GRASPING THE SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE
Table of Contents
Introduction
To grasp the sociological perspective…
… to see the world in a new light
As your angle of vision changes…
… no longer do things look the same
The taken-for-granted may take on an unfamiliar hue
Conclusion
References
Society is seen through different realities. The subjective outcomes of these realities intimate the multifarious views of people founded from their individual encounters and the respective circumstances surrounding them. It is for this same reason that the ensuing behaviours of individuals appear to be highly influenced by these social realities. The study of sociology attempts to make sense of all these reactions and ensuing behaviour coming from these social realities. In the same manner, it seeks to determine the elements that drive these as they relate to both the common individual and society as a whole. The use of the sociological perspective allows the common folk to view the world in various lenses. It seeks to explain how these realities tend to be mere superficial and a gamut of other truths lie beneath this jagged surface. Following this line of reasoning, one recognises the fact that in order to make out the actual social constructs of society, the sociological perspective should be employed. Nonetheless, the problem is that based on numerous lectures on self and society, there are certain perspectives, from the classic to the post-modern principles of sociology, that appears highly polarised with each other. The question remains whether these diversities carts off the realities behind the use of a sociological perspective.
To grasp the sociological perspective…Arguably, the central implication of grasping a sociological perspective is the apparent shift from the mundane and mediocre to the highly intuitive and critical way of thinking. The existing paradigms and theories bestow tools that will assist them in understanding society through “different lenses.” (SOCY1002 lecture, 27/2/2008) For instance, the social institution for education is often related to the systems of pedagogy and the acquisition of learning required for a better future. In using the sociological perspective, one realises that that interpretation forms a part of various analysis of education as a social institution. As discussed throughout the course, educations could be viewed in a pessimistic and optimistic fashion. For the former, education may be regarded as a form of social control which limits the individual to stray away from the conventional. On the other hand, education is also regarded optimistically as a form of increasing human capital. By these interpretations, it shows the implications of the social institution to certain groups in society. Social lenses on these educational theories tend to explain why certain groups of people regard this institution the way they do. For those who regard education as human capital, its acquisition equate to skills and knowledge which are investments for the near future. (SOCY1002 lecture, 12/03/2008) It allows learners and students to access opportunities certain areas of the labour market. On the other hand, the pessimistic view on education as a means of social control essentially points to the “marginalisation of those who think differently.” (SOCY1002 lecture, 12/03/2008) This perspective explains the behaviour certain subgroups that resist the educational system. In the same light, this regard on education translates to the stagnation of human development. It perceives education as a golden cage where everyone inside appears comfortable but will never really achieves the complete and extensive development that they seek.
… to see the world in a new lightWithout the emergence of sociological thought, it is likely that the potential of certain social patterns and social structures may have yet maximised. Fortunately, the forefathers of sociology have taken the initiative to “see the world in a new light.” (SOCY1002 lecture, 04/05/2008) The most renowned sociological thinkers like Weber, Marx and Durkheim provided the theories that were form the foundation of today’s sociological thought. These are examples of individuals who have used sociological perspectives to interpret the social problems that they have encountered during their time. For instance, Marx took on the issues evolving on the political, cultural and economic manifestations of Europe. (Hassard and Rowlinson, 2000, 85) It is in these regard that his most respected social structure emerged: communism. (Peterson, 1994, 377) On the other hand, Weber viewed society as a result of modes of production and the consequent motivations of men underlying it. (Swedberg, 2003, 283) This forms a building block of the current views on sociological thought, particularly the need for the common person to identify with society and understand it without delving too much on common sense but thought an intensively sociological perspective. Durkheim, on the other hand, viewed society as a product of the amalgamation of all the functions of the elements present in society. (Thompson, 2002, 20) It intimates that society will not be able to exist without the presence of a collective conscience that will define its identity.
As valuable as the theories that Weber, Durkheim, and Marx provided is their explanation on the reason why social problems exists. For instance, Weber looks at a certain flaw in society as an accrual of all social processes that contributed to the actual social problem. This entails that social problems are accumulated from years of experience. On the other hand, Marx regards social problems as an outcome of the marginalisation of a particular social class. More specifically, conflict in society is viewed by Marx as an offshoot of existing inequalities based on class. On the part of Durkheim, he sees social conflict as a functional part of society. This means that the effects of such conflicts may address certain issues on some other parts of society. In any case, the use of the sociological perspective allowed these thinkers to create something out of the social realities that they have encountered during their lifetime. As a result, it gave the following generations the familiarity and understanding on these aspects of society.
As your angle of vision changes…Human experiences are relative to historical and social events on which a person encounters. This is the premise of the sociological imagination proposed by Mills. (SOCY1002 lecture, 27/2/2008) This theory of Mills encourages the person to navigate the realities of society by understanding the relationships between their individual encounters and the social structures implicated by historical forces. These historical forces may include elements of culture and norms of the community. (SOCY1002 lecture, 06/05/2008)
In using the sociological imagination, it allows the person using it to constantly view certain aspects of the present society with reference to the old ones. In this manner, development of new ideas through critical thinking allows the possessor of the sociological imagination to constantly determine changes that will fit the existing social structures. In the context of understanding the self and society, Mill’s theory allows the possessor of the social imagination to consider the private individual experiences and personal issues are actually linked with the structural arrangements of society. In addition to that, it allows the possessor to relate these elements with the social construction of time. (SOCY1002 lecture, 04/03/2008)
In the same manner, it explains to the possessor of the sociological imagination the realities and reasons of the existing social constructs. With reference to the social constructions of time, it was initially a taken-for-granted element of society. (SOCY1002 lecture, 04/03/2008) However, with the recent trends towards efficiency and effectiveness, time has been equated to financial returns and thus increased value in the past centuries.
In the end, as the angles of vision of the individual changes using the sociological imagination, his/her regard of the world expands. This is because he/she is no longer limited to the internal factors that contribute to his/her personal issues. He/she can view certain problems as a result of certain social realities and allows the possessor of the sociological imagination to determine such and address the bigger picture.
… no longer do things look the sameThrough the use of the sociological perspective and the sociological imagination, what people originally perceive as normal often reflects a considerably different image. For instance, the common sense view note technology as equated with advancement and development. However, to an individual using a sociological perspective or the sociological imagination, technology could be seen in both pessimistic and optimistic fashion. In effect, these individuals realise that there are some part of society that show “ambivalence” towards technology and not as a form of advancement. (SOCY1002 lecture, 09/04/2008)
This is the same with the issue of music. Normally, musical genres are categorised based on their “popularity.” (SOCY1002 lecture, 07/05/2008) To a common individual, this may be the case. However, with the use of the sociological perspective or the sociological imagination, one realises that “popularity” in the field of music is relative. Musical genres do have certain followers and are deemed popular in their own rights. The sociological perspective allows a person to veer away from being a mere cultural dope, leave their comfort zones and come to appreciate other genres. Studies on this matter realise that concurrent to the changes made in the environment, so as the shift of the common musical listener to high brow tastes. Social backgrounds become progressively less material in relations to musical tastes.
The taken-for-granted may take on an unfamiliar hueWith the sociological perspective, even the most mundane would be seen differently. For instance, the ubiquity of water tends people to regard it as a taken-for-granted element in their daily lives. However, history has ordained the presence of water as a coordinate of development, modernity and wealth. (SOCY1002 lecture, 28/05/2008) This is apparently accurate because aside from being an element of consumption, bodies of water tends to aid food production, leisure, water catchment, and even energy generation. This shows that the scarcity of such resource tend to reflect the economic standing of certain states and societies as seen in barren African territories. Thus, using the sociological perspective, the element of water is seen as a resource and possible a solution to the issues encountered by certain states.
Another mundane element that is often neglected and regarded as common is food. The sociological perspective, food is now regarded as a commodity. (SOCY1002 lecture, 30/04/2008) Particularly, on the lenses of the public, it has become an item to be bought; and on the part of the big corporations, an item to be sold. Studies even relate modern food as a reflection of modern living: fast paced and standardized. (Fearn and Graham, 2005, 305) This is seen primarily in the emergence of the fast-food industry and the increasing dependence of the public to their products.
ConclusionSociety is, in no way, a dreary subject to mull over. It is never static. It is an intricate set of elements that defines the human condition. It is, as Mills (SOCY1002 lecture, 27/2/2008) called as second hand worlds. It is in the use of this sociological perspective that the meanings of these worlds are made out and how it defines the overall behaviour of society. This shows the relevance of using the sociological perspective in everyday thinking. It shows the practicality of doing away with common sense and other forms of conventional thinking. In a sense, it allows people to realise that there is no other choice but to move forward in this “tight-wire” called life. (SOCY1002 lecture, 04/05/2008) It reminds people that recognising that there are better and more effective ways to exist. This is seen in the numerous sociological theories and paradigms honed by sociologists like Weber, Durkheim, and Marx. Their quest to explain the existing social realities and to the manner on which society operates explicitly shows the use of the sociological perspective. It manifests a desire to find better ways of dealing with these realities and attempted to explain how certain groups of individuals react. The existence of these different views on sociology essentially presents its relevance as it provides the priceless pledge to have a firm grasp on the realities of society.
ReferencesFearn, H., Graham, H. (2005) "Corporate Reputation: What Do Consumers Really Care About?". Journal of Advertising Research. 45(3)305-313
Hassard, J. and Rowlinson, M. (2000) “Marxist Political Economy, Revolutionary Politics and Labor Process Theory.” International Studies of Management & Organization. 30(4) 85-111
Peterson, P. (1994) “Karl Marx and His Vision of Salvation: The Natural Law and Private Property.” Review of Social Economy. 52(3)377-390
Swedberg, R. (2003) “The Changing Picture of Max Weber's Sociology.” Annual Review of Sociology. Volume 29 p283-306
Thompson, K. (2002) Emile Durkheim. Routledge. London.
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