Sociology: Real Science

It is far more often that one would ask, “what is sociology?” as opposed to “what is biology?” Some believe that sociology is more of a pseudo-science, similar to astrology, but there is no question that sociology is a real science. Many sciences have advanced humanity, such biology and physics. Sociology, being a relativity new science, has also improved many aspects of humanity. If humans were like robots, everyone exactly the same, both physically and mentally, there might not be a need for sociology. But this is not the case, our world is populated by over 7 billion humans. Each individual is unique, independent and have a mind of their own. When a group of people are involved with each other, either by sharing the same geographical

It is analyzing the facts to find repeating patterns, to then formulate theories and reasons. For example, in biology, to study the growth of plants in different environments would require experiments and tests to collect specific data to prove a hypothesis and determine the variables that affect the outcome. In sociology, to study the rising foreclosure rate in a neighborhood would require a researcher to observe the everyday life of members, conduct large-scale surveys, process historical documents, analyze census data, and interview members of the society. The data can then surface trends and patterns that can lead to powerful insights of social issues and prospects. With better understanding of these social issues, we come to understand more clearly the forces shaping the personal experiences and outcomes of our own

The knowledge can enable a person to see how the social world is organized and structured, which can highlight the connections between one’s personal life and the world. For instance, a high school student may wonder why a college would reject a student with better academic standing but accept another student with lower grades. Since everyone is part of some form of society, by understanding how the social world works, it is possible to make a change in one’s society. The change could be in a society as small as one’s household or workplace, or as large as one’s country, or even the world. The knowledge of sociology also enables a person to analyze societies in a larger context or from a different perspective. When a person is faced with a social issue and applies only he or her personal perspective, many contributing factors are ignored. Many American puzzled why the Unites States government spent billions of taxpayers’ dollars to bail failing businesses is an example of personal perspective. Rather than viewing our world only through one lens, sociologists view the world through lenses that combine diverse perspectives. With a better understanding of sociology, a person is able to identify new connections and factors that have an effect on issues not known before, which can help a person make more justified decisions. Sociology can also explain many important matters in our personal lives, such as romantic