ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on establishing a firm baseline of understanding by clarifying precisely what they mean by sociology and establishing why it is important to use sociology as an underpinning of their work across a wide range of occupational settings. It looks at sociology, albeit in broad outline only, from a sociological perspective in order to appreciate how sociological thought has developed to reach the current point where it offers excellent potential for casting very helpful light on so many different aspects of human experience. In order to demonstrate the value of applied sociology, the chapter also looks at who uses sociology, who are the people in their respective work settings who can benefit from thinking sociologically about the circumstances they find themselves in and the challenges they face. A basic premise of sociology is that all human activity takes place within a social context.
