1. Defining Sociology and The Sociological Imagination
What is Sociology?
● Sociology is the scientific study of human behavior in society.
● The core assumption is that social behavior is regular and patterned
(not random).
● Sociologists study interactions at all levels: between individuals, within
small groups, inside large organizations, and across entire societies.
● It differs from Common Sense because sociology is empirical—it
relies on systematic data collection and analysis rather than subjective
beliefs, myths, or conventional wisdom. Sociologists examine claims
critically.
The Sociological Imagination
● The Sociological imagination (coined by C. Wright Mills) is the ability
to see the relationship between an individual's experiences
(personal troubles) and larger social influences (public issues).
● It helps us understand that widespread problems are often caused by
structural factors rather than just individual failings.
Levels of Analysis
● Microsociology: Examines the patterns of individuals’ social
interaction in specific settings (e.g., studying how an individual
family argues about money).
● Macrosociology: Examines large-scale patterns and processes
that characterize society as a whole (e.g., studying how widespread
economic recessions affect national divorce rates).
2. Origins and Early Theorists
A Theory is a set of statements that explains why a particular phenomenon
occurs.
Key Early Theorists and Concepts
● Auguste Comte: Known as the Father of sociology. Advocated for
the empirical (scientific) study of society.
● Harriet Martineau: Translated Comte’s work and emphasized the
importance of systematic data collection.
What is Sociology?
● Sociology is the scientific study of human behavior in society.
● The core assumption is that social behavior is regular and patterned
(not random).
● Sociologists study interactions at all levels: between individuals, within
small groups, inside large organizations, and across entire societies.
● It differs from Common Sense because sociology is empirical—it
relies on systematic data collection and analysis rather than subjective
beliefs, myths, or conventional wisdom. Sociologists examine claims
critically.
The Sociological Imagination
● The Sociological imagination (coined by C. Wright Mills) is the ability
to see the relationship between an individual's experiences
(personal troubles) and larger social influences (public issues).
● It helps us understand that widespread problems are often caused by
structural factors rather than just individual failings.
Levels of Analysis
● Microsociology: Examines the patterns of individuals’ social
interaction in specific settings (e.g., studying how an individual
family argues about money).
● Macrosociology: Examines large-scale patterns and processes
that characterize society as a whole (e.g., studying how widespread
economic recessions affect national divorce rates).
2. Origins and Early Theorists
A Theory is a set of statements that explains why a particular phenomenon
occurs.
Key Early Theorists and Concepts
● Auguste Comte: Known as the Father of sociology. Advocated for
the empirical (scientific) study of society.
● Harriet Martineau: Translated Comte’s work and emphasized the
importance of systematic data collection.
