Getting On The Same Page

Getting On The Same Page “N of One” Sociology and Other “Human Studies” Fields Sociology and Journalism Sociology and Psychology

“N” Of One What Is An “N”? The US has nearly 197 million Whites Sample Size (N) is 702 Whites

“N” Of One A Bell Curve Talking About Social Actors’ Central Tendencies

Anthropology Tend to study small, preindustrial societies. Economics Tend to study (only) the creation, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. History Tend to study past events (again without scientific method) rather than broad social phenomena. Political Science Tend to study the forces affecting or shaping political systems and political behavior. Sociology Vs. Other Fields

Essential Difference Journalists can look at the unique situation. Sociologists try to find generalities that can be applied to other similar cases. • Audience General public vs. other sociologists • Focus Methods of investigation, theories of explanation, and claims of originality • Approach Use of the scientific method (coming up with hypotheses, testing those hypotheses, ensuring they are verifiable) Sociology Vs. Journalism

Essential Difference Psychology tends to seek nature-al causes. Sociology tends to seek nurture-al ones. • Unit Of Analysis Psychology: Individuals Sociology: Groups Of Individuals & Institutions • Why Behavior Differences? Psychology: Personality, emotions, and aptitude Sociology: Social dynamics and social context • Theoretical Approach Psychology: Narrow & Specific Sociology: General & Conceptual Marx Sociology Vs. Psychology Weber Durkheim Dubois

Suicide Rates The National Institute Of Mental Health (2009) says: “The number one risk factor for suicide is depression and other mental disorders. More than 90% of people who die by suicide have these risk factors” Sociological Imagination The ability to see the relationship between individual experience (personal troubles) and the larger society (public issues) CLEARLY something else is going on here. • Older White men commit suicide at the highest rates of any population group. Widowhood, illness, and social isolation are common risk factors. • Living alone and being single increases suicide risk. Divorced and separated people are more likely than married ones to commit suicide. • Religion seems to protect people against suicide. This works for both people who are “spiritual” but don’t go to church much and for those who attend services. • There are 1100 suicides (and 24k attempts) on college campuses every year and it is the SECOND LEADING CAUSE of death (after accidents). Suicides more prevalent in elite schools. More seniorsthan freshmen and more graduate students than undergrads. Duh. Why Do People Kill Themselves? Data from US Dept of Health and Human Services

Sociological Imagination The ability to see the relationship between individual experience and the larger society

Emile Durkheim 1897 EGOISTIC Society Is Too Weak Two Kinds Of SuicideAffected By Social Integration ALTRUISTIC Society Is Too Strong

Getting On The Same Page