Here’s one account of how Social Science has helped Jaya Gajparia manage the daily racism she has experienced growing up in the UK. She says that sociology has provided her a range of tools to have a dialogue with others … Continue reading How Social Science Fights Racism
Social science helps to improve people’s lives by addressing health, education, business and other fields. In particular, it provides tools to measure social dynamics. That is, it provides insight about how societies and social relationships work. Social science integrates nature and the environment as well as individual will, the mind, and community relationships.
Continue reading “What is Social Science?”
Continue reading “The Excitement of Sociology”“However, much of the time the sociologist moves in sectors of experience that are familiar to him [sic] and to most people in his society… It is not the excitement of coming upon the totally unfamiliar, but rather the excitement of finding the familiar becoming transformed in its meaning. The fascination of sociology lies on the fact that its perspective makes us see in a new light the very world in which we have lived all our lives.”
– Peter Berger, (1963: 21) “Invitation to Sociology” [my emphasis]
Social science offers sophisticated methods for governments to better understand social media. The London School of Economics & Political Science argues that social scientists are using their research techniques to improve meaningful collection of social data.
Continue reading “How Can Social Science Help Governments Manage Social Media?”
We’re constantly told to act according to common sense. Common sense is supposed to stop us from making foolish mistakes, and in many ways it does. This notion describes all of our social learning in a nutshell. It’s the collection of the sum total of our personal experiences as well as those of the people around us. It helps us walk into a situation with a certain level of familiarity. The problem with common sense is that it can be misleading.
Continue reading “Social Science of Common Sense”
Social policy makers need ongoing research into the social behaviour of crowds. This is partly about urban planning, such as management of landscapes, improving infrastructure, decreasing traffic congestion and so on. Governments also need to understand crowd behaviour because local communities need to improve social service delivery.
Continue reading “Social Science of Crowds”Wonderful discussion of the social changes to portrait photography. The artists discuss how portraits were once only done of wealthy and distinguished people, implying that it began as a class exercise. It has more recently developed into an art form … Continue reading Social Changes to Portrait Photograhy
Studies show that most employees are unhappy with the way they’re under-utilised at work and with the break down of trust in their organisations. Many workers feel their employers lack integrity. With an ageing workforce on the rise, people feel increasingly pressured to delay their retirement.
Continue reading “Work to live or live to work? Social science shows what employees want”
CNN reports that in response to the neglect of elderly family members, the Chinese government amended The “Law of Protection of Rights and Interests of the Aged” in December. The new legislation addressed cases of neglect of elderly parents, such as one reported case where an elderly family member was kept in a pigsty. This is an interesting case that I will explore in comparison to the management of aged care in various societies, including China, Sweden, Japan, the UK and Australia.
Continue reading “Impact of Aged Care and Social Policy on Families”
Sociology defines culture as something we do (social practices). It involves using things such as dress and food to communicate our social belonging to particular groups, as well as using other physical resources (materials).
Continue reading “Sociology of Culture”
Social Science Insights 