Sociology – sample answers

Task 2  –  Suggested Answers

 

  1. What was Auguste Comte hoping to do by creating the subject of “Sociology”.

Comte wished to study society in a systematic way. He thought that if society could be studied in the same way that other sciences are, such as biology, it would allow changes to be made which would benefit all of those in society.  He saw society as an object which was possible to study in a dispassionate way.

  1. How could society be seen as both big and small?

We all experience society as individuals on a ‘small’ and individual level.  All of our experiences are unique and are only truly understood by us as an individual. However, the choices we make, such as the music we listen to, are all within a context.  It is understanding that social context which governs and provides a context for the choices we make, we see a much bigger picture from which we can draw overall conclusions. 

  1. What makes Sociology different to other social sciences such as Psychology?

Sociology is interested in seeing your social group characteristics.  As Sociologists we are not interested if somebody personally goes to church to worship or not (the individual), but we are interested in whether in general more or fewer people are going to church (the social).

  1. What is meant by the phrase, ‘Seeing strange in familiar’?

This is how we should approach studying society/sociology.  We need to look at the world and our society as if we are seeing it for the first time. Why do people shake hands (why have they stopped shaking hands).  We see things as common sense, but that common sense is a social construction. For example, it used to be seen as common sense that women did not vote, but now that would be seen as antiquated and odd.  Common sense changes.  It is our job as sociologists it to understand why and how it changes.

  1. Identify 5 big changes in the UKs social characteristics since 1970s.

Divorce rate has doubled; same sex marriage is allowed; cohabitation is the norm; 75% of women work outside of the home compared with 32% in 1970; Chinese students are the highest academic achievers; more people go to university than ever before (48%); Islam is the fastest growing religion.

  1. What is meant by, ‘social location’.

This is seeing yourself in relation to others in society through key characteristics such as gender, social class, ethnicity and age.  This changes with time for both the individual but also for the individuals who share that characteristic.  Social location changes and can be changed through social policy changes and a shift in culture, norms and values.

  1. Identify and list 5 different types of inequality.

Gender, sexuality, ethnicity, social class, economic, age, race, (dis)ability.

  1. What is the link between Sociology and Social Policy.

Some sociologists argue that social policy is the ‘medicine’ for society as it can ‘cure’ its ills.  Others argue that Sociology is a pure academic discipline and it is irrelevant for Social Policy which is a political tool. 

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