Sociological perspective is the most general paradigm (a point of view, a distinct way of thinking) specific to the field of sociology. Sociological perspective focuses not on individuals but their group, or society, and attempts to explain human social structures, including cultural and governmental institutions and forms of activity and interpersonal relations using social facts or social forces.

Rubington (2002) defines sociological perspective as "a way of looking at things. [... It includes a basic orienting idea from which one's conceptualization and analysis follow, and it reflects a particular set of ideas and assumptions regarding the nature of people and society".

Sociological perspective means that the sociologists are not limited to common sense knowledge, they try to investigate what lies beyond the commonly accepted reality and understand some of the rules that govern human behaviour in the society.

Social scientists usually follow one or more of the several specific sociological paradigms.

See also

• Sociological imagination

References

• Introduction to sociological perspective for students by Phil Bartle last retrieved on 17th December, 2005
• The Sociological Perspective at Sociology Central last retrieved on 17th December, 2005
• Earl Rubington, Martin S. Weinberg, 'The Study of Social Problems : Seven Perspectives', Oxford University Press, 2002, ISBN 0195142195

Further reading

• Joel Charon, 'Ten Questions: A Sociological Perspective', Fourth Edition. Wadsworth, 2000.
• Earl Babbie, 'The Practice of Social Research', 10th edition, Wadsworth, Thomson Learning Inc., ISBN 0534620299

External links

• The Sociological Perspective: University of Missouri

Sociology