StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Problems of Applying Sociological Knowledge to Public Issues - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
This work "Problems of Applying Sociological Knowledge to Public Issues" describes the complexity of social life and the variety of sociological perspectives. The author outlines that the presence of multiple perspectives, the overall complexity of social life, and other issues are claimed to impede the applicability of sociological knowledge to public issues. …
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER94.8% of users find it useful
Problems of Applying Sociological Knowledge to Public Issues
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Problems of Applying Sociological Knowledge to Public Issues"

CRITICALLY DISCUSS THE ISSUES/ PROBLEMS OF APPLYING SOCIOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE TO PUBLIC ISSUES by 18 May Critically Discuss the Issues/ Problems of Applying Sociological Knowledge to Public Issues Introduction Sociology is one of the most human-oriented disciplines focused on the study of human problems and developing solutions. Sociology is a unique way of viewing human behaviors through the prism of their relationships and not through their individual attributes. Sociology differs greatly from the field of psychology with the latter focused on the study of individuals themselves. It is through this societal orientation that sociology does have the potential to be successfully applied in the public issues domain. Unfortunately, the current state of sociology application in public issues is far from desired. Inherent in the analysis of sociological applications are both external and internal problems that profoundly influence the nature of the sociological discipline and its practical developments. The complexity of social life (internal) and the variety of sociological perspectives (external) are, probably, the most significant barriers to the use of sociology to solve public issues. More problematic, however, is the degree to which sociology is applied in public issues. Present-day sociologists have failed to reach an agreement as to whether or not sociology can be applied to solve the most serious social evils. As a result, before sociologists deal with the issues of social life complexity and the multitude of social perspectives, it is imperative to develop a better picture of sociological applicability in the public issues field. Sociology and public issues: Complexity and perspectives The roots of sociology date back at least 100 years, and throughout its history, sociology has undergone major theoretical and practical shifts. Over the past hundred years or so, sociological theories and perspectives emerged and disappeared, giving place to new perspectives and theoretical meanings. Throughout its history, sociology failed to solve the eternal theory-practice conflict: while some sociologists claimed that the discipline had to remain a pure science, others were convinced that quantitative and qualitative approaches had to be used, to support theoretical sociology with the models and data from social realities (Andersen and Taylor 2007; Bruhn and Rebach 1996; Macionis and Plummer 2008). As a result, sociology continued to evolve along the two distinctive lines – theoretical and practical. The issues of practical sociology application can be traced back to the works of Albion Small (Bruhn and Rebach 1996; Small 1916). As a result, it is possible to assume that the problem of applying sociological knowledge in public issues has always been a matter of real professional concern (Gans 1989). Understanding the social issue and enhancing social life is possible only by solving many of the existing public issues and improving the quality of social interactions (Steele and Price 2007). Therefore, solving public issues without applying to applied sociology is absolutely impossible (Mauss 2005). Many researchers tried to combine sociological scholarship with action, but even now it is difficult to understand how successful they have been in their endeavors (Bruhn and Rebach 1996). Sociological problems, including public issues such as drug abuse, family violence, and political discord, are too complex to be solved at once (Furstenberg 2003). Simultaneously, the development of new sociological perspectives slows down their application for the benefit of societies. Unfortunately, these are minor issues compared to the fact that sociologists generally lack any agreement as to how and to what degree sociological knowledge can be applied in practice. For many years, “practical sociology has been presented as if it were, by its nature, unscientific. Some have also incorrectly treated practical sociology as if it were only an interest of the earliest sociologists, or the students – and an interest that needed to be left behind” (Bruhn and Rebach 1996: 2). All those problems impeded the development of practical sociological solutions to the most serious public issues. At present, sociologists do not even know to what degree sociology can be applied in the public issues domain. The complexity of public issues and social phenomena is claimed to be one of the major barriers to applying sociological knowledge to public issues. The complexity of public issues themselves is also claimed to be a serious problem. However, is complexity a real problem in applying sociological knowledge in public issues? More often than not, the complexity of social phenomena and public issues is not a barrier but, on the contrary, a favor given to applied sociologists in their analysis of the major social evils. Certainly, the inhibiting nature of the social life complexity and its potential implications for the application of sociological knowledge cannot be easily dismissed. Even Emile Durkheim recognized that complexity could produce inhibiting effects on the sociological subject matter (Dasgupta and Driskell 2007). However, and according to Durkheim, the overall complexity of the social phenomena is hardly a permanent and impenetrable barrier to obtaining a better, practical understanding of public issues (Dasgupta and Driskell 2007). The complexity of various social phenomena may result in an inadequate understanding of certain public issues but cannot prevent practical sociologists from developing potentially effective solutions. Therefore, the complexity of the social phenomena is hardly the biggest barrier to applying sociological knowledge in public issues. One of the main external challenges to applying sociological knowledge to public issues is the presence of multiple sociological perspectives. A sociological perspective is an effective tool and incentive for rethinking familiar phenomena and issues from a different point of view. These perspectives operate as paradigms brought by practicing sociologists into the real world (Price, Straus and Breeze 2010). It is no wonder that the growing number of perspectives can make it difficult for sociologists to build a well-defined conceptual picture of public issues. Yet, the presence of multiple perspectives is not a plague but a great benefit given to applied sociologists by the complex reality. “Applied sociology employs sociological perspectives to assist in problem solving, and the applied sociologist is generally a research specialist who produces information that is useful in resolving problems in government, industry, and other practice settings” (Bruhn and Rebach 1996: 2). In other words, multiple perspectives are helpful in the development of a multifaceted view of the complex social reality, which creates a good foundation for the development of relevant solutions to the most acute public issues. Sociology and public issues: Theoretical or applied? More serious is the situation with whether or not sociology can be applied, including in public issues. Contemporary sociologists lack any consensus as for how sociology and public issues are related. Steele and Breese (2010) suggest that all sociology is applied. By contrast, Turner (2005) suggests that it is at least surprising for a field as humanistic as sociology to have such a little role/ application in public debates and important public issue decisions. More often than not, public issues are directly related to the various aspects of social organization and life, and have the potential to reorganize society (Turner 2005). Therefore, it would seem natural and expected for sociology to play one of the major roles in the development of public issue solutions (Turner 2005). Unfortunately, any other discipline would find its voice in public issues, but not sociology. Sociology in general and American sociology, in particular, has very little impacts on public issues and policymaking (Turner 2005). Public sociology remains a highly ambiguous field (Agger 2007; Tittle 2004). As a result, the question is not in what impedes the application of sociology in public issues but in the need to develop the field of public issues sociology as such. As of today, sociology provides vast decision making and problem-solving opportunities. However, apart from the fact that there is no agreement as for how and whether sociology can be applied in public issues, there is little agreement on what public issues are and how they work. Public issues are not merely reflections of objective conditions and problems but, rather projections of collective sentiments about these issues (Hilgartner and Bosk 1988). Thus, to decide whether or not sociological knowledge can be applied to public issues, sociologists should first decide for themselves what exactly they mean by ‘public’ issues and what public issues are not. There are numerous situations in society that can hardly be called ‘public issues’ (Hilgartner and Bosk 1988; Spector and Kitsuse 1973). There are numerous situations that have the potential to transform into public issues but have not been detected so far. Again, not multiple perspectives or the complexity of social phenomena, but the lack of general consensus over the most important aspects of sociology is what impedes the development and progress of applied sociology in the public issues domain. To ensure that sociology can benefit public issues, sociologists should achieve a general agreement regarding its applicability and related aspects. This is the only way to ensure that the humanity has a chance to address its public issues consistently. Conclusion Applying sociological knowledge to public issues is considered one of the biggest problems in sociology. The presence of multiple perspectives, the overall complexity of social life, and other internal and external issues are claimed to impede the applicability of sociological knowledge to public issues. Really, the growing scope of sociological perspectives and the complexity of sociological phenomena may hinder the development of effective sociological frameworks. Yet, more often than not, these aspects benefit the study of sociology and its potential applications. More serious is the fact that sociologists lack any consensus as for whether and how sociology can be applied in public issues. Therefore, sociologists should achieve a general agreement regarding its applicability and related aspects. References Agger, B. (2007) Public sociology: From social facts to literary acts. New York: Rowman & Littlefield. Andersen, M.L. and Taylor, H.F. (2007) Sociology: Understanding a diverse society. Boston: Cengage Learning. Bruhn, J.G. and Rebach, H.M. (1996) Clinical sociology: An agenda for action. London: Springer. Dasgupta, S. and Driskell, R.B. (2007) Discourse on applied psychology: Theoretical perspectives. London: Anthem Press. Furstenberg, F.F. (2003) ‘Teenage childbearing as a public issue and private concern’, Annual Review of Sociology 29: 23-39. Gans, H.J. (1989) ‘Sociology in America: The discipline and the public American Sociological Association, 1988 Presidential address’, American Sociological Review 54: 1-16. Hilgartner, S. and Bosk, C.L. (1988) ‘The rise and fall of social problems: A public arenas model’, The American Journal of Sociology 94(1): 53-78. Macionis, J.J. and Plummer, K. (2008) Sociology: A global introduction. Prentice Hall: Pearson Education. Mauss, M. (2005) The nature of sociology: Two essays. Oxford: Berghahn Books. Price, J., Straus, R.A. and Breese, J.R. (2010) Doing sociology: Case studies in sociological practice. New York: Lexington Books. Small, A.W. (1916) ‘Fifty years of sociology in the United States’, American Journal of Sociology 21(6): 721-864. Spector, M. and Kitsuse, J.I. (1973) ‘Social problems: A re-formulation’, Social Problems 21(2): 145-159. Steele, S.F. and Price, J. (2007) Applied sociology: Terms, topics, tools and tasks. Boston: Cengage Learning. Tittle, C.R. (2004) ‘The arrogance of public sociology’, Social Forces 82(4): 1639-1643. Turner, J.H. (2005) ‘Is public sociology such a good idea?’, The American Sociologist, Fall- Winter: 28-45. Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(Problems of Applying Sociological Knowledge to Public Issues Essay, n.d.)
Problems of Applying Sociological Knowledge to Public Issues Essay. https://studentshare.org/sociology/1774466-critically-discuss-the-issuesproblems-of-applying-sociological-knowledge-to-public-issues
(Problems of Applying Sociological Knowledge to Public Issues Essay)
Problems of Applying Sociological Knowledge to Public Issues Essay. https://studentshare.org/sociology/1774466-critically-discuss-the-issuesproblems-of-applying-sociological-knowledge-to-public-issues.
“Problems of Applying Sociological Knowledge to Public Issues Essay”. https://studentshare.org/sociology/1774466-critically-discuss-the-issuesproblems-of-applying-sociological-knowledge-to-public-issues.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Problems of Applying Sociological Knowledge to Public Issues

Social Science and Public Health

The trend of risk identification and intervention has triggered a series of negative reactions from the patients, who are mostly anxious and become concerned about their health issues.... Critique of the use of the concept of risk within public health 2 ... hellip; Patch 1: Critique of the use of the concept of risk within public health ... The new public health, as a result, finds itself in the midst of a growing trend whereby the changing health environment is flooded with messages related to risks in virtually all aspects of one's everyday life (Adelhard and Obst (1999)....
13 Pages (3250 words) Essay

Burrawoys Model of Public Sociology

Sociology involves solving personal issues and public problems (JOHNSON.... Public sociology is a sociological procedure in which one attempts to solve issues of the public.... The paper "Burrawoy's Model of public Sociology" highlights that Mathieu Deflem of the University of South Carolina argued that public sociology “is neither public nor sociology”.... public sociology is not a plea to make sociology more relevant to the many publics in society....
7 Pages (1750 words) Essay

The Rise of Nurse Practitioners Is a Sociological Sign of Change

As Brown (2011) revealed, with the realization that sick people will continue to accrue regardless of how little the government wants them, the time for new and innovative scientific theories combined with sound sociological understanding, are needed to adequately address the needs of the existing population as well as the growing and continued issues that will arrive with the next generation.... The paper "The Rise of Nurse Practitioners Is a Sociological Sign of Change" states that science and our improving ability to communicate and identify needs, the opportunity for positive social change, our ability to incorporate new knowledge and expand our thinking continues to grow daily....
6 Pages (1500 words) Essay

Critically Discuss the Issues of Applying Sociological Knowledge to Public Issues

The complexity of public issues and social phenomena is claimed to be one of the major barriers to applying sociological knowledge to public issues.... As a result, it is possible to assume that the problem of applying sociological knowledge in public issues has always been a matter of real professional concern (Gans 1989).... However, is complexity a real problem in applying sociological knowledge in public issues?... Therefore, the complexity of the social phenomena is hardly the biggest barrier to applying sociological knowledge in public issues....
6 Pages (1500 words) Essay

Applying Sociology to Public Practice

hellip; In this paper, I will be identifying and discussing the problems with applying Sociology to public issues.... (James, 1996)Competing PerspectivesAs can be deduced from the previous discussion, there is a tendency for sociological knowledge to become of little value.... There is no finality in sociological pursuits because it is subjected to change and what is much more pressing is that mechanisms are often unidentifiable.... According to Levin (2006), while there are indeed sociological researches that...
5 Pages (1250 words) Essay

Sociology: What is sociology Is it clearly distinguishable from other disciplines

However, sociology can be considered as scientific in many ways for example, it is the scientific study of social life of individuals or groups with the external influence of social factors such as economy, politics, public issues etc.... The life of human beings is… t only affected by the natural orders, but a major part of their life is controlled by social issues such as health problems affecting a group of people, scarcity of food, changing economic policies and political conditions, impact of technology etc....
4 Pages (1000 words) Essay

The God that Failed: A Marxist Perspective on the Financial Crisis

His sociological principles provide an excellent framework for understanding the causes and effects of the financial meltdown that affects every country and every person, in some way, on Earth.... This analysis remains pivotal in the sociological examination of work.... Marx pushed forward the prospect of a sociological approach to work, which he delimited the scope “to the sociology of the factory”....
7 Pages (1750 words) Coursework

How Far Can Sociological Thinking Enhance Our Understanding of Ourselves

0-12) argues that individual problems are usually rooted in social or public issues and affairs and whatever happens in the outside world of a person is beyond his control and the relationship between the outside world and the individual experiences is what is referred to as sociological imagination.... Thereafter, sociological thinking comes in to help prevent us from having automatic reactions on issues and arguments, the formation of reasonable solutions to the problems that may be encountered and developing a tolerant attitude on any form of uncertainty or ambiguity that may be encountered....
8 Pages (2000 words) Essay
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us