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4: Working with Diverse Groups

  • Page ID
    43038
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    Learning Objectives

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

    • understand the personal characteristics for a successful career in sociology.
    • recognize the professional skills and competencies required in sociological practice.
    • define professional code of ethics.
    • evaluate and apply ethical standards in sociological practice.

    Careers for sociologists are diverse and sometimes nontraditional (Viola and McMahon 2010). Sociologists are trained to help people and organizations assess and improve their social condition or situation. As agents of change, sociologists must develop an understanding of investigational methods, measurements, and social relationships to help clients and communities narrow the gap between their current condition and what they need (Bellman 1990). Overall, a sociologist’s work focuses on helping people by adding value and expertise in research, data collection, and analysis about social issues and potential solutions.

    • 4.1: Skills and Competencies in Sociological Practice
      Sociologists are trained to help people and organizations assess and improve their social condition or situation. As agents of change, sociologists must develop an understanding of investigational methods, measurements, and social relationships to help clients and communities narrow the gap between their current condition and what they need. Sociologists focus on helping people by adding value and expertise in research, data collection, and analysis about social issues and potential solutions.
    • 4.2: Code of Ethics
      Ethics are a set of concepts and principles that guide social behavior. To avoid cultural and religious bias or judgment, society uses shared ethical ideologies as guides in reasoning ethical issues. Ethical life emerges from the human capacity and cognitive ability to comprehend the effect of helping or harming others (Paul and Elder 2005).
    • 4.3: References, Key Terms and Concepts

    Thumbnail: This image "Boy and Girl Sitting on Bench Toy" by June Intharoek is licensed under CC BY 4.0


    This page titled 4: Working with Diverse Groups 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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