Sociological Analysis

Asks questions
Organize Thoughts
Collect information
and evidences

Take Action
Analyze and Establish
Patterns /Make
Generalizations)
Predict
Possible
Outcomes
Reflection
Deal with
consequences
Sociology: Areas of Study
Social Interactions of
people within groups
(micro-sociological
theories)

Patterns of social
actions (meso- or
middle range
theories)

Perpetuation of
societies and culture
(macro- and meta-
sociology)
Science
Knowledge gained through systematic
study

Study dealing with body of truths
or facts systematically arranged
and showing the operations of
general laws
Three Principles of Science
Empiricism knowledge
being derived from direct
experience or controlled
observation

Objectivity observations
are derived independent of
ones own beliefs, values
and personal biases

Ethical Neutrality
impartiality towards any
individual or groups and
their personal interests
Limits of Scientific Approach in
the Study of Social Phenomena
Humans are self-
aware and capable
of changing
behavior at choice

Sociologists have
their own biases.



Generalizations,
explanations and
predictions become
difficult to make

SOCIOLOGICAL
IMAGINATION as
Additional
Requirement for
Sociological Studies
Sociological Imagination
Is.
a mindset that locates ones
experiences within the historical
period or context in which one lives
Sociological Imagination
is.
Seeing the general in
particular
Philippines
India
What is the commonly
experienced problem ?
Sociological Imagination is.
Poverty is manifested through lack of
basic needs, in this case, shelter

Poverty affects children the most

Poverty is experienced by
countries/societies which have gone
through colonization
Seeing the strange in the familiar
What is unique
about the problem,
which we take for
granted?
Sociological Imagination is.
Identifying social facts
Realities that are collectively
shared and exerts influence
on people through his/her
consciousness

Structures that have become
external and independent of
the individual (i.e.,
objectified)

As objects can be
subjected to empirical
observations

Structures that people
create and eventually
consider as inviolable
givens and their
effects on the behavior
of people

Sociological Imagination is.
What social facts affect peoples
behavior?

Culture (values, beliefs, practices)

Systems and Procedures (e.g., laws, norms, policies, etc.)

Structures (e.g., politics, economy, religion, etc.)
Some examples

Culture (fatalism, children as social insurance, etc.)

Systems and Procedures (e.g., housing laws, etc.)

Structures (e.g., politics, where illegal settlers serve as
source of votes)
How are Social Facts Formed?

Humans create reality that becomes
external and independent of them and
assumed coercive power over them

Exist only as they are shared by a group of
people (i.e., the collective) and exerts
influence to individuals only through their
consciousness
How to Identify Social Facts ?
Since these are products of human activities, can be
realized only by observing human behavior across different
time periods and different settings:

Characterized by elements essential to their nature (i.e.,
by empirical proofs and observations) and not by
intellectual conformity

Comprised of groups of phenomena, which must be
categorized and whose relationship should be defined

Causes or functions of the phenomena must be defined
to come up with holistic explanation of things

Since they are external to individuals, can be objectified
(i.e., examined from a detached perspective)
IMPORTANCE OF SOCIOLOGICAL
IMAGINATION
Helps us assess the truth of common sense

Helps us understand that society significantly
influence our life chances

Enables us to identify and understand social
forces affecting our personal choices in our lives

Allows us to understand and be more tolerant of
the diversities of people around us