Sociology

An Introduction
Introduction
 Have you ever wondered why individuals and societies are so
varied?
 Do you ask what social forces have shaped different existences?
 The quest to understand society is urgent and important, for if we
cannot understand the social world, we are more likely to be
overwhelmed by it.
 We also need to understand social processes if we want to influence
them.
 Sociology can help us to understand ourselves better, since it
examines how the social world influences the way we think, feel,
and act.
 It can also help with decision-making, both our own and that of
larger organizations. Sociologists can gather systematic
information from which to make a decision, provide insights into
what is going on in a situation, and present alternatives.
Introduction
 A dictionary defines sociology as the
systematic study of society and social
interaction.
 Sociology is a branch of social sciences that

uses systematic method of empirical

investigation and critical analysis to develop
and refine a body of knowledge about human
social structure and activity.
Introduction
 What is Sociology?

 Sociology is the scientific study of society,

including patterns of social relationships, social
interaction, and culture.
 The term sociology was first used by Frenchman

Auguste Comte in the 1830s when he proposed a

synthetic science uniting all knowledge about
human activity.
 [1] In the academic world, sociology is

considered one of the social sciences.

What Do Sociologists Study?
 Sociologists study all things human, from the
interactions between two people to the
complex relationships between nations or
multinational corporations.
 While sociology assumes that human actions
are patterned, individuals still have room for
choices. Becoming aware of the social
processes that influence the way humans think,
feel, and behave plus having the will to act can
help individuals to shape the social forces they
face.
Definitions
 Sociology has been defined in a number of
ways by a number of people.
 Ward and Graham summer
 “Sociology is the science of society”
 According to Durkheim
 “the science of Institutions”
 Park said
 “The science of collective behaviour”
 Some of the contemporaries define sociology
in this way
 Ken Brown: sociology is the systematic study

of human groups and social life in modern

societies.
 Ian Robertson: sociology is the scientific

study of human society and social behaviour.

 Having a review of all of the definitions it is
concluded that sociology is the scientific
study of the social relations.
 Ultimately it is the study of human society.
The Origin of Sociology
 Sociologists believe that our social
surroundings influence thought and action.
For example, the rise of the social sciences
developed in response to social changes.
 In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries,

Europeans were exploring the world and

voyagers returned from Asia, the Americas,
Africa, and the South Seas with amazing
stories of other societies and civilizations.
 In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries,
Western Europe was rocked by technical,
economic, and social changes that forever
changed the social order. Science and
technology were developing rapidly.
 Scientific developments spurred social

changes and offered hope that scientific

methods might help explain the social as well
as the natural world. This trend was part of a
more general growth in rationalism.
 The industrial revolution began in Britain in
the late eighteenth century. By the late
nineteenth century, the old order was
collapsing “under the twin blows of
industrialism and revolutionary democracy”
 Capitalism also grew in Western Europe in the

nineteenth century.
 Finally, there was enormous population growth
worldwide in this period, due to longer life
expectancy and major decreases in child death rates.

 These massive social changes lent new urgency to

the development of the social sciences, as early
sociological thinkers struggled with the vast
implications of economic, social and political
revolutions. All the major figures in the early years
of sociology thought about the “great
transformation” from simple, preliterate societies to
massive, complex, industrial societies.
The History of Sociology
 People have been thinking like sociologists

long before sociology became a separate

academic discipline: (a) Plato and Aristotle,
(b) Confucius, (c) Khaldun, and (d) Voltaire all
set the stage for modern sociology.
 Since ancient times, people have been fascinated by
the relationship between individuals and the
societies to which they belong.
 The ancient Greeks might be said to have provided

the foundations of sociology through the distinction

they drew between physis (nature) and nomos (law
or custom).
 Whereas nature or physis for the Greeks was “what

emerges from itself” without human

intervention, nomos in the form of laws or customs,
were human conventions designed to constrain
human behaviour.
The Institutionalization of Sociology
 Sociology as we see it today is the product of
mans old experiences and observations.
 It was originated as special discipline in 1836 by

August Comte, with the name of ‘Social physics’.

 Though it is a new discipline but its foundations

was laid by Allama ibn-e-khaldun who was a

muslim historian in Tunis. He named this new
science ‘Ilm-ul-Imran’ means study of people.
 Ibn-e-khuldun famous work of sociology is his

‘Muqadamah”
Old Muslim Thinkers
 Old muslim thinkers were Al- Razi,
 Al-Kundi, Al- Farabi, Ibn-e- Sina, Imam

Ghazali,
 Shah Wali Ullah and others.
 The european old thinkers were Aristotle’ The

Socrates, Plato, Machiavelli, Thomas Hobbes,

Kant and others.
 The efforts of these thinkers have developed

sociology as a new science.

 What happens around us in our social life
falls in the area of sociology and it explains
it.
 The knowledge of sociology is applied in the

solution of social problems.

The Relationship of Sociology with
Other Social Sciences
 Sociology is a science of society. As a social
science it attempts to study social life as a
whole.
 For the understanding of social life as a

whole sociology requires the help of other

social sciences which studies a particular
aspect of society.
 Economics studies the economic aspects

whereas political science studies political

aspects.
 Hence it is obvious that other social sciences
are closely related to sociology. Sociology is
considered as the mother of social sciences.
Besides sociology synthesizes other social
sciences. Hence there exists a very close and
intimate relationship between Sociology and
other social sciences.
 For our precise understanding of the
relationship between sociology and other social
sciences we have to discuss them individually,
Sociology and Political Science
 As a mother of social sciences Sociology has close and intimate
relationship with all other social science. Hence it has close
relationship with political science as well. Their relationship is so
close and intimate that led G.E.C. Catlin to remark “Political
Science and Sociology are two faces or aspects of the same
figure.”

 Sociology is a Science of society. It is a science of social groups

and social institutions. It is a general science of society. It studies
human interaction and inter-relations their conditions and
consequences.
 Political Science is a science of state and Government. 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.
 In the words of Paul Junet, “Political Science is that
part of social science which treats the foundation of
the state and principles of government.” It studies
the political activities of man. It only studies the
organised society.
 Sociology depends on political science. In the words

of Morris Ginsberg, “Historically Sociology has its

main roots in politics and philosophy of history.”
 Sociology greatly benefited by the books written by

political scientists like Plato, Aristotle and Kautilya

such as The Republic, The Politics and Arthasastra
respectively.
 Each and every social problem has a political cause.
Political Science is a part of sociology. Hence
sociology depends on political science to comprehend
itself. To understand different political events
sociology takes the help from political science.
 Sociology to draw it’s conclusions depends on political
science. Any change in the political system or nature
of power structure brings changes in society.
 Hence Sociology takes the help of political science to
understand the changes in society. Hence both are
inter-dependent.
 State frames its rules, regulations and laws on the basis of
social customs, tradition and values. Without Sociological
background the study of political science will be incomplete.
 Political Scientists largely benefited by the researches and
research methods of the Sociologist. Some consider political
science as a branch of Sociology. State is considered as a
social group hence is a subject of Sociology.

 Thus both political science and sociology contribute to each

other. But in spite of their inter-relationship and inter-
dependence both the sciences differ from each other in the
following way.
Differences:
 1) Sociology is a science of society and social relationship
whereas political science is a science of state and government.
 (2) The scope of sociology is very wide but scope of political
science is limited.

 (3) Sociology is a general science but political science is a

special science.

 (4) Sociology studied organized, unorganized and disorganized

society whereas political science studies only politically
organized society.

 (5) Sociology studies the social activities of man whereas

political science studies political activities of man.
 6) Sociology is a new or young science but political science is an
older science.

 (7) Sociology studies man as a social animal whereas political

science studies man as a political animal.

 (8) Sociology studies both formal and informal relations whereas

political science studies only formal relations.

 (9) Sociology analyses both conscious and unconscious activities

of man whereas political science analyses only conscious activities
of man.
 (10) Sociology deals with all forms of association whereas political
science deals with only one form of association named state.
Sociology and History:
 As a mother of social sciences sociology has close and intimate
relationship with all other social sciences. Accordingly it has
close relationship with history. Because present society bears
symbols of past. Relationship between the two is so close and
intimate that scholars like G. Von Bulow have refused to
acknowledge sociology as a science distinct from history.

 Sociology is the science of society. It is a study of systems of

social action and their inter-relations. Sociology is a science of
social groups and social institutions. History studies the
important past events and incidents. It records men past life
and life of societies in a systematic and chronological order. It
also tries to find out the causes of past events. It also studies
the past political, social and economic events of the world.
 However, both the sciences are closely inter-
related and inter­dependent on each other.
 Both study the same human society. Their

mutual dependence led G.H. Howard to

remark that, “History is past Sociology and
Sociology is present history.”
 Both takes help from each other. At the same

time one depends on the other for its own

comprehension.
 History helps and enriches Sociology. History is the store house of
knowledge from which Sociology gained a lot. History provides materials
sociologists use. History is a record of past social matters, social customs
and information about different stages of life. Sociology uses this
information. Books written by historians like A. Toynbee are of great use for
Sociologists. To know the impact of a particular past event sociology
depends on history.

 Similarly Sociology also provides help to history and enriches it. A historian
greatly benefited from the research conducted by Sociologists. Historians
now study caste, class and family by using sociological data. Sociology
provides the background for the study of history.

 Now history is being studied from Sociological angle. Every historical event
has a social cause or social background. To understand that historical event
history need the help from Sociology and Sociology helps history in this
respect. Sociology provides facts on which historians rely on.
 Thus history and Sociology are mutually dependent on
each other.
 History is now being studied from Sociological angle
and Sociology also now studied from historical point of
view.
 Historical sociology now became a new branch of
Sociology which depends on history.
 Similarly Sociological history is another specialized
subject which based on both the Sciences.
 But in spite of the above close relationship and inter-
dependence both the sciences differ from each other
from different angles which are described in next slide.
Differences:

 (1) Sociology is a science of society and is concerned with the present society. But
history deals with the past events and studies the past society.
(2) Sociology is a modern or new subject whereas history is an older social
science.

 (3) Sociology is abstract whereas history is concrete in nature.

 (4) The scope of Sociology is very wide whereas the scope of history is limited.
Sociology includes history within its scope.

 (5) Sociology is an analytical science whereas history is a descriptive science.

 (6) Attitude of sociology and history differ from each other. Sociology studies a
particular event as a social phenomenon whereas history studies a particular event in
it’s entirety.

 (7) Sociology is a general science whereas history is a special science.

Sociology and Economics:

 Sociology is mother of all social sciences. Hence it has

close relationship with all social sciences and so also with
Economics.
 The relationship of sociology with economics is very
close, intimate and personal. There exists close
relationship between these two because economic
relationships bear a close relation to social activities and
relationships.
 Likewise social relationships are also affected by
economic relationships. Economic activities to a great
extent are social activities. Hence both are mutually
related.
 Sociology is a science of society. It is concerned with the
association of human beings.
 Sociology is the study of human inter­actions and inter-relations
their conditions and consequences. But Economics deals with
economic activities of man. It is a science of wealth and choice.
 According to Prof. Robbins Economics is a social “science which
studies human behavior in relation to his unlimited ends and
scarce means which have alternative uses.”
 It is concerned with the activities of man such as production,
consumption, distribution and exchange.
 It also studies the structure and functions of different economic
organizations like banks, markets etc. It is concerned with the
material needs of man as well as his material welfare.
 However, there exists a great deal of inter-relationship between
these two sciences. Both are interdependent and inter-related with
each other.
 Because of this inter-relationship Thomas opines that, “Economics

is, in fact, but one branch of Sociology.” Similarly Silverman opines

Economics is regarded as offshoot of sociology which studies the
general principles of all social relations. Their inter-relationships are
as follows:

 Economics takes the help of Sociology. For its own comprehension

economics takes the help of sociology and depends on it.
 Economics is a part of Sociology hence without the help from

sociology economics can’t understand itself completely. Economics

is concerned with material welfare of man which is common welfare.
 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
events of that particular time.
 At the same time society controls the economic activities of man.
Economics is greatly benefited by the research conducted by Sociologists
like Max-weber, Pareto etc.
 Some economists also consider economic change as an aspect of social
change. Economic draws its generalization basing on the data provided by
Sociology. Thus economics cannot go far or develop without the help of
Sociology.

 Similarly Sociology also takes the help from economics. Economics greatly
enriches sociological knowledge. An economic factor greatly influences
each and every aspects of social life. Economics is a part of sociology hence
without the help of economics we can’t understand sociology properly.
 Knowledge and research in the field of economics greatly contributes to
sociology. Each and every social problem has an economic cause. For the
solution of social problems like dowry, suicide etc. Sociologists take the help
from economics.

 Marx opines economic relations constitute the foundation of Society.

Economic factors play a very important role in every aspect of our social life
that is why Sociologists concerned with economic institutions. For this
reason Sociologists like Spencer, Weber, Durkheim and others have taken the
help from economics in their analysis of social relationships.

 Thus both sociology and economics are very closely related with each other.
There are some problems which are being studied by both sociologists and
economists.
 Economic changes results in social changes and vice versa. However, in spite

of the above closeness, inter-relationship and inter-dependence both the

sciences have certain differences.
Difference
 (1) Sociology is a science of society and social relationships whereas economics is a
science of wealth and choice.

 (2) Sociology is a much younger science which has very recent origin whereas economics
is comparatively an older science.

 (3) Sociology is an abstract science whereas economics is concrete in nature.

 (4) Sociology is a general social science whereas economics is a special social science.

 (5) The scope of sociology is very wide whereas the scope of economics is very limited.

 (6) Sociology is concerned with the social activities of man whereas economics is
concerned with the economic activities of man.

 (7) Society is studied as a unit of study in Sociology whereas man is taken as a unit of
study in economics.

 (8) Both Sociology and economics differ from each other in respect of the methods and
techniques they use for their study.
Sociology and Psychology:
 Sociology is a science of society. Hence it is
closely related to other social sciences and so
also with psychology.
 Sociology and Psychology are very closely

interlinked interrelated and interdependent.

Relationship between the two is so close and
intimate that Psychologist like Karl Pearson
refuses to accept both as special science.
 Sociology is a science of social phenomena and social
relationship. It is a science of social group and social
institutions. It is a science of collective behavior. It
studies human behavior in groups.
 But psychology is a science of mind or mental processes.
 It is a science of human behavior. It analyses attitudes,
emotions, perception, process of learning and values of
individuals and process of personality formation in
society.
 In the words of Thouless ‘Psychology is the positive
science of human experience and behavior.’ But both the
sciences are closely related to each other which can be
known from the following.
 Sociology receives help from Psychology. Psychology is a
part of sociology hence without the help from Psychology
Sociology can’t understand itself fully and properly.
 There are many psychologists like Freud, MacDougal and
others who have enrich Sociology in many respects. They
opines that the whole social life could be reduced finally to
psychological forces.
 Each and every social problems and social phenomenon
must have a psychological basis for the solution of which
sociology requires the help from psychology.
 A new branch of knowledge has developed with the
combination of sociology and psychology which is known
as social psychology.
 Similarly, psychology depends on Sociology to comprehend itself fully.
Psychology also requires help from sociology in many cases. As human mind
and personality is being influenced by social environment, culture, customs
and traditions hence psychology take 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. Psychology requires the help from Sociology to understand these
social problems.
 Thus Sociology and Psychology are mutually dependent on each other. One

can’t comprehend itself without the help from others. Besides there are
some common area of study such as social disorganization, public opinion
etc. which are being studied by both Sociologists and Psychologists.
 Social Psychology a branch of Psychology is developed with the combination

of the two. In the words of Kretch and Crutchfield Social Psychology is the
science of behavior of the individuals in society.
Differences:

 However, in spite of the mutual relationship and dependence both the sciences
differ from each other in the following ways.

 (1) Sociology is a science of society but Psychology is a science of mind.

 (2) Scope of Sociology is wide whereas scope of Psychology is limited.

 (3) Society is the unit of study in sociology but individual is the unit of study in
case of Psychology.

 (4) Sociology studies social processes whereas Psychology studies mental

processes.

 (5) Sociology studies and analyses human behavior from Sociological angle
whereas psychology studies and analyses human behavior from Psychological
angles.
Sociology and Anthropology:
 Sociology is the mother of all social sciences. Hence it has
close and intimate relationship with Anthropology. The
relationship is so close that Anthropologists like A.L. Kroeber
consider Sociology and Anthropology as twin sisters. They
often appear as two names for the same subject. R. Reddfield
recognizes the closeness between these two social sciences.

 Sociology is a science of society. It studies behavior of man in

groups. The term Sociology has been derived from the Latin
word ‘Socius’ means society, companion or association and
the Greek word ‘logos’ means study or science. Hence
Sociology is concerned with the association of human beings.
It is a science that deals with social groups.
 Similarly the term Anthropology is derived from two Greek
words ‘anthropos’ meaning man and ‘logos’ meaning
study or science.
 Accordingly anthropology means study of man. As a
science of man it deals with man, his works and behavior.
 Anthropology studies the biological and cultural
development of man. Anthropology has a wide field of
study which can be broadly divided into three main
divisions such as physical anthropology. Archeology
cultural anthropology and social anthropology.
 Physical anthropology studies bodily characteristics of
early man and thereby try to understand both primitive
and modern cultures.
Mutual Help:

 However there exists a very close and intimate relationship between Sociology and
Anthropology.
 Both contribute to the growth of others. Both are mutually related to each other. Of

course Sociology studies society whereas anthropology studies man. But as man
and society are mutually interrelated hence it is very difficult to distinguish two.
 However their close relationship can be known from the following.

 Anthropology contributes to the growth of Sociology. Without the help of

anthropology the study of Sociology can’t be complete. It is a part of Sociology.
 Anthropology provides knowledge about ancient societies. To have a

comprehensive understanding of present society Sociology takes the help of

anthropology.
 Contributions of many Anthropologists like R. Brown, Linton, Mead and Pritchard

enriches sociological knowledge’s. The origin of family, marriage, religion etc. can
be better understood through anthropological knowledge. The concepts like
cultural area, cultural traits, and cultural lag etc. sociology accept from
anthropology.
Differences:

 (1) Sociology is a science of society whereas anthropology is a science of man and his behavior.

 (2) The scope of Sociology is very wide whereas the scope of Anthropology is very limited. Because
anthropology is a part of Sociology.

 (3) Sociology studies society as a whole whereas anthropology studies man as a part of society.

 (4) Sociology studies civilizations which are vast and dynamic on the other hand Anthropology
studies cultures which are small and static.

 (5) Sociology studies modern, civilized and complex societies whereas Anthropology studies
ancient and non-literate societies.

 (6) Sociology is concerned with social planning whereas anthropology is not concerned with social
planning. On the basis of social planning sociology make suggestion for future but anthropology
do not make any suggestion for future.

 (7)In the words of Kluckhon, “The Sociological attitude has tended towards the Practical and
Present, the anthropological towards pure understanding of the past.”