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2: Theoretical Approaches in Practice

  • Page ID
    43036
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    Learning Objectives

    At the end of the module, you will be able to:

    • identify ways sociology is applied in the real world.
    • describe the macro, meso, and micro levels of analysis.
    • understand the similarities and differences between the theoretical paradigms in sociology.
    • use the sociological paradigms to identify and determine appropriateness of problem-solving approach and intervention.

    Developing a sociological imagination helps us understand how our history and biography influences our individual thinking and behavior. By understanding how our personal perspective or viewpoint develops, we are also able to understand how history and biography influences the perspective or viewpoint of others. Recognizing the effect of history and biography on people aids us in grasping the effect personal struggles and issues have on a person’s thinking and behavior.

    • 2.1: Levels of Analysis
      Sociological practitioners work on improving conditions for individuals and society as a whole. Basic, public, and applied sociologists gather research on personal issues to develop a framework for understanding public or social problems and possible solutions for improving human social life on a large scale. Public and applied sociologists specifically use scientific research to solve and improve social plights or conditions.
    • 2.2: Theoretical Approaches
      Paradigms are theoretical frameworks explaining society (Griffiths et al. 2015). These frameworks are perspectives, a way of observing and examining people and the world through different lenses. As a sociological practitioner, you must learn to use and apply sociological theories to understand and evaluate people and their social situations or conditions from an objective viewpoint to identify appropriate interventions.
    • 2.3: Using a Sociological Perspective
      Organizations hire sociological practitioners to design new programs or evaluate existing ones. As a practitioner, you will need to use a sociological imagination to analyze a program’s social condition or situation, its parts, and possible solutions. You will be responsible for examining the condition from the perspective of others including organizational administrators, staff, clients, and community affected to assist you in designing or evaluating the program.
    • 2.4: References, Key Terms and Concepts

    Thumbnail: This image "Person Holding Magnifying Glass" by Mauricio Mascaro is licensed under CC BY 4.0


    This page titled 2: Theoretical Approaches in Practice is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Vera Kennedy.

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