"A sociologist should be able to observe and understand the realities of human behavior and the social settings in which it happens without being influenced emotionally or personally."
please help me explain that sentence by giving a specific example.
Suppose a sociologist observes a Tea Party rally. Although the sociologist probably has some strong feelings about this event, she should be able to watch it and understand the human behavior and emotions behind it.
Thank you so much, Ms. Sue!
You're very welcome, Kimberly.
Certainly! The sentence you provided states that a sociologist should possess the ability to observe and comprehend human behavior and the social contexts in which it occurs without being emotionally or personally influenced. In other words, they should maintain objectivity and not let their personal biases or emotions cloud their understanding of the situation.
Let's consider a specific example to further explain this concept. Imagine a sociologist studying a protest demonstration. Their role is to observe and analyze the behavior of the participants and the social factors that influence their actions.
In this scenario, the sociologist needs to remain detached from personal emotions or biases. For instance, if the sociologist personally supports the cause that the protesters are advocating, they have to set aside their personal beliefs and focus on the objective study of the protest. This involves observing the dynamics between protest organizers, the behavior of participants, and how the social environment impacts the overall demonstration.
By remaining impartial, the sociologist can accurately analyze the various factors contributing to the protest, such as the motivations behind the participants' actions, the social structures that may be leading to the protest, or the reactions of law enforcement and the general public. Without being influenced emotionally or personally, the sociologist can provide a more objective understanding of the protest's implications in society.
This example demonstrates how a sociologist needs to maintain objectivity and avoid personal bias or emotional attachment in order to effectively study and understand human behavior and social settings.