The of the Social Bases - Case Study Example

 «The Study of the Social Bases» Observation On my way home from work I see a man who was dressed very professionally. I though perhaps he was a business man or a very high ranking person. It turned out that we were both walking in the same direction. However, I had to stop and sit for a while. I was waiting on a friend of mine. While waiting I watched the man as he continued on. I could see him walk towards a big silver door and I knew that he was headed for a garbage room. The man carefully put the briefcase that he had been carrying on the floor. He took off his blazer and sat it near the briefcase. Then, he opened the door. Realizing that there was no door holder he held the door open with his foot. Stretching over to his briefcase, he took out a newspaper and placed it in the door. His actions made me very curious and I continued to watch. I could see that he was going to get into something interesting. The man went on into the garbage room. All of the people that were passing by on the road could see him with his bare hands in the large, silver garbage bins; which happened to be quite full at the time. The man searched through every bag. He ripped them apart one by one. By that time I realized that he did not care at all about what the other people were thinking of him. He simply focused on that one thing that he was doing and kept on; searching, probably, for the right bin bag. I started to feel that I probably should not be staring at him as steady as I was. Yet, I was curious and could not help myself. I needed to know, or to see, just what it was that meant so much to him that he would be doing this. The man moved slowly from the first container to the next one. This time, however, he chose to just climb right in. This time it looked like he found what he was looking for. It was the smile on his face that let me know he had accomplished his task. He takes the bin bag that he found, picks up his blazer and suitcase, and walks on home wearing a big smile. I am glad that the man found what he was looking for; especially since he had to spend time in a room like that. However, I am still curious as to what could have been in that bag that meant so much to him. Sociological Account Sociology has been defined as, “The study of the social bases of what is known, believed or valued both by individuals and society” (Drislane and Parkinson, n.d.). It differs from psychology in that psychology deals primarily with the mind of an individual. It differs from history in that sociology does not only study what occurred in the past, but what is taking place in the present. Sociology also varies from common sense because it uses a scientific approach to generating understanding. According to the Princeton Review, “Sociologists study human society and social behavior through the prism of group formations and social, political, religious, and economic institutions” (2011). It is the duty of a sociologist to study events and relationships in society to identify how sociological understanding can build upon the knowledge of the way society functions. Sociology is at tool that serves to verify philosophies or create new ones. At its best, this field of study grants a means by which policies can be created that will serve the greater good. During the consideration of the observation discussed herein, a multitude of questions may arise in the minds of sociologists. There are many aspects that the sociologist may consider when making an observation. According to the University of California, San Diego, Sociology integrates the findings of economics, political science, psychology and history. Rather than viewing our world only through one lens, sociologists view the world though lenses that combine these diverse perspectives” (Department of Sociology, n.d.). To form the sociological questions that may be asked about the observation described in this paper the factors used are social, economic, political, and religious. The questions may be found in table 1. Table 1: Questions a sociologist may ask Topics Questions Social Is this a social norm or an act of deviance? Is he a conformist or an innovator? How does society view this man’s actions? How does this man view society? Political What is this man’s political association? How has his political perceptions effected his behaviour? Religious What is this man’s religion? How does his religion determine his actions? Economic What is the economic position of this man? What part does his economic position play in this behaviour? The situation of the man in the suit going digging through the rubbish is interesting from a sociological viewpoint in all the various topics. Under the social topic, it is interesting because this is an occurrence that is outside of the social norms. There are those who would not dare dig through the rubbish; especially those who are wearing suits. However, there is no written rule that says one cannot dig through rubbish when wearing a suit. If there be any rules about the situation at all, then they are the socially constructed, unspoken ones. When a sociologist is considering this situation from a political viewpoint, there are various complexities that they might want to consider. For example, a person who is not for helping the poor might also despise the idea of digging through the rubbish. They would feel that it is an activity which is unworthy for them. However, a person who would vote for tax breaks for the poor may be sympathetic to their lifestyle. Such a person might not be harsh on someone digging through the rubbish. They might not consider this a strange activity for them themselves to do. As well, political systems affect the perceptions of society. In an area where most are politically sympathetic to the poor, the act of digging through the rubbish might not be subject to harsh social sanctions. Politics might have influenced the man’s need to retrieve the item. If the item was an important piece of identification, for example, local laws may require the man to retrieve the item, regardless as to how he perceived the activity or the social sanctions that might result. Religion also is a topic by which sociologists may analyze this activity. Some religions might consider digging through the rubbish an unholy act. In addition, the man might have been looking for a religiously important artifact that was so dear to him that it was worth digging in the rubbish for. Also, the religion of the witnesses might help to predict the social sanctions, if any that were expressed. Finally, with economics as a consideration, the man’s financial status may also have played a part in his actions. He might not have been able to afford to replace what he had lost. This attire could suggest that he was looking for a job. Sociologists will take all of these topics into consideration. They will use them to form their questions. Then, they will analyze the observation through the perception of their theories to discover the answers. Functionalism is one the sociological theories. It is composed of two major elements, “application of the scientific method to the objective social world and use of an analogy between the individual organism and society” (McClelland, 2000). Functionalists believe everything has a purpose in society. Under the functionalist theory it might be suggested that it is necessary for some people to dig through the garbage. They might even include the fact that the man was dressed the way he was to explain how this event has added to the benefit of society. There are many theories the sociologist might use to view the observation. As Ryan and Deborah Cragun stated, “Sociological theory is developed at multiple levels, ranging from grand theory to highly contextualized and specific micro-range theories. There are literally thousands of middle-range and micro-range theories in sociology” (n.d.). This observation could also be viewed through symbolic interaction. This theory has been defined as, “the process of interaction in the formation of meanings for individuals” (Nelson, 1998). Users of this perspective would look at what the man’s actions meant to him. Through this perspective the sociologist would see that the item the man was looking for had a high value for him. They would acknowledge that when a person is intrinsically motivated because of personal values the effectiveness of social sanctions diminishes. Reflection Common sense is a viewpoint that can vary greatly from person to person; even though there are commonalities which are considered the standard. However, common sense is based greatly on traditions that are not always correct. As it was stated by Lisl Klein, “Whether an outcome is regarded as ‘common sense’ has to do with experience of a situation before it is researched, familiarity with findings afterwards, and the kind of language used”(2006). To have a higher level of knowledge, it is not acceptable to rely on common sense alone. There has to be a scientific way of understanding occurrences. Therefore, using the science of sociology to study society is a much better means of gaining understanding than relying on common sense alone. Sociology helps the undertaker to become enlightened and make advancements, whereas common sense may leave one stagnant. By having a greater range of possibilities, the better solutions to major issues in society can be uncovered. Therefore, the sociological approach is very useful indeed. No longer does one have to remain in the dark ages of understanding. No longer does everything have to be ruled by common sense. The common sense method leaves a lot to be desired. With the common sense approach loose ends remain untied. For this cause are many people misunderstood and denied justice. Sociology is a means whereby we may realize peace. With this science individuals can come to better understand and accept each other. This facilitates an environment of optimal learning, teamwork, and, as a result, growth. By completing this exercise I learned not to judge by first impressions. Thanks to sociology, I learned that things are not always as they seem. We can be educated and still be wrong if we have not thoroughly explored all of our options through various perspectives and weighed the resulting information from an objective standpoint. I find sociology to be a very valuable discipline that will aid its employer even if the one who practices its methods are not a sociologist by occupation. This method of reasoning can aid everyone who learns it regardless of their position in life, there occupation, or even their believe system. Sociology has the power to create unity amongst diverse groups of people; an occurrence which is vital in the face of today’s high rate of globalization. The person that cannot view society on many different levels may quickly find themselves left behind and quite lonesome. Personally, I am glad that I learned about sociology. This course has given me an ability that will benefit me throughout my life upon this earth. We are social creatures. Man needs to work together in order to survive. Human relations are the number one key to success. By being able to see people from different viewpoints, we do not have to simply judge them and be left to the horrible category of the intolerant. Intolerance is a thing that excludes. When people are intolerant of others, they may find that they are also judged against. Now, with the tools of sociology, I can understand the retreatist, the innovator, and the complacent. This, by no means, implies that I have to be like them. Instead I can be my own person, let them be theirs, and find peace with that. The feedback that was given me was very helpful. Through it, I was able to guide my paper. Also, I found that the feedback helped me in my motivation. I found great passion about the topic and was able to raise my standards. Now, for me, sociology is not just another class; it is not just another thing to learn in school. Sociology is a tool that is to be highly desired. Sociology is a knowledge that is great to have. This is something that can be applied every day and in various instances. Sociology can be applied when dealing one on one with people. As well, when the news is read or watched, or heard, sociology can be a guiding ruler by which the messages received can be interpreted. It is my position that when a person learns sociology and they learn to think like a sociologist; to use their sociological imagination and apply the theories, which they will make a better member of society. However, if I were to look at this from a functionalist point of view, it might be implied that those who do not learn about sociology serve a purpose in society too. It could be said through this perspective that society needs the uneducated. After all, if everybody is overqualified, who is going to do all of those undesirable jobs? Often, I feel that the functionalists are right, but that the truth they offer is very disheartening. A person who looks at someone in a lower state of society that has a lower socioeconomic status, and decides that this person should be that way in order for society to function may be considered rather calloused of heart. I do not want to be perceived that way. Neither could I take up such a cause as that of the functionalist. Nevertheless, by them am I justified. After all, people who do not choose to be functionalists must have a purpose in society too, according to the functionalist theorem. On this point I will gladly agree with them. However, I must say that symbolic interaction is my favorite theory. I think that everyone has distance characteristics of motives that cannot fit neatly in other theories. For example, in my observation what the man did had meaning to him. He had his own reasons for doing so. A look into his life may find that his actions in that day cannot serve to predict or explain his behaviour. People are sometimes subject to stepping outside of what is normal for them. Episodes of spontaneity can arise even in those who have been complacent to social norms all of their lives. Works Cited Sociologist. (2011). The Princeton Review. Retrieved July 25, 2011, from http://www.princetonreview.com/Careers.aspx?cid=144 Klein, L. (2006). Applied social science: Is it just common sense?. Human Relations, 59(8), 1155-72. doi: 10.1177/0018726706068804 McClelland, K. (2000, February 24). Functionalism. Grenell College. Retrieved July 25, 2011, from web.grinnell.edu/courses/soc/s00/soc111-01/IntroTheories/Functionalism. Cragun, R., & Cragun, D. (n.d.). Theories of Sociology. Sociology Education | An Insight to Human Social Relations. Retrieved July 25, 2011, from http://edu.learnsoc.org/Chapters/3%20theories%20of%20sociology/1%20introduction.htm Drislane, R., & Parkinson, G. (n.d.). Sociology. Online Dictionary of the Social Sciences. Retrieved July 25, 2011, from http://bitbucket.icaap.org/dict.pl Department of Sociology. (n.d.). Why Major in Sociology. UC San Diego - Department of Sociology. Retrieved July 25, 2011, from http://www.sociology.ucsd.edu/undergraduates Nelson, L. (1998). Herbert Blumer's Symbolic Interactionism. University of Colorado Boulder. Retrieved July 25, 2011, from http://www.colorado.edu/communication/meta-discourses/Papers/App_Papers/ Read More