Intro to Sociology response paper 1

Ralph Papillon

Response Paper 1 – Chapter 1 and 2

Sociology is a social science just like my choice of major, Psychology. Although they may be two different social sciences, I think what I will learn from sociology will keep me more open minded on society as a whole. It will also give me more practice with collecting and analyzing information. Sociology is defined as the study of behavior and human groups. During the course this year I expect for our Professor to have us view specific groups/societies and look at them in depth, regarding relationships and influences within them.

Sociology can be observed in just about any situation. This means that situations I go through from day to day can be viewed in different sense from what I learn in this course. Sociological imagination will probably be a very important concept to keep in mind throughout the course. Looking at a situation through one perspective can often lead to bias because of personal experience. In my major, psychology I know that being open minded and being able to view something from a different perspective would be important. I expect that we will look at the sociologist perspective in more depth throughout the course, such as

Just like most other sciences, sociology uses the scientific method approach to gather information and analyze it. Some examples would be learning how to conduct surveys that would be both reliable and valid. Another important way would be conducting experiments to gather information and analyze it. The same approach is also used in my major psychology. Hopefully this course will give me more practice for future psychology and other science classes. It would help not only for the future of my education but possibly for my career in psychology where I would most likely need to know how to competently collect and interpret data.

Another important way I see this course helping me for the future of my education the disregard of common sense. Sociologists do not accept that “everyone knows it” when it comes to specific ideas. The method of sociologists is to rely on gathering scientific data to study environments and communities’ societies. This way of thinking is how a successful scholar should have their mindset. Ideas and information cannot always be simply assumed. In many assignments for classes you have to elaborate on why you are taking a side on something. Learning about the mindset needed for sociology, can make the approach to writing a paper much easier. Backing up a proposed idea through gathering information the proper way is a skill any college student would need.

I think sociology is a very important course to take personally as a freshman starting college. At the moment I am approaching the “real world” and will that the relationships I have with people are becoming very important and that they all relate to one another. If sociologists are able to guide the government through natural disasters, I bet learning some sociology myself would be very beneficial to my life. The relationships that I find myself in at this time of life will likely have a big impact on my future. The skills I learn from this sociology class can be an aid on deciding the path that I want to be on for my future. Being more aware of who I am, who I am with, and what I do. Without learning sociology I probably would not be able to go in life more open minded in the way that situations in my life are more than just personal. Learning sociology will also help me understand the people linked to me much better. (friends, family, classmates, etc)