In three words or less, describe “who” you are in:

Math ClassLunchGym

Last weekend

Do Now: Who are you?

Sociology

Study of human behavior in groups

What people do?Why they do it?

What is Sociology?

What is your sociological identity?The collection of group memberships

that determine your identity

StudentDaughterSonSisterBrotherEmployeeVolunteerMusicianDancerWriterMathematicianFriendColleagueNeighbor…..

What is a

Sociological

Perspective?

Sociology seeks to see how

society “is”, not what it should

be

Studying groups without

attributing your own opinions or

values

The ability

to see a connect

ion

Between you

And the

larger world

What is a Sociological Imagination?

9/11 Death of Bin Laden Japan Earthquake St. Baldricks JFK

View the world through other’s eyesLook beyond commonly held beliefs to hidden meanings

Look at Correlations: Ex. There is a distinct connection between hospitalization and death

Causation: Smoking has been linked as a cause of cancer through research

Now it’s your turn to look at an issue sociologically

What is the difference between the Valley Central High School North Cafeteria and South Cafeteria from a sociological standpoint?

In a group of 3 – brain storm this question

Social Sciences

Anthropology

History

Psychology

Economics

Political Science

Social PsychologyOther ty

pes of Social Sciences

Why do Sociologists use Empirical Questions?

Empirical Questions

Can be answered by gathering facts

Different from other types of

questions

The

oretical Qu

estion

What is racism?A questions about ideas that is answered by other ideas

Mor

al Question

Should there be racism?A question that asks you to make a value judgment

Empiri

cal

Qu

estion

Does racism exist in society?A question that can be answered with observations and investigation

Sociology is a Science –using observations and research can provide data that can be

measured

How is Sociology Scientific?

• Ask a question (hypothesis)• Create a way to collect data for an answer• Observe Carefully• Analyze your observations to see what answers they provide It is NOT common sense even thoughIt may seem that way….appearances are often deceiving!

Examples of sociological questions

Does the quantity of social ties affect the quality of social ties?(Does having more acquaintances harm or help close friendships?)

Is inequality inherited?(Do people raised in poverty go on to different jobs than those who

were raised with wealth?)Does working hard guarantee success?

(Does working hard determine quality of life or do issues like illness, disabilities, economics, geographic location limit success?)

Who uses sociology?

Political groupsNonprofit groups

GovernmentLaw Enforcement

Social WorkersEducationBusiness

Individuals

How can government reduce

unemployment? How do we provide

for the disabled? Can criminals be

rehabilitated? Can we predict when

crimes will occur? Do Domestic

Violence programs work? How can

bullying be prevented? Why do

students drop out of school? How can

we motivate employees? What type of

commercial will attract buyers? What

kind of toothpaste should I buy?

Should I break up with him/her?.....

What do Sociologists look at?

• Politics, race, gender, economics, religion, psychology, anthropology, cultural studies, gender studies, etc.

• All interact with each other.• Studying one in isolation misses important information on how social groups work

Summary

• What is Sociology?• What is sociological identity• What kinds of questions are there?• How do sociologists measure society?• What is sociological perspective?• What is sociological imagination?• In what areas do sociologists work?• What content areas do sociologists look at

and why?

Exit Quiz

• In one sentence sum up the main idea of this lesson

• Write down one (1) new term you learned today

• Will you ever use anything you

learned today ?

Name_____________ Per.____