sociology is the scientific/systematic
study of society (human interaction)
sociology differs from other disciplines
such as biology, psychology, economics
biology focuses on innate characteristics
(genetics, bio-chemical explanations, etc.)
psychology focuses on personal
characteristics (the mind)
sociology: individualistic
explanations do not solve (or explain) the problem
Everyday social life--our thoughts, actions., feelings, decisions, interactions and so on--is the product of a complex interplay between societal forces and personal characteristics.
Individuals interact with each other and with the larger societal forces around them. Our choices are effected, shaped and sometimes determined by forces around us (peers, family expectations, media, fashion, etc.) Does this mean individuals are powerless against the society? Can individuals initiate social change? Do we have agency?
Our experiences do not come from within us as independent of things that surround us. Otherwise we would have the same experiences if we were born and raised in an Indian village, Amazon tribe, Sweden or China instead of America.
some problems are social problems that can not be solved by trying to solve individual cases without changing the structure of society.
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