by NikoRad

Created on: October 21, 2009   Last Updated: October 24, 2009

Sociology is a science focused on humans that systematically studies their behavior to find patterns, which are then used in an attempt to explain both individual and social phenomenon. The fact that it is a science separates the field of sociology from simply being a gathering of expert opinions - all studies must conform to the scientific method to ensure maximum credibility of the results. Another major difference between sociology and everyday thinking is that sociologists approach their studies with something called a 'sociological imagination.' This method of thinking involves an understanding of the relationship between an individual and the larger society around him or her. By using the sociological imagination, one is able to see that there are many connections between an individual and the cultural society that he or she lives in. Using this method, we can learn things about a society by simply observing an individual, or inversely, learn things about an individual by knowing more about the society that they live in and how it has affected their life. The sociological imagination stresses that it is important to see the bigger picture in all social events.

A major topic of sociological studies is looking into issues and problems. Issues are debatable items that usually involve at least two different views - good and bad - by opposing sides, whether groups or individuals. Problems are debatable items that have no good sides, with disagreement only on methods of a solution. Understanding how both can be social or personal requires the knowledge of two terms. The first term is 'personal efficacy', which refers to the amount of control an individual person has to correct a problem/issue, ranging from high to low. The second term is 'locus of control', which describes the level at which a problem/issue can be worked out or helped, ranging from individual to global.

A personal issue/problem has a high level of personal efficacy for correction, and the locus of control is towards the individual level. An example of this would be a smoker who is trying to quit smoking. The ability to change is completely in the smoker's control, so personal efficacy is high; and the change does not have to be global, just a personal change in habit, so the locus of control is at an individual level.

Conversely, a social issue/problem has a low level of personal efficacy for correction, and the locus of control is at a much bigger level, from citywide, to statewide,

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