Sociology and Common Sense ( Sociology Optional)

EN

Introduction

• Many people mistakenly believe that sociology is the study of the obvious. They claim that ‘sociology is nothing but the application of common sense’. But equating any science with simple common sense could not be further from the truth.
• Common sense is knowledge and awareness that is held communally (shared by majority of people). It does not depend on specialist education and in some respects states the obvious.
• It equates to the knowledge and experience which most people allegedly have, or which the person using the terms believes that they do or should have.
• Since common sense ideas are things “everyone knows to be true”, there can be no argument about their validity. A major problem with common-sense explanations is the fact that they effectively close-down any possible counter argument.
• Sociological knowledge on the other and hand, has greater validity than most forms of commonsense knowledge. Sociologists try to base their statements about human behavior on evidence rather than simple assumption.

PYQs: Sociology and Common Sense समाजशास्त्र और सामान्य बोध

• Is sociology common sense? Give reasons in support of your argument. (16/10)
• क्या समाजशास्त्र सामान्य बोध है? अपने तर्क के समर्थन में कारण बताएं। (16/10)

• The focal point of Sociology rests on interaction. How do you distinguish it from common sense? (18/10)
• समाजशास्त्र का केंद्र बिंदु अन्योन्यक्रिया पर आधारित करता है। आप इसे सामान्य बोध से कैसे अलग करते हैं? (18/10)

• How is sociology related to common sense? (2021/10 marks)
• समाजशास्त्र सामान्य बोध से कैसे संबंधित है? (2021/10 अंक)

Understanding Common Sense

Common sense is culturally acquired knowledge:

• It is shaped by tradition, local beliefs, and daily life experiences.
• It is not universal and differs across cultures and eras.

Based on routine everyday experiences (Weber):

• Common sense is a routine knowledge we have of our everyday world and activities. –

• It guides daily interactions and decisions without systematic analysis.
• It is spontaneous and often unquestioned.

Alfred Schutz’s view: “Natural attitude”:

• People take the world as given, based on "stocks of knowledge". This which is the 'natural attitude', and is not generally questioned.

• It involves generalized assumptions that help navigate the social world.

Shared and assumptive:

• Common sense includes ideas "everyone knows to be true."
• These assumptions close off debate or critical examination.

Characteristics of common sense

• Common sense has specific roles and duties assigned for gender, poor, tribal (stereotypes). Eg. Margaret Mead’s study of tribalism. Papua New Guinea region found certain gender role reversal contrary to common sense.
• It is assumptive which sometimes is discontinued or paradoxical. For e.g. – opposite sex attracts as well as fight.
• It is not coherent across countries and eras.
• Commonsense ideas tend to relate to events within human experience.

Comparing Sociology vs. Common Sense: Differences and Similarities

Why Sociology is Not Common Sense

• Sociology is evidence-based:
• It relies on research, data, and observation, not mere belief.
• Sociologists test their ideas using scientific methods.
• Open to questioning and debate:
• Sociological knowledge invites criticism and revision.
• Unlike common sense, it thrives on argument and counterargument.
• Goes beyond the obvious:
• Sociology often reveals truths that contradict common assumptions.
• For example, Mead’s study showed reversed gender roles in some tribes.
• Avoids stereotypes and bias:
• Sociological analysis attempts to reduce subjective bias.
• It challenges taken-for-granted roles (e.g., gender or caste norms).

Difference between Common Sense and Sociology

Similarities between Common Sense and Sociology

While Sociology is more systematic and scientific, both Sociology and Common Sense share a fundamental interest in understanding human behavior and social interactions.

• Sometimes folk wisdom is close to Sociology. For e.g. Give a person a bad name and it will be blamed for many things more.
• Howard Becker's Labelling theory of deviance (1963): It is a common-sense view of deviance theories. Labelling theory argues that criminal and deviant acts are a result of labelling by authorities.
• Common sense often related to social relationships, social setting or institution which fall under purview of Sociology.
• Common sense gives raw material to sociology and is even supportive to Sociological theories.

Thinkers Perspectives

• Post-Modernist view – Sociology is not superior to common sense as there is nothing as eternal truth.
• Sociological knowledge often becomes common sense.Anthony Giddens.
  • For e.g. – sociological investigation of material breakups have made people believe that marriage is a risky business.
• Phenomenologists – attempting to study “what” people do and not “why” people do certain things.
• Common Sense perceptions are prejudices which can affect the scientific study of social world. – Durkheim
• Science is a critical reflection of common sense – Ronald Fitcher.
• Every Scientific enquiry starts with common sense knowledge. – John Madge.
• Common sense knowledge dominates before 18, Science dominates after 18. –
• As per Frayerband, Science is critical reflection of common sense knowledge. E.g. People by researching common sense knowledge came out of different
• In order to study society, we need both common sense knowledge and Sociology.Andre Beetle.
• All philosophy gradually develops from the ordinary day-to-day consciousness. –
• In reality, our daily life is basically under the dominance of common sense, “the rich yet disorganized, non-systemic, often inarticulate and ineffable knowledge” that we take for granted through the life course.Bauman Z. 1993.

Contribution to Each Other

Contribution of Common Sense to Sociology

• Common Sense provides hypothesis.g. Suicide is a result of two social currents i.e. Integration and Regulation. Women are physically weak.
• Common Sense facilitates collection of data.g. – Andre Beetle, during his field study, when larger number of people were not coordinating, he himself collected data based on his common sense.
• Common Sense helps in analysis of data. Interpretation depends upon theoretical background rather than facts depicting outcome. For E.g. Louis Dumont, based upon his own perception, declared caste as a rigid system, and class as an open system.
• Common Sense provides space for values.
• Common sense tells us quite distinctly and convincingly and again from both practical need and curiosity that attempt to achieve a science of society is both necessary and important.

Contribution of Sociology to Common Sense

• Sociology provides an acceptance to common sense and makes Common Sense knowledge universal.
• g. – Earlier, through common sense, it was observed that rural India is more religious. But at the same time, there is presence of various religious conflicts in urban areas also. Hence, by rejecting the earlier presumption, sociology provides validity to common sense knowledge.
• In contemporary times, common sense knowledge became inseparable with sociology, when values have gained prominence.

Some Common sense statements and outcome of sociological studies

1. Common sense knowledge: Men are naturally more aggressive than women.

• Explanation: men tend to use violence as a means of problem solving more readily in our society. This is a result of cultural factors and-expectations. In common sense terms, men have more freedom than women in our society and aggressive behavior. This is also more socially-acceptable or encouraged in men than women.
• However, not all men are overly aggressive and many women have shown extreme forms of violence.

2. Common sense knowledge: "Falling in love" is a natural human emotion. Therefore, romantic love has existed in all societies at all times.

• Explanation: Although sexual attraction may be universal this is not the same as "love". In many societies, for example, people do not marry for love. According to Philip Aries people in the past married for economic reasons. In Indian society, Hindu's practice a system of arranged marriages.

3. Common sense knowledge: By teaching children about sexual relationships, the education system encourages young people to experiment sexually, loading to an increase in teenage pregnancies.

• Explanation: contrary to this, sociological, studies show that teens who have had sex education classes tend to wait until they are older to have sex, and more likely to practice safer sex.

4. Common sense knowledge: Making contraceptives available to teenagers through school clinics will encourage them to be more sexually active because they will not have to worry about unwanted pregnancy.

• Explanation: Moore and Caldwell argues that, this practice reduced the level of teenage sexual activity and significantly reduced the level of teenage pregnancy. They argue that where teenagers are better informed about sex, they are less inclined to either indulge in sexual activity out of curiosity / ignorance or are more willing to limit their sexual behavior.

Importance in the Indian Context

Scientific Understanding of Society

• Sociology provides systematic analysis beyond surface-level common sense observations.
• Example: Gender roles in India seem “natural” in common sense, but sociology reveals how they are socially constructed and changeable.

Managing Social Diversity

• Sociology helps understand complex social structures and diversity in India, countering simplistic common sense stereotypes.
• Example: Religious pluralism and communal tensions are better managed with sociological knowledge rather than prejudiced common sense views.

Clarifying Misconceptions

• Sociology challenges everyday common sense ideas that may be biased or incomplete.
• Example: Caste discrimination is often justified by tradition in common sense, but sociology exposes its social roots and harms.

Policy Formulation and Social Reform

• Sociological insights help create effective policies by moving beyond popular assumptions.
• Example: Poverty alleviation programs use sociological data rather than relying on simplistic common sense ideas about laziness or fate.

Conclusion

• According to Bauman and May, ‘The relationship between commonsense and sociological thinking is dependent. Sociological thinking is interpreting and investigating the facts that are established by commonsense.’
• The sociological perspective involves maintaining objectivity, by evidence-based testing of common sense ideas. It involves a conscious effort to go beyond the obvious and questions what is accepted as true or common sense.

Practice Questions

Q. Is Sociology Common Sense?

Sociology as Common Sense: Supporting Views

1. Everyday Experiences: Some argue that sociology is essentially common sense because it deals with the study of human behavior and social interactions that people experience in their daily lives.

• g. Émile Durkheim, a prominent sociologist, believed that sociology should focus on observable social facts and phenomena that can be directly experienced by individuals.

2. Shared Cultural Knowledge: Another perspective suggests that sociology reflects the common sense of a particular culture or society. It examines the shared beliefs, norms, and values that shape social life.

• Max Weber, a key sociologist, emphasized the significance of "verstehen" or understanding social actions through empathizing with the actors and comprehending their cultural context.

3. Challenging cultural biases: Sociology helps uncover and challenge cultural biases ingrained in common sense.

• Pierre Bourdieu's concept of "habitus" demonstrated how social class shapes individuals' perceptions and actions.

Sociology as Distinct from Common Sense: Counter Views

1. Systematic Study: Sociology involves a systematic and scientific examination of social phenomena, which distinguishes it from common sense.

• Auguste Comte, often considered the father of sociology, argued that sociology should rely on empirical evidence and employ systematic methods of inquiry to understand society.

2. Unveiling Assumptions: Sociology challenges common sense by uncovering underlying assumptions, biases, and social structures that may be hidden or taken for granted.

• Pierre Bourdieu, a renowned sociologist, highlighted how social practices and cultural tastes are shaped by power dynamics and social inequalities.

3. Cultural Relativity: Sociologists emphasize the importance of cultural relativity, recognizing that common sense can vary across different cultures and societies.

• Margaret Mead, an influential anthropologist, studied cultural variations in child-rearing practices, challenging the notion of universal common sense approaches to parenting.

4. Overemphasis on theory: Sociology places too much emphasis on theory, making it disconnected from everyday realities. Common sense is more practical and accessible for individuals to navigate their social environments.

Examples and Case Studies:

1. "Blaming the Victim" Phenomenon: Common sense often tends to attribute social problems to individual shortcomings, such as poverty or unemployment. However, sociologists like William Ryan have critiqued this perspective by examining how systemic factors contribute to such issues, emphasizing the role of social structures and inequality.
2. Gender Roles: Common sense notions of gender roles may perpetuate traditional stereotypes, but sociologists like Judith Butler have critically analyzed these assumptions. Butler argues that gender is a social construct and challenges the binary understanding of masculinity and femininity, broadening our understanding of gender identity and expression.
3. Cultural Practices: Common sense may dictate certain practices as "normal" within a specific culture. However, sociologists like Edward T. Hall have explored cultural relativism by examining concepts like personal space and non-verbal communication, revealing how these norms can vary significantly across different societies.
4. Prejudice and Discrimination: Common sense often harbors prejudices and stereotypes. Sociologists like Howard Becker have challenged these biases by examining the social construction of deviance and how labeling certain groups can perpetuate discrimination and inequality.
5. Common Sense: "Hard work leads to success."

• Sociology: Sociological analysis might reveal how social class, education, and access to opportunities play a significant role in determining success, questioning the common sense belief that individual effort alone leads to success.

6. Common Sense: "People naturally form stable and harmonious families."

• Sociology: Sociological research might examine family dynamics, divorce rates, and social pressures to highlight the complexities and challenges that families face, challenging the notion that stable families are the default or natural outcome.

7. Common Sense: "Crime is primarily committed by individuals with criminal tendencies."

• Sociology: Sociological perspectives might examine the social causes of crime, such as poverty, inequality, and social disorganization, challenging the common sense assumption that criminal behavior is solely a result of individual traits.

Conclusion

While sociology can draw on common sense and everyday experiences, it also goes beyond it by employing systematic research methods, unveiling hidden assumptions, and recognizing cultural relativity.

Sociologists have provided valuable insights by challenging conventional wisdom and shedding light on the complex social dynamics that shape our lives.

Q. The focal point of Sociology rests on interaction. Explain.

The focal point of Sociology rests on interaction, which refers to the fundamental process of individuals and groups engaging with one another and shaping their social reality through communication, cooperation, and conflict. Several thinkers in sociology have emphasized the significance of interaction in understanding social phenomena.

Here are some key points:

1. Interaction as the basis of social life:

• George Herbert Mead: Mead argued that individuals develop a sense of self through social interaction. The self is not innate but emerges through the symbolic interactions and meanings shared with others.

2. Symbolic interactionism:

• Herbert Blumer: Blumer coined the term "symbolic interactionism" and emphasized the importance of shared meanings and symbols in social interaction. He believed that individuals interpret and give meaning to the world through their interactions.
• Charles Horton Cooley: Cooley introduced the concept of the "looking-glass self," which suggests that individuals develop their self-image based on how they believe others perceive them. This process is influenced by social interactions.

3. Social roles and expectations:

• Talcott Parsons: Parsons developed the theory of social action. He argued that individuals perform their roles based on the expectations of society and the norms associated with those roles.
• Robert Merton: Merton expanded on Parsons' ideas and introduced the concept of role strain, which occurs when individuals experience conflicting expectations within a single role. For example, a working mother may face challenges balancing her role as an employee and a caregiver.

4. Power and conflict in interaction:

• Pierre Bourdieu: Bourdieu examined social interaction through the lens of power and the dynamics of social inequality. He introduced the concept of "habitus".
• Habitus is the way that people perceive and respond to the social world they inhabit, by way of their personal habits, skills, and disposition of character. It refers to the deeply ingrained dispositions and behaviors individuals acquire through socialization and which influence their interactions.
• Michel Foucault: Foucault analyzed power relations in social interactions, particularly focusing on the role of institutions and knowledge in shaping social control. His work highlighted how power operates through disciplinary practices in various settings.

Conclusion

The focal point of sociology on interaction highlights the central role of social processes, meanings, and power dynamics in shaping individuals' lives and social structures. Through interaction, individuals construct their identities, negotiate social roles, engage in power struggles, and form collective behaviors.