Sociology is the study of how societies operate and how social relationships influence individuals. It examines how an individual's life is shaped not just by personal choices but also by outside social forces. Sociology analyzes why societies function in certain ways and sometimes offers solutions to social issues. It also studies how power and social inequalities influence society. While sociological theories offer perspectives, no single theory can fully capture reality. Sociology aims to understand society's structure, historical context, and dominant social groups over time using questioning, information gathering, comparison, and consideration of different theoretical viewpoints.

1. What is sociology?
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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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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
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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’.
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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?
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sociological factors on
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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.
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sociological impacts of
sociological factors on
clients in community work
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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