What sociology is, and why sociology is worth studying
Sociology is a vital field for examining people’s interactions within society. It is defined as a study of individuals perceived as the members of the same community determined by shared culture, which allows examining their dominant worldview in detail for resolving critical issues. This area is worth studying because it helps understand the dynamics of relationships and reveals the sources of conflicts for their further resolution.
In addition, the examination of living conditions of a particular population group can be advantageous for addressing their specific needs, which can be different from the ones of other categories of citizens. These two considerations explain why sociology is valuable as a field as they are both connected to people’s wellbeing in general. Moreover, it is connected to other disciplines, which adds to its significance for scholars.
For example, the provision of healthcare services and their high quality is essential for public health, while it can be challenging when taking into consideration the unwillingness of some population groups to cooperate with specialists. In this case, sociology can help better understand the motivation of individuals guided by their cultural determinants in the possibility of rejecting the proposed medical interventions and thereby reducing the chances of full recovery. As a result, the researchers can use their findings as a theoretical underpinning for covering more people when elaborating a suitable course of action in this respect. In the process, they can also apply the gathered data concerning their opinions to other spheres of human life for improvements.
Sharing and acceptance of misinformation within groups
The process of sharing and accepting misinformation within communities is enhanced by the presentation of seemingly successful role models, in which the behavior of individuals correlates with their culture. In this situation, in-grouping contributes to it by explaining the impossibility of negative consequences of their decisions. For example, the choice of a mother to visit a dentist regularly might lead to similar conduct of her offspring. They would perceive her ways of approaching this need as appropriate and willingly follow them without any doubts. The same can happen when leaders exercise their authority within their groups and encourage others to accept their attitude to the problem as the only possible option.
As for social media, this source of influence facilitates online communication between individuals and thereby promotes the distribution of incorrect perceptions about life among them. In addition, help groups, despite their voluntary nature, add to this outcome by presenting more opportunities for physical meetings. In this way, the mentioned types of organizations and corresponding factors can be viewed as the principal conditions for misinforming citizens.
Group membership is important to individuals due to the need for belonging to a community. It can be explained by the process of socialization, which lasts throughout people’s lives. The accompanying personal crises ascribed to different stages of human existence require the reception of support from like-minded individuals and can be ensured if one fits in society. From this perspective, the significance of meeting this condition is determined by the opportunity to promote wellbeing.