
1. How do you explain your observations?
2. If you were C.Wright Mills, what explanation would you give?
Sasha Goodridge 4
Sociology workbook
Sociological Imagination Worksheet
II. Distinguish a social issue from personal trouble (sociological imagination vs psychological
reductionism)
1.
Some people become unemployed because of lack of job skills and personality flaws.
2. Unemployment rate in America is highest among city minority groups.
3. In America, twenty-one percent of all children under age 18 live below the poverty level.
4. Inequality ratio (the gap between rich and the poor) is at record levels in the world today.
5. One high school student who was dumped by his girl friend carried a gun to school
and killed some of his schoolmates.
6. The recent incidences of school children using guns and killing teachers and classmates call
people’s attention on the prevalence of school violence in America and family’s role in educating and socializing
children.
7. Mary and Joe have communication problems in their marriage relationship and they are seeking a
divorce.
8. The divorce rate in the past three decade soars and millions of families broken up.
9. South Carolina ranks lowest in SAT among all the states this year, and the media and the
government start to call people’s attention on the education system.
10. My sons and several neighboring kids did not prepare well before they took SAT and scored very
low..
11. Increasing number of accidents are caused by Driving Under TheInfluence, therefore, the community
organized campaigns against alcoholism.
12. Several of my acquaintances have family troubles because their spouses like to play video poker.
13. Years ago, in Columbia, a mother who is claimed to have mental problems beat her ten-year- old daughter
to death.
14. The patriarchal culture in American society is responsible for domestic violence
Supplemental Reading


Tying it all together: The Sociological Imagination and the Limits of love.
The Sociology of Coffee
NOTES
Sasha Goodridge 5
Sociology workbook