SOC-4600 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Human Behavior, Social Forces

• School: Clemson University
• Department: Sociology
• Course: SOC-4600
• Professor: Vandermey

Document Summary

Sociology:scientific study of human groups, human behavior, human societies, human reactions, and relationships between groups. Brought in a new era of social thought. Shifted from theological to a more scientific thought. It was born to help make sense of changes, and anticipate effects of future changes. Human behavior is influenced by member & reference groups. There is a relationship between the physical environment and social behavior. The ability to make logical, reasoned sense of one of the basic assumptions of sociology. The ability to understand how larger social forces have direct and indirect bearing on our peoples" lives, personalities, behavior, and the choices they make. We have to consider historical periods, social structure, prevailing ideas, and culture itself. Forces us to think beyond ourselves, our preconceptions, and look anew, yet also helps us socially locate ourselves and others. We can better understand our fates, chances, and those people in the same circumstances.