1.6 Sociology’s Real-World Applications
Jennifer Puentes and Aimee Samara Krouskop
We can rely on sociology to make sense of social challenges and help us take action. This is particularly important for societies experiencing crises or struggling to address challenges to their wellbeing. For example, early in the COVID-19 pandemic (March 2020), the German Sociological Association started documenting sociological contributions to better understand public response to the crisis. This study examined important social phenomena, such as the strong willingness of people in Germany to act in solidarity by following policies designed to protect the more vulnerable (such as stay at home policies). Sociologists are also researching motivations around hoarding consumer goods (such as toilet paper) and increases in domestic violence during the pandemic (Blättel-Mink 2020).
Sociologists are also employed by international agencies addressing wellbeing challenges in specific regions. They might work in larger organizations such as the many branches of the United Nations (UN), the World Bank, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), or the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The multitude of smaller, nongovernmental international organizations around the world also look for staff that have a strong understanding of how society functions.
Some examples in Oregon include the international humanitarian organization, Mercy Corps; Green Empowerment, which works with rural communities to improve access to renewable energy, water, sanitation, and cook stoves, and the Rafiki Village Project foundation, which is dedicated to improving health, literacy, and economic prosperity in Tanzania.
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Can you picture yourself working with any of these agencies?
- United Nations (UN)
- World Bank
- U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
- European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO)
- International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
- Mercy Corps
In Oregon
Research professionals, program assistants, or directors with sociology education might be hired to address public health and medical concerns, such as malaria, reproductive health, child survival, and HIV. They might work performing outreach and education regarding gender equality, sanitation, or agricultural support. Initiatives include improving educational access, fighting human trafficking, aiding community development, supporting human rights, providing legal aid, and providing support to elders. Sociologists hired with emergency response organizations might conduct needs assessments in humanitarian zones to determine the estimated numbers of victims who need shelter, water, food, or—in the case of children—physical protection.
Sociologists and other social researchers also work to understand cultural, political, psychological, and economic factors that affect global health and well-being. For example, the World Health Organization (WHO) examines these factors to apply them to the design, implementation, and evaluation of their policies. The better these factors are understood, the more effective, accepted, and equitable their interventions (WHO N.d.).
Activity: Intersections of Gender, Race, and Health
Let’s take a closer look at how sociology can be applied in daily life by studying how health and culture are examined by social research in areas where transmission of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) remains persistent. Social scientists with the branch of the United Nations tackling the AIDS epidemic, UNAIDS, report that 39 percent of new HIV infections occur in sub-Saharan Africa (UNAIDS 2021), leading the organization to focus its efforts in that region. Simultaneously, organizations like AIVI, a nonprofit scientific research organization developing vaccines and antibodies for HIV and other diseases, are examining how to deliver their treatments to address public health. Those examinations frequently include social research that involves interviews with people in the communities most affected by health crises.
Watch the four-minute video in figure 1.21, The Need for Long-acting HIV Prevention Methods [Streaming Video]. Produced by AIVI, it highlights interviews with twelve women living in Kenya and South Africa and provides insights into the cultural and economic barriers that prevent them from taking precautions against HIV.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sby8KafSPAI&t=10s
After watching the clip, please return to answer the following questions:
- What are some cultural and economic barriers that prevent people from taking precautions against HIV?
- How does gender connect with the concept of power in the stories shared by women?
- Reflect on the concepts of privilege and oppression that you learned in this chapter. What connections can you make to the stories shared in the clip?
During times of intense social unrest, members of societies frequently seek the advice of sociologists. Sociologists are often considered the conscience of a society and can help members understand their new and troubling current circumstances, as well as point them toward ways of improving the circumstances they face (Garretón 2005:361).
Another example of a situation that calls for the skills of a sociologist is when societies are experiencing protracted conflict, such as civil war. During the 1970s and 80s, sociologists in Latin America produced a massive amount of research in response to the social and political conflicts suffered by nations in that region. Research, writing, and debate regarding social factors such as the roots of conflict, social movements, resistance fueled by civil society, and forensic human rights all contributed to a large body of knowledge. The goal of this research was to understand the social dynamics at play in southern countries and find ways to reduce conflict and suffering.
Political sociologists are especially engaged during times of social conflict. For example, in 2022, Ukrainian sociologist Volodymyr Ishchenko was able to apply his in-depth study of social dynamics in Ukraine to helping the world understand Russia’s war on Ukraine. His focus on protests and social movements, revolutions, right and left politics, nationalism, and civil society keenly positioned him to provide commentary for a number of media outlets (Ishchenko N.d).
Licenses and Attributions for Sociology’s Real-World Applications
Open Content, Original
“Sociology’s Real-World Applications” by Aimee Samara Krouskop is licensed under CC BY 4.0. Revised by Jennifer Puentes.
“Activity: Intersections of Gender, Race, and Health” by Aimee Samara Krouskop is adapted from “The Need for Long-acting HIV Prevention Methods – Trailer” by AIVI, shared under the Standard YouTube License, and is licensed under CC BY 4.0. Modifications by Jennifer Puentes include authoring questions and framing the activity.
All other content in this section is original content by Jennifer Puentes and Aimee Samara Krouskop and licensed under CC BY 4.0.
All Rights Reserved Content
Figure 1.21. “The Need for Long-acting HIV Prevention Methods – Trailer” by AIVI is shared under the Standard YouTube License.
the scientific and systematic study of groups and group interactions, societies and social interactions, from small and personal groups to very large groups and mass culture; also, the systematic study of human society and interactions.
freewill or the ability to make independent decisions. As sociologists, we understand that the choices we have available to us are often limited by larger structural constraints.
a group of people who live in a defined geographic area, interact with one another, and share a common culture.
a term that refers to the behaviors, personal traits, and social positions that society attributes to being female or male
one-on-one conversations with participants designed to gather information about a particular topic.
something of value members of one group have that members of another group do not, simply because they belong to a group. The privilege may be either an unearned advantage or an unearned entitlement.
a combination of prejudice and institutional power that creates a system that regularly and severely discriminates against some groups and benefits other groups.