Sociology
The course of Sociology had a meaning to individual at personal level in that it endeavored to study the development of human institution holistically. For this reason, sociology studies the norms, values and interactions between people in the society (Hughes, 2005). Therefore the behaviour of individuals in the society is taken into consideration with taking account the environment in which they live in and the individuals daily interaction. It is through sociology that individuals learn how to interact with others and critically think on social symbols and their interpretation. At a personal level, sociology empowers an individual to not only understand the norms and values of a certain society but also appreciate them. Equally important is the understanding of the social stratification in the society an individual understands the various classes in society and how they come about through the study of sociology.
Through studying sociology it can be understood that the society functions as an organism which has various parts and there is the need for all the parts to function together for effectiveness and efficiency (Ritzer, 1993). With this understanding, the studying of sociology enables people to understand the trends in various societies and why people in specific societies behave the way they do. It is through the study of sociology that people come to the understanding that societies usually have shared norms and values as highlighted by the functionalism discipline. People will therefore endeavor to know the social norms and values of a society-culture- before handling or commenting about the behaviors that manifest in a society.
Through the study of sociology, people tend to understand why certain groups dominate over others. By understanding the conflict theory, people are able to understand how the society is maintained, dominated and manipulated by dominant groups (Brill, 1993). This therefore results to a conflict that is triggered by the subordinate groups that need to overthrow the dominant group with the aim creating a balanced or equality in the society. The contradiction that emanate between functionalism and conflict theory tend to equip an individual with a two sided view of the society in this case. While conflict theory brings out the conflict that arise form the conflicting status of the social standing, functionalism assumes a self-maintaining order which emphasis on the smoothness of all the parts of the society working together with no fuss. It is to this effect that people who have studied sociology understand the reason for conflict in the society.
The study of sociology also enables people to understand the environment they are living in. Functionalism assumes that systems maintain their environmental boundaries and in case of conflict one of the parties tends to adapt to the other (Holmwood, 2005). This is evident in that the society tends to maintain the status quo which is clearly demarcated by physical boundaries for instance, we have residential areas for the poor and those of the rich.
The environment in which people interact with cannot only be looked in a vacuum. The people who interact in the environment are equally of essence in that the society is a unit which contains individuals who interact (Hughes, 2005), according to symbolic interactionism. This, in essence means that the activities people do are a reflection of their daily interactions in the society. Thus the problem of identity is an issue this theory (symbolic interactionism) seeks to deal with. In relation to crime and poverty, for instance, this theory is right to some extent in that it shows that interactions are important in shaping individuals character. This partially explains how poor people influence each other in the environment they live in and accelerate crime. This also can be seen when one individual succeeds in criminal activities and influences those they interact with. People who study sociology are in essence furnished with the information from this theory since indeed it proves that social interaction has enormous impact in shaping the perception of individuals. Its weakness however is that it does not take care of some of the traits that can be said to be inherent like when a particular family is identified as having a tendency of producing thieves. This leaves a begging question Is crime an inheritance problem or a social problem (like poverty)
On the other hand structural functionalism enables people to understand that since the society is founded on values, similar traits can be manifested in a society. For instance, by understanding this aspect, people get to know and explain why some areas can be identified as prone to crime while others are identified with a class of dignity. If for instance people in a crime prone area (environment) condemns criminals and vilify them then there is a possibility of a change in the criminal behavior which is perceived as a norm. The understanding of this enables people who study sociology to understand these social disparities.
In the endeavor of understanding relationships and environment, conflict theory tend to see society as if it is controlled by strong authorities who can force people to do what they do not like the society is controlled by the powerful (Lauer, 2008). The environment manifesting gangsters is thus brought out from this scenario by reacting to the oppressive dominant group. This explains why poor environments have groups in form of gangs fighting to dominate their domains. These groups fight for control of criminal activities like peddling drugs and do whatever it takes (even kill those who try to fight back) to dominate the areas. Indeed these groups are motivated to do whatever they do because of the money they get from these criminal activities.
Equally important sociology tends to enable people to understand the importance of symbols in the society (James, 1997). People have the capacity to modify the symbols they use for interaction and thus dictate the interpretation of the situation they put themselves in. It is to this effect that, the society creates specific symbols which it uses to reflect and judge others, the culture of people not withstanding.
The relationship between individual and gender disparities is also brought out by considering conflict theory in the sense that the struggle for power and resources make the society engage in a form of conflict. This creates an oppressive relationship between the people who have power and those who do not. This therefore creates inequality in the society and thus social stratification. In this regard, the conflict theorists key concepts are capitalism, inequalities and social stratification (Hughes, 2005). People who have studied sociology in essence understand why dominant groups have the power to make the rules and decide who should be rewarded in the society and also how they manipulate the social system.
Through studying sociology it can be understood that the society functions as an organism which has various parts and there is the need for all the parts to function together for effectiveness and efficiency (Ritzer, 1993). With this understanding, the studying of sociology enables people to understand the trends in various societies and why people in specific societies behave the way they do. It is through the study of sociology that people come to the understanding that societies usually have shared norms and values as highlighted by the functionalism discipline. People will therefore endeavor to know the social norms and values of a society-culture- before handling or commenting about the behaviors that manifest in a society.
Through the study of sociology, people tend to understand why certain groups dominate over others. By understanding the conflict theory, people are able to understand how the society is maintained, dominated and manipulated by dominant groups (Brill, 1993). This therefore results to a conflict that is triggered by the subordinate groups that need to overthrow the dominant group with the aim creating a balanced or equality in the society. The contradiction that emanate between functionalism and conflict theory tend to equip an individual with a two sided view of the society in this case. While conflict theory brings out the conflict that arise form the conflicting status of the social standing, functionalism assumes a self-maintaining order which emphasis on the smoothness of all the parts of the society working together with no fuss. It is to this effect that people who have studied sociology understand the reason for conflict in the society.
The study of sociology also enables people to understand the environment they are living in. Functionalism assumes that systems maintain their environmental boundaries and in case of conflict one of the parties tends to adapt to the other (Holmwood, 2005). This is evident in that the society tends to maintain the status quo which is clearly demarcated by physical boundaries for instance, we have residential areas for the poor and those of the rich.
The environment in which people interact with cannot only be looked in a vacuum. The people who interact in the environment are equally of essence in that the society is a unit which contains individuals who interact (Hughes, 2005), according to symbolic interactionism. This, in essence means that the activities people do are a reflection of their daily interactions in the society. Thus the problem of identity is an issue this theory (symbolic interactionism) seeks to deal with. In relation to crime and poverty, for instance, this theory is right to some extent in that it shows that interactions are important in shaping individuals character. This partially explains how poor people influence each other in the environment they live in and accelerate crime. This also can be seen when one individual succeeds in criminal activities and influences those they interact with. People who study sociology are in essence furnished with the information from this theory since indeed it proves that social interaction has enormous impact in shaping the perception of individuals. Its weakness however is that it does not take care of some of the traits that can be said to be inherent like when a particular family is identified as having a tendency of producing thieves. This leaves a begging question Is crime an inheritance problem or a social problem (like poverty)
On the other hand structural functionalism enables people to understand that since the society is founded on values, similar traits can be manifested in a society. For instance, by understanding this aspect, people get to know and explain why some areas can be identified as prone to crime while others are identified with a class of dignity. If for instance people in a crime prone area (environment) condemns criminals and vilify them then there is a possibility of a change in the criminal behavior which is perceived as a norm. The understanding of this enables people who study sociology to understand these social disparities.
In the endeavor of understanding relationships and environment, conflict theory tend to see society as if it is controlled by strong authorities who can force people to do what they do not like the society is controlled by the powerful (Lauer, 2008). The environment manifesting gangsters is thus brought out from this scenario by reacting to the oppressive dominant group. This explains why poor environments have groups in form of gangs fighting to dominate their domains. These groups fight for control of criminal activities like peddling drugs and do whatever it takes (even kill those who try to fight back) to dominate the areas. Indeed these groups are motivated to do whatever they do because of the money they get from these criminal activities.
Equally important sociology tends to enable people to understand the importance of symbols in the society (James, 1997). People have the capacity to modify the symbols they use for interaction and thus dictate the interpretation of the situation they put themselves in. It is to this effect that, the society creates specific symbols which it uses to reflect and judge others, the culture of people not withstanding.
The relationship between individual and gender disparities is also brought out by considering conflict theory in the sense that the struggle for power and resources make the society engage in a form of conflict. This creates an oppressive relationship between the people who have power and those who do not. This therefore creates inequality in the society and thus social stratification. In this regard, the conflict theorists key concepts are capitalism, inequalities and social stratification (Hughes, 2005). People who have studied sociology in essence understand why dominant groups have the power to make the rules and decide who should be rewarded in the society and also how they manipulate the social system.
