SCIENCE

SOCIOLOGY AND THE OTHER


SOCIAL SCIENCES It is the application of systematic methods to obtain
knowledge and the knowledge obtained by those methods
SOCIOLOGY is a scientific study of society and human  A field of study concerned with describing and discovering
the world around us through facts or evidence
behavior

WHAT IS SOCIETY?
TWO
 SOCIETY IS A GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT SHARE A BRANCHES
CULTURE AND A TERRITORY. OF SCNECE

WHY WE STUDY?
Natural Social
 TO KNOW HOW THINGS INFLUENCES PEOPLE’S
LIVES. IT IS IN THE SOCIETY THAT WE GET TO SEE
AND FFEL THE EFFECTS OF CULTURE AND
POLITICS AT WORK.
Designed to comprehend,
Designed to understand the
WHAT IS CULTURE? explain, and oredict events in
social world
or natural environment

The way of life of people. the way they do things.

Impacts our values, behaviour, tradition, and beliefs.

SCIENCE IS FACTUAL AND AT THE SAME TIME TENTATIVE.

THE GOAL OF SCIENCE

IMPORTANCE Explain Phenomena
Studying it can help you think about the society you live in and how it
 Explaining phenomena is the main aim of science because
affects your life. It also allows students to investigates the different
it helps us understand how things work in the natural
complexities of human beings and give them the ability to see the
world, enabling us to make predictions and solve problems.
world in different perspective.

SOCIOLOGY
 NEEDS TO LOOK AT THE STRANGE AND
UNFAMILIAR IN ORDER TO UNDERSTAND HOW
THEY WORK AND TO UNCOVER PATTERNS AND
BEHAVIOR.
Make Generalization
 Generalizing is a goal of science as it allows us to apply
what we've learned from specific observations to broader
situations, helping us understand the world more broadly.
Predict Outcome

 Predicting outcomes is a goal of science because it helps us

anticipate and prepare for future events based on our
 SOCIOLOGIST WRITE ABOUT WHAT THEY THINK understanding of natural processes and patterns.
IS WRONG ABOUT OUR SOCIETY AND SUGGEST
WAYS TO CHANGE/SOLVE IT.

A scientist is never certain. ...We absolutely must

leave room for doubt or there is no progress and there is no learning.
 UNDERSTANDING THE WHOLE THING AND AT
EVERY LEVEL AND HOW THOSE LEVEL -Richard Feynman
INTERACT.
MEANING: This statement emphasizes that scientists should always
maintain a degree of uncertainty and doubt in their work. It's crucial
for progress and learning because it encourages questioning, further
WHAT MAKES SOCIOLOGY DIFFERENT FROM ANY SOCIAL exploration, and the possibility of discovering new knowledge. In
SCIENCES? essence, by acknowledging uncertainty, scientists remain open to
new ideas and advancements in their field.
It sets apart because it studies how society is developed, how it is
arranged, and how it functions.

The Social Sciences Involved in the Course

 imagination in our society is significant for
several reasons:

Focuses on Focuses on society Focuses on politics

POLITICAL SCIENCE
ANTHROPOLOGY

SOCIOLOGY
undesrstanding and human and government;  helps us understand human behavior by placing
culture through behavior; on examines how
artifacts, group, industrialized and governments are it within its broader social context.
structure, ideas post industrialized formed, how they
and values, and societies; looks at operate, how the
forms of various social are related to
communication institutions; other
stresses external
factors that affect
institutions.the
exercise of power
 enables us to grasp the connection between
individual an history and biography. Sociological imagination
behavior.
helps us connect our own life stories with the
history and society around us. It lets us see how
our personal experiences are influenced by big
historical events and how our actions can also
impact society. It's like looking at the bigger
picture to understand our own lives better and
make positive changes in the world.
Other Familiar Social Sciences
Economics
History - the broad stream of events where society is
Focuses on the production and distribution of material located
goods and services of a society.
Biography - our experiences within these historical
Psychology settings
Focuses on processes that occur within an individual; do
research on intelligence, emotions, perception,
memory, etc.; helps people resolve personal problems.
History is not the past. It is the present. We
carry our history with us. We are our history.
-James Baldwin

MEANING: Our history, which is not just a record of the past but a
living part of our present, influences our identities and the way our
world works today, reminding us that we carry its impact with us in
everything we do.

Stopping at the sociological imagination level is

not enough…it must be subjected to
confirmation.

MEANING: This statement suggests that having a sociological

imagination, which allows us to see connections between personal
experiences and society, is important, but it needs to be verified or
confirmed through research and evidence to be truly valid and useful.

The Value of the Sociological Imagination IMPORTANCE OF SOCIOLOGICAL

 It refers to the ability to see the connections
between individual experiences and larger social
forces and structures. The value of sociological
IMAGINATION
Understanding Social Issues: It helps individuals understand
that personal troubles are often connected to broader social
issues. And helps theorists identify and define sociological
problems. By connecting personal experiences to broader
social contexts, it allows theorists to see the relevance and
significance of certain issues. This often serves as the starting
point for theory development.
Application of Theories: Sociological imagination extends
beyond theory development to theory application. It
encourages sociologists to use theoretical insights to address
real-world social issues, offering solutions and
recommendations informed by a broader understanding of
societal dynamics.
Informed Citizenship: It equips citizens to be more informed
and engaged in the democratic process. A society where
people can analyze social issues critically is better equipped to
make informed choices about policies and governance.
Personal Growth: Developing a sociological imagination can
lead to personal growth by expanding one's perspective
beyond individual concerns and fostering a broader
understanding of the world.
In summary, the value of sociological imagination in our society lies
in its capacity to bridge the gap between personal experiences and
larger social structures, leading to greater empathy, critical thinking,
social awareness, and the potential for positive societal change.
The Theoretical Perspectives in
Sociology
WHAT IS A THEORY?
 a general statement about how some parts of the
world fit together and how they work
 an explanation of how two or more facts are related
to one another
WHAT DOES PERSPECTIVE MEAN?
 a particular attitude toward or way of regarding
something
 a point of view
IMPORATANCE OF THEORY
Theories in society are important because they help us
understand why things happen, predict what might happen in
the future, and find solutions to problems. They also
encourage us to think critically and make our society better.
Structural Functionalism Comte, Spencer, & Durkheim Merton
 Society is viewed as composed of various parts, each
with a function that, when fulfilled, contributes to
society’s equilibrium.
 Studies the society as a structure composed of
interconnected components designed to meet the
biological and social needs of the individuals in the
society. In short, society is made up of bunch of
moving parts that move together as one.
 focused on both structure— parts of society and
function—what each part does
HOW IS STRUCTURAL FUNCTIONALISM IMPORTANT
TO OUR SOCIETY?
 It explains the presence of peace and order in society
by highlighting how different elements and
institutions within the society work together to
maintain stability and equilibrium. Various social
structures such us laws, institution, cultural norms,
serve a specific function that contributes to the
overall harmony of the society, regulating behavior.
Manifest function
A manifest function refers to the intended, clear, and visible
purpose or consequence of a social institution, practice, or
action within a society. It's the recognized and planned
outcome that serves a specific function or role in that society.
For example, the manifest function of a school is to provide
education to students.
 Manifest functions are important in society because
they provide clear purposes and goals for social
activities, helping to organize and achieve specific
outcomes while maintaining stability and
accountability.
Latent function
A latent function refers to the unintended or secondary
consequences of a social institution, practice, or action within
a society. These outcomes are not the primary or explicit
purposes but can still have an impact on society. Latent
functions are often less obvious and may not be immediately
recognized.
 Latent functions are important because they reveal
unexpected consequences of social actions and
practices, helping us better understand and adapt to
the complexity of society.
Latent Dysfunction
A latent dysfunction refers to the unintended and often hidden
negative consequences or harmful effects of a social
institution, practice, or action within a society. These
consequences are not the primary or explicit purposes but can
have detrimental impacts on individuals or society as a whole.
 it helps us find hidden problems in society, make
better decisions, prevent harm, and improve our
policies for the well-being of everyone.
Social-Conflict
 Society is an arena of inequality that generates
conflict and change.
During Marx’s time
ü Society is composed of groups competing with
one another for scarce resources.
§ Bourgeoisie-small group of capitalists who own the means of production
§ Proletariat-mass of workers being exploited
Social-Conflict today
ü Opposing interests run through every layer of
society
ü Existence of constant struggle to determine
who has authority or influence.
IMPORTANCE
Social conflict is important because it can drive positive
changes, protect rights, and balance power in society by
highlighting issues, encouraging critical thinking, and
promoting accountability.
Why are there features of society that aren’t accessible to
some people?
Some people can't access certain aspects of society because of
inequalities, discrimination, and barriers, like money or
prejudice, that limit their opportunities.
Some members benefit more in society due to inequalities in
resources, opportunities, and power, which can lead to unequal
distribution of benefits. This happens because of factors like
wealth, discrimination, and social structures that favor certain
groups.
Symbolic-Interaction
ü Sees society as the product of the everyday
interactions of individuals.
ü Society is viewed as composed of symbols that
people use to establish meaning, develop their views of
the world, and communicate with one another.
ü use of symbols separates us
from animals
IMPORTANCE
symbols are the building blocks of human
communication and interaction, allowing us to express,
connect, and understand the world. Without symbols, it
would be very hard for people to talk to each other,
understand things, and work together in groups. It's like
taking away our tools for sharing ideas and getting
along.
How is meaning around our everyday
experiences made?
Meaning in our everyday experiences is created through
our interactions with others, our culture, our personal
views, and how we use language to describe and
understand what happens to us.
How does meaning affect ourthoughts, words, and
actions?
Thoughts: It shapes how we perceive and interpret
situations, guiding our mental responses.
Words: Meaning determines the words we choose to
express our thoughts and feelings, impacting how we
communicate.
Actions: It influences our behaviors by guiding our
decisions and choices, often aligning with the
significance we attach to events.
Why do we need more than one theory?
We need more than one theory because different theories
provide unique perspectives and insights to understand
complex phenomena from various angles.
When do we use which theoretical perspective?
We use different theoretical perspectives depending on
the specific aspect of a situation or phenomenon we
want to understand, as each perspective offers a distinct
lens for analysis.
“If the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to
see every problem as a nail.”
-Abraham Maslow

MEANING: This saying means that if you only have one way
of solving problems, you'll try to apply it to every problem,
even if it's not the best fit.

“Facts do not speak for themselves. They speak for or against

competing theories. Facts divorced from theories or visions
are mere isolated curiosities.”
-Thomas Sowell-

MEANING: This statement means that facts alone don't carry

meaning; their significance depends on the theories or perspectives
used to interpret them. Facts become meaningful when connected
to a larger framework or context.

Why is graft and corruption rampant

in Philippine government?

Structural Functionalism

Graft and corruption thrive in the Philippine government

due to weak institutions, economic disparities, and a lack
of accountability, causing a breakdown in the social
structure.

SymbolicInteraction

In some cases, symbols of wealth and success may be

associated with corruption, leading individuals to engage
in corrupt practices. In the Philippines, corruption
happens a lot because a small group of powerful people
controls money and uses their power to become even
wealthier. Meanwhile, most others don't have the ability
to prevent it.

Social-Conflict

Corruption is common in the Philippine government

because a small group of powerful people controls
resources and uses their influence to get richer, while
many others don't have the power to stop it.