Why is Sociology so Discredited?

Question

Why is Sociology so Discredited? I get a lot of 'sociology won't get you this or that' Well okay, they have a degree in I.T. or Computer science, but why do they have to rub it in my face that their degree is more valueable than mines.... I get frustrated over this sometimes but I am doing what I wanted to do.

'Having no "wrong" answers and always having some kind of exception or qualification to statements makes social sciences seem underdeveloped'

Really, so sociology being subject that challenges your ability to think for yourself more than other degrees, makes it of less value?

On the other hand studying a subject where you can't learn anything new and have everything worked out for you makes them more superior?

Answer 1

Every one but Elop and oddball told you the truth. I went to school for the sake of learning and I received my first degree in psychology, with a sociological minor. I realized as soon as I had received my degree that I had learned nothing. I am now an ethologist, interested in canid behavior. You have been told why your degree lacks rigor. Do you realize the mean variance in IQ between the social sciences and science? The problem in social science is how this information is ignored or rationalized. If you love you discipline; save it from itself. Defeat the post-modernistic and relativistic elements in sociology and inform it scientifically, or it will remain the laughing stock of science halls everywhere.

Answer 2

Having no "wrong" answers and always having some kind of exception or qualification to statements makes social sciences seem underdeveloped to those of us in hard sciences. Sociology sounds like something that you can't help but pick up by just living in a society and using common sense and thus you shouldn't need to spend four years studying it. I would say the introductory courses seem pretty easy; not that I've ventured into specifics. Also, social scienes courses are less hierarchical than hard sciences. I think most people can pick up a textbook for an upper-level sociology course and understand it. The same is not true for an upper-level physics/chem/math/engineering textbook because it assumes a lot of background, especially math. It's that confidence of, "I can do what you do, but you can't do what I do," that lets people in hard sciences look down on other fields. I'm not sure how sociology would be intimidating. It seems more similar to History than say, physics. You can, more or less, learn 19th century history without going into the details of earlier times. It doesn't seem difficult to do, just so tedious and boring that I don't want to do that.

Did you see the other question in sociology, "what is a social institution?" Who determines what is or isn't a social institution? As useful as claryfing definitions is, they seem totally arbitrary. It seems like you could argue about everything in sociology and get away with it.

Answer 3

I think its because it can't be categorized. Sociology doesn't require one specific skill, except the ability to not judge and categorize! People simply do not understand what sociology is and how beneficial it can be to our lives. It helps to broaden minds and provide a deeper understanding of the world around you. It requires many interpersonal skills and critical values not found through studying maths or IT. Anybody can study Sociology, but not everybody can understand it.
Sociology may not be a specifically job orientated degree, it has so many options and choices, it leaves so many pathways for employment clear, whereas somebody who has a degree in IT is pretty much restricted to just that, and i should imagine theres only so long they can take before they crack up staring at a computer screen! IT can be outdated within a day, sociology is ever expanding and developing, and the good thing is, the graduates and post grads can develop with it, they dont have to read a brand new manual or fiddle about with computer systems to understanding situations they are faced with.
Sociology can provide so many explainations for the worlds actions, specific degress like the ones you mentioned, are pretty restricted in what they can explain and not entirely relevant to everyday life.
Another misconception is that sociology is actually a science! a science involves something that can be controlled within a laboratory or other area. Sociology is centered aound people and people within society, and as people generally adjust to their settings and act accordingly, theres aboslutely no way of being able to control behaviour and actions.
Ignore the people who try to discredit sociology, its not their fault, its societies for imposing negative values on the subject. As i said, people just don't understand what sociology is about, and thats why it recieves such bad press.

Answer 4

You know what, I have a sociology degree and I am the ONLY one of my friends who, post-uni, got a graduate-specific job. I make the most money too.

I work in advertising, where you can't specific degree training, you just have to have a degree in something that shows you know how to think in a certain way. This is the case for a lot of types of job, so that's the last thing you need to worry about.

A sociology degree is valuable to plenty of employers. It's all about how we develop our minds, our capacity for insight, our ability to ask questions no one else thinks of and apply science to our theoretical ideas. Yes, there IS right and wrong, it's all in the methods. You can't just say things, you have to back it all up and apply science to it. We have to be critical of things other people say too, and be able to use evidence when we argue with it.

I say things all the time that make people go "Wow, I have never thought of that...". Because I have trained my mind in a certain way. Sometimes it takes a sociologist to know one, not everybody realises what it's all about because they have never studied it and seen the effects it has on them.

Best of luck!

Answer 5

Yes, it is undervalued by many. And no, it shouldn't be. I think it's a subject that should be taught in primary school. After all it's about social groups!

Many people don't realise that there is a lot of solid science in sociology...it's not just wishy washy theories. Masses of social experiments are being carried out on a scientific basis all the time.

Give them a sociology question from a past paper and ask them how they'd begin to answer it....I mean if it's not hard then they should be able to.

Know what, some of the above answers show a certain lack of intelligence in understanding WHAT sociology is.

Answer 6

It is because college is now seen as a means to an end instead of an end in itself. People used to learn for the sake of learning, but now the only reason people go to college is to have a chance at earning more money. I am minoring in sociology and plan on going to grad school. I think it is the most relevant subject, but technology and business degrees bring in the money so they are valued more. It is better to do something that makes you happy than to do anything that makes you a lot of money.

Answer 7

I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology too. it somewhat only relies upon on the college which you attend. b/c in my senior seminar type we asked the professor why we weren't getting a BS somewhat of a BA if Sociology is considered a technological awareness and he suggested it varies via college. do no longer difficulty approximately different human beings attempting to discredit you. it somewhat is a factor human beings attempting to place you down and partially b/c because of the fact do only no longer understand what it somewhat is and don't comprehend what to do with it. for the era of school and this previous twelve months on account that i graduated, i continuously had to describe what Sociology is and the distinction between Sociology and Psychology. I easily have not encountered hostility yet a great variety of human beings who only don't get it. I clarify as lots to them as i'm able to and for the main section they comprehend that it somewhat is no longer basically undemanding sense. Thats the 1st factor my professor taught in Intro to Sociology that it somewhat is extra suitable than undemanding sense. only overlook appropriate to the jerks b/c if it wasn't credible or if there wasn't a % for it then it does no longer exist. i visit declare it has made it annoying for me to locate a job b/c it somewhat is this variety of vast field. i do no longer % to be a lawyer, or a social worker and that i'm nonetheless jobless. perchance after my grasp's i'm going to have an more desirable thought of what i % to do. desire you sense extra suitable.

Answer 8

I personally think most of the people who answered this question negatively have an overly high opinion of themselves.
I am changing my major from psychology to sociology and am planning on going into social work eventually.
I do not see anything more valuable to learn in a social field than sociology!
If you just want money, go in to something else.
If you want to work in a field where you are actually going to do something meaningful to impact others, social sciences are the way to go.
Other "sciences" can't say that.
It's comparing apples and oranges.

Answer 9

You already know, deep down inside, don't you?
If Economics is "the queen" of social sciences, sociology is "the whore". There are no wrong answers to the exam questions, ergo no right ones. You are "B Ark" material. Say hi to the goat for us.

If you're not familiar with either the "B Ark" or "The Goat", then you chose the right degree, whilst not concentrating on the important things.

Answer 10

If you have studied a worthwhile subject at university which takes more effort and hard work and actually means something in the workplace then you feel that the timewasting useless subjects are attempting to devalue your degree. Afterall in general terms we are all graduates but as an Engineering Graduate my degrees are worth a hell of a lot more than yours!