Sociology: What Is It and How Does It Explain Your Daily Life?
"Whatever sociology may be, it is the result of constantly asking the question, 'What is the meaning of this?'"
C. Wright Mills
Looking at Everyday Life Through a Sociological Lens
Sociology is the study of human society, social relationships, and institutions. It is a highly diverse and multifaceted field that aims to understand the causes and consequences of human behaviour on both a micro level (individuals and small groups) and a macro level (societies and larger groups). Sociologists try to identify cultural patterns that influence people in a particular society to make certain choices rather than others.
For example, people in many Western societies are more likely to eat with cutlery than with their hands because using cutlery is considered the norm. If you were to eat with your hands in France, you might receive some strange looks. Even if you are not aware of it, you have been conditioned to eat with a knife and fork.
These are the unwritten rules that sociologists investigate in order to understand how societies function. Sociology involves questioning behaviours that seem normal to us simply because we grew up with them.
"The difficulty, in sociology, is to manage to think in a completely astonished and disconcerted way about things you thought you had always understood."
Pierre Bourdieu
However, sociologists do not only analyse customs at the dinner table. They also examine topics such as religion, relationships, race and social class. Sociology is the study of all forms of social behaviour, from the relationship between a mother and her child to the influence of religion on society. It explores issues from various perspectives, creating a complex network of interconnected causes that shape our individual choices.
Let us take motherhood in South Korea as an example. If traditional gender roles were strictly followed, every woman would have a child. However, that is not the case. In fact, South Korea had a fertility rate of just 0.72 in 2023, the lowest in the world. A sociologist might analyse economic, gender-related, cultural and historical factors to understand the reasons behind this phenomenon. The findings of such research can then be used to address these issues and tackle their root causes.
While conducting research, it is important to remember that although sociologists are expected to remain neutral, many believe that complete objectivity is impossible. Instead, researchers acknowledge and disclose potential biases that may have influenced their findings.
This demonstrates how complex and nuanced the study of sociology is, which makes it all the more fascinating. Observing other people and trying to interpret their behaviour is something anyone can do. So, the next time you are eating dinner with your friends or family, pay close attention to their habits and try to find an explanation for them.
Author: Anna Noori Olivieri
Editor & Publisher: Lucía Lobato
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