1. What is sociology?
CHCCLD514A Analyse
sociological impacts of
sociological factors on
clients in community work
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2.  Broadly speaking, sociology is a
study of how a society operates or of
social relationships
 Sociology is based on the idea that
an individual’s life journey is not just
shaped on a series of individual
choices, but that our life chances are
influenced by a variety of forces
outside the control of the individual
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sociological factors on
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3.  Sociology often claims that the
beliefs of a society and the
knowledges of society are
connected to power. Some
sociologists claim that the ideas in a
society will benefit some groups and
individuals and at the same time
disadvantage others.
 Sociologists analyse how and why
societies operate in certain ways
and offer understanding and
sometimes solutions to a variety of
social issues and problems
CHCCLD514A Analyse
sociological impacts of
sociological factors on
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4.  Sociologists are particularly
interested in the issue of social
power. How does power operate in
society? Is power a ‘good’ or ‘bad’
thing? Does power lead to social
inequalities? Is inequality a problem
in Australian society?
 Sociology is not simple and
straightforward. It involves a range
of competing theories and ideas. No
theory is perfect and no theory can
capture the exact nature of ‘reality’.
CHCCLD514A Analyse
sociological impacts of
sociological factors on
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5.  C. Wright Mills considers sociology
to raise three main questions:
 What is the structure of this
particular society and how do the
parts relate to one another and to
the whole?
 Where does it stand in human
history and the development of
humanity as a whole?
 What categories of people dominate
in society at this particular time and
how is it changing?
CHCCLD514A Analyse
sociological impacts of
sociological factors on
clients in community work
and services 5

6.  This means looking beyond
ourselves and considering the bigger
picture of social organisation.
 We need to consider the invisible
forces which shape our own and
other people’s lives.
 Most sociologists would agree that
this is important but they disagree on
how to get there.
CHCCLD514A Analyse
sociological impacts of
sociological factors on
clients in community work
and services 6

7.  Generally, the sociological
imagination involves:
 Questioning
 Gathering information
 Comparing different situations
 Understanding history
 Deciding on the value of different
theories
Ref: Bessant & Watts, 1999, Sociology Australia
CHCCLD514A Analyse
sociological impacts of
sociological factors on
clients in community work
and services 7