Sociological Persepctives

Sociology is the study of science and is the method of enquiry and explanation. Sociological perspectives are different explanations of how society works that have been developed over time. A perspective is a particular way of looking at things, seeing things from a certain viewpoint. Each perspective provides a different model of society.

Terminology

Social structures

Social structure can be viewed as the sum of its social institutions and organisations through society which society is organised and administrated for the benefit of the people who live within that particular society. This can include major building blocks, including the family, the education system, work and the economic system, the political system, religious groups and the mass media.

Sociologists are concerned with the way these institutions relate to each other and influence our behaviour. Sociologists are concerned with describing the different forms of the family in our society, the changes that are taking place within the family, how it influences our behaviour and how it relates to other institutions: For example, our family background may influence our attitudes, religious beliefs, and achievements within the education system, employment prospects and indeed our health and well-being. Within these institutions there are smaller groups which influence our behaviour, for example, our family group, friendship or peer groups and groups formed at school, college or work.

Social Diversity

Social diversity consists of individuals and groups of people who differ according to a wide range of factors such as gender, cultural and ethnic background, social class and also age. In sociology, the term is used to describe hierarchies and inequalities in societies – it highlights that some groups of people are seen as having more status and prestige than other groups. People who are identified as being of higher status are often more wealthy and have easier access to the possessions and way of life most valued in that society. Almost all known societies have some form of stratification and a sense of some groups being of higher status than others.

Socialization

Socialization is the process through which people learn the social rules and expectations of behaviour in society. Social rules are often referred to as social or behavioral norms because they are agreed as the accepted and appropriate way to behave and conduct oneself. These social rules are often unspoken, but reflect what is considered to be important.

Sociologists have been particularly interested in the link between our social class position and other aspects of our lives – the link between social class and educational achievement, lifestyle choices