In Chapter 1 in his textbook Sociology- A Brief Introduction, Schaefer outlines his ideas on the basics of sociology and their specific sub-headings. There are some 28 items and we can select four of these to examine in more detail what is actually meant by these headings.
Firstly, we have Anomie. This term goes back to the first major study by Durkheim into suicide. In general terms Durkheim sees it as a loss of direction in society when the normal social control over an individual is not properly working. This is often referred to in strain theory when an individual in society cannot progress their ambitions through existing means or resources in society as a whole.
Secondly we can choose another term Basic Sociology means the aim of and objective of investigation to secure a deepening understanding aspects of social normal and special features. It is often referred to as Pure Sociology. This term can include the situation of individuals and groups and how they are considered in terms of society as a whole.
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A third and very important aspect of sociology which has prompted many book and articles in the Sociology world and that is Feminist Perception. This is an approach which accepts that there was and has been up to now inequality towards the female gender and is a crucial consideration in ant modern study of individuals or groups, their behavioral activity as well as their interaction with male counterparts.
Lastly we consider Dysfunction. This is where the systems and resources associated with society may reduce and hamper some individual and groups. We have all heard the term “a dysfunctional family” which has come to describe where groups, families or individuals do not fit in with the normal accepted models of society and this may be through no fault of their own.
Part of this essay involves watching a video of Christakis The Sociological Science Behind Social Networks and Social Influence. The video is almost an hour long in its introduction to sociology. This may be an introduction but it requires careful consideration and good concentration by the viewer. The video for examples, cover suicide and reference is made again by the author to Durkheim’s work on this subject. It raises many aspects to the topic that may not be obvious to the viewer such as many attempted suicides who initially wanted to die on recovery went on to lead relatively normal and fulfilling lives. One associates suicide with an individual being outside and hostile to society. However, many suicides left notes apologizes to the social authorities for the work they will have to undertake as a result of the suicide in question.
Christakis goes on to deal with the obesity crises and following examples of cluster examination that it is often the case that an individual can be influenced by friends and family in their progression into obesity. The video stresses social networks play a major role on an individual however much the individual may claim otherwise. It goes on to consider the question of animals and even plant life in collective and individual behavior.
The video is a lot to absorb for a new student in sociology but is well worth the effort as it is thought-provoking throughout.
I learned from the video the importance of an individual or group in social interaction. It struck me forcible that sociology demonstrates however independent we are we are shaped by society as a whole.
Christakis clearly believes that sociology can be properly used to study epidemics such as the obesity crisis which forms a major aspect of the video. The obesity crisis has resulted from people absorbing far more calories intake than they are expending. This could be due to a number of factors such as fast food, cheapness of the food, lack of exercise or following others in neglect of their personal health and life-style.
Durkheim in 1897 wrote the first major work in society on suicide. He was the first to argue the case for the influence of social factors rather the personality of the individual committer of suicide. His seminal work has had a huge impact on suicide and sociology in the many authors who have followed him.
It would be interesting to me to have sociologists studying my childhood with particular reference to interaction with my parents, siblings and friends.
- Chistakis, N: The Social Science Behind Social Networks and Groups.
Youtube.com. (2012). - Schaefer, R.T. (2013). Sociology A Brief Introduction. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
