What is Sociology? (Unit 1)

Sociology

The study of how societies are organized and how this organization influences individual behavior.

Social Science

A discipline that involves collecting data, attempting to be unbiased, and using various research methods to study social lives.

Social Institutions

Entities such as family, education, and religion that shape our lives and social interactions.

Invisible Social Structures

Background influences that affect life choices, such as college attendance and marriage.

Sociologists' Study Areas

Topics including aging, education, economics, and technology, among others.

Economic Inequality

A concept described by sociologist Guillermina Jasso as "high" and "increasing," often addressed through government policies.

Prejudice in Social Media

The rise of non-violent prejudicial acts in society, particularly after the Civil Rights Movement.

Common Sense in Sociology

The misconception that sociological findings are merely common sense, as seen in gender communication norms.

Confirmation Bias

The tendency to favor information that confirms existing beliefs, regardless of its truth.

Unique Aspects of Sociology

The sociological imagination, which connects personal experiences to larger social forces.

Sociological Imagination

The ability to understand personal experiences in the context of broader societal influences.

Sociological Perspective

The approach of seeing general patterns in specific individual behaviors and experiences.