Sociology Australia Examining Sociology I

Sociology Australia Examining Sociology I was introduced to some very interesting terms and concepts this week. I was particularly interested in unobtrusive research and its comparison to empirical studies. At first I was intrigued by the idea of utilizing social research methodologies that allowed one to truly study the subjects as they exist in their own environments without disturbing the environment of jeopardizing validity.

I became very excited about being able to learn about human beings as they naturally interact with their social world and believed that these observations could be utilized alone or in conjunction with empirical research in order to produce more reliable research. Interestingly, I did not take into consideration the potential drawbacks to this type of observation including the ramifications of engaging an individual in a study where they do not know that they are participants.

This brought me full circle to the question of at what point does the benefit gained by natural reactions outweigh the potential negative impact of unobtrusive research. It would seem that there is so much to be gained through this social research approach that empirical studies are unable to truly obtain due to threats to validity. Ethics in Sociology The concept that resonated for me this week was that of sociological imagination particularly as it is impacted by historical and cultural considerations.

The concept of sociological imagination as being the link between issues related to the individuals as they intersect with the issues of society was quite intriguing. In particular, it challenges the reader to truly look at the role that history and culture play in current events that are happening in the world and within an individual. It is important when seeking to understand current society or to initiate change to social problems that one is able to recognize the link between history and society and the practical implications for practice.

We can use what we have learned from history and cultural events to develop an understanding of how the world operates and how we have ended up in the specific point in time as well as what has been tried to address societal issues so that we do not repeat them and instead can focus on more effective interventions.

Sociology, Identity, and Families I would like to write about the concept of self in sociology this week because I have learned to evaluate the relationship between the internal and external self and the influence that society plays on developing who we are as individuals. When taken in the perspective of how we view children in society as influential and subject to the perspectives of key people, one would believe that we develop our identity based upon a culmination of all of our experiences and social influences.

The institutions of education and religion are believed to be process by which socialization and identity development occur in the external world and therefore our external self is the result of these factors. Society and family are viewed as the agents by which individuals are molded into the people they are to become and this can be best accomplished through the use of structure and discipline. Yet one must also take into account the individual internal factors that make us more or less likely to be influenced by external forces.

It is the merger of the external and internal forces that allow us to fully develop and individuate. Sociology, Age, and Identity This week I particularly connected with the concept of youth and their ability to develop an identity within the.