Introduction to Sociology
Prepared by
FATIMA ZEHRA NAQVI
Prepared by
SESSION # 1
SESSION # 1
12th September, 2019
Contents:
Introduction Of Sociology
Definition Of Sociology
Subject Matter Of Sociology
Significance Of Sociology
Sociology And Other Disciplines
Sociological perspectives:
Structural-functional
Social conflict
Symbolic-interaction
Introduction:
Sociology is the term coined by the
Frenchman Isidore Marie Auguste François
Xavier Comte in 1838
Sociology is a combination of two words.
The first part of
the term is a Latin, The other word,
Socius-that may logos, is of Greek
variously mean origin. generally
society, association, understood as study
togetherness or or science
companionship
Emergence of sociology:
Sociology as an academic science was
born in 19th century (its formal
establishment year being 1837) in Great
Britain and Western Europe, especially
in France and Germany, and it greatly
advanced through out 19th and 20th
centuries.
Definitions of Sociology:
L.F. Ward defines, “Sociology is the
science of society or of social
phenomena”.
Ginsberg says, “Sociology is the study
of human interaction and interrelation
of their conditions and consequences”.
Emile Durkheim defines, “ Sociology as a
science of social institutions”.
Ogburn and Nimkoff defines, “Sociology as
the study of social life”.
Kimball Young defines, “Sociology deals
with the behavior of men in groups”.
Subject Matter of Sociology:
The subject matter of Sociology is the inter-action of
human minds’. L.T. Hobhouse.
Sociology is the study of society
The science of social life
The study of social relationships
The study of human behavior in groups
The study of forms of social relationships
The study of social action
The study of social groups and social systems
Significance/Importance of sociology:
Sociology studies society in a scientific way
Sociology throws more light on the social nature of man
Sociology increases the power of social action
Sociology studies role of the institutions in the development
of the individuals
Study of sociology is indispensable for understanding and
planning of society
Sociology is of great importance in the solution of social
problems
Sociology has changed our outlook with regard to the
problems of crime
Sociology has made great contribution to enrich human
culture
Sociology is of great importance in the solution of
international problems
The value of sociology lies in the fact that it keeps us update
on modern situations
Study of society has helped governments to promote the
welfare of the tribal and marginalized communities
Sociology is useful as a teaching subject
Sociology & Political Science
Political science deals with the political activities of
men.
It studies power, political processes, political
systems, types of government and international
relations. It deals with social groups organized under
the sovereign of the state.
sociology focuses on the social lives of the masses
Whichever decision the government takes it is always
regulated by the society and for the society. Any
law is constructed, enforced or implemented
because it has something to do with the masses.
DIFFERENCES:
SOCIOLOGY POLITICAL SCIENCE
1. Science of state and government.
1. Science of society and relationship.
2. Scope is limited
2. Scope is wide
3. Special science
3. General science
4. Only studies politically organized
4. Studies unorganized and
society
disorganized society
5. Analyses only conscious activities
5. Analyses both conscious and
of man
unconscious activities of man
6. Deals with only one form of
6. Deals with all forms of association
association named state.
Sociology & Economics
Economics studies the aspects of production, consumption and the distribution
and exchange of the society.
The economic processes and developments improve one’s social life. Any
economic change would naturally affect one’s social life. As it is determined
by the social environment itself. Economics is concerned with the material
wealth of man, and depending on his wealth it is determined that where he
should be placed in the society. His respect, status, and class are all results of
his monetary possessions.
Economic welfare is a part of social welfare. For the solution of different
economic problems such as inflation, poverty, unemployment etc. economists
takes the help of sociology and takes into account the social event of that
particular time.
Sociology Economics
1. Science of society and social 1. Science of wealth and
relationships . choice.
2. It studies all social 2. It only studies those social
relationship relationship which are
3. Sociology is a much economic in character.
younger science which has 3. Economics is
very recent origin comparatively an older
science.
4. Concerned with the social 4. Concerned with the
activities of man economic activities of man.
Sociology & Psychology
Psychology is a science of mind or mental processes.
Sociology is a science of collective behavior. It studies
human behavior in groups
As human mind and personality is being influenced by
social environment, culture, customs and traditions
hence psychology takes the help from Sociology to
understand this. To understand human nature and
behavior properly psychology depends on sociology.
There are many Psychological problems which must
have a Social Cause.
Sociology Psychology
Science of society Science of mind.
scope of sociology is Scope of psychology
wide is limited
Society is the unit of Individual is the unit
study in sociology of study in case of
Studies
psychology
social processes
Studies mental
Analyses human behavior processes
from sociological angle Analyses human
behavior from
psychological angles.
Sociological Perspectives:
Today there are three approaches to the study of sociology.
1. The Functionalist Perspective: They view society as a set of
interrelated parts that work together to produce a stable environment.
( Comte, Spencer, Durkheim)
[Link] Perspective: They focus on the forces in society that promote
competition and change. ( Karl Marx)
[Link] Perspective: They focus on how individuals interact
with each other and there outcomes.
Functionalist Perspective:
View of society as a set of interrelated parts that
work together to produce a stable social system
Dysfunction
A negative consequence of an element of society
Manifest function
The intended and recognized consequence of an
element of society
Latent function
Unintended and unrecognized consequence of an
element of society
Conflict perspective
Focuses on elements that create competition and change
Feminist perspective
A version of the conflict perspective that describes inequalities based on
gender
Interactionist perspective
Focuses on the interaction of individuals with each other
Symbol
Anything that represents something else
Symbolic interaction
Using symbols while interacting with others
The interactionists also focus on the role that symbols play in
our daily lives.
A symbol is anything that represents something else.
Inorder for something to be a symbol, everyone in a society
must agree on what it means/stands for.
Examples of symbols: American flag, Bald Eagle, Uncle Sam
are all symbols of America.
Interactionists also focus on how people use symbols when
they interact. Its called Symbolic Interaction.
