Final answer:
Production and consumption are sociological because they involve the exchange and cultural significance, influencing social and economic behavior within industrial societies. Commodity fetishism obscures the value of labor behind products, focusing on the products' ability to convey social status, which advertising often amplifies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The production and consumption of products are considered sociological because they involve complex processes that connect people to each other through systems of exchange, labor division, and shared cultural meanings. These processes are integral to the functioning of industrial societies where commodity consumption is a significant aspect of the economy. Understandably, the economy requires production and distribution of goods and services to meet peoples' needs and wants. In this context, commodities become more than just objects; they are endowed with social and cultural significance.
Commodity fetishism, a concept introduced by Karl Marx, refers to the perception of the social relationships involved in production as relationships between things rather than relationships between people. In other words, it is the tendency to see the value in the commodities themselves, apart from the labor and social interactions that produced them. This fetishism is perpetuated through marketing and advertising, as certain products are attributed with almost magical qualities that can convey status, beauty, or social belonging.
Understanding these dynamics helps to explain not only economic behavior but also social and cultural phenomena, such as the trends and motivations behind consumerism, and the implications of our choices on society at large. It interrogates the basic economic questions of what, how, and for whom goods and services are produced, linking those questions to broader societal concerns.