24 Questions
Who is credited with introducing the independent discipline of Sociology?
Auguste Comte
What is the etymological meaning of the term 'sociology'?
The study of societies and societal groups
In 1839, how did Comte define sociology?
The science of human association
What did Auguste Comte initially feel about the 'hybrid' character of sociology?
Puzzled
What are the two distinct sources upon which sociology is dependent, according to its etymological meaning?
Social and philosophical
Which thinker expressed satisfaction about the 'hybridization' of sociology?
Auguste Comte
Which sociologist defined sociology as 'the science which attempts the interpretative understanding of social action in order thereby to arrive at a causal explanation of its cause and effects'?
Max Weber
According to Emile Durkheim, what is sociology the study of?
Social facts through social institutions
Who defined sociology as the science that deals with social groups: their internal forms or modes of organisation, the processes that tend to maintain or change these forms of organisation, and the relations between groups?
Harry M. Johnson
According to Maclver and Page, what is sociology about?
Social relationships
Who defined sociology as the study of social groups on the basis of social interaction?
Georg Simmel
What does the American Sociological Association define sociology as?
Study of our behaviour as social beings
What did Auguste Comte introduce for the first time?
An independent, autonomous, and systematic discipline for the study of societies
What is the etymological meaning of the term 'sociology'?
The opinion and/or knowledge about society
How did Auguste Comte initially feel about the 'hybrid' character of sociology?
He was sceptical about it
What did Emile Durkheim define sociology as?
The science of human association
Who defined sociology as 'the science which attempts the interpretative understanding of social action'?
Auguste Comte
Who expressed satisfaction about the 'hybridization' of sociology?
Auguste Comte
How did Max Weber define sociology?
The science which attempts the interpretative understanding of social action in order thereby to arrive at a causal explanation of its cause and effects
According to Emile Durkheim, what is sociology about?
The study of social facts through social institutions
How did Harry M. Johnson define sociology?
The science that deals with social groups: their internal forms or modes of organisation, the processes that tend to maintain or change these forms of organisation
What did Maclver and Page define sociology as?
The study of social groups on the basis of social interaction
How did Georg Simmel define sociology?
The study of social groups on the basis of social interaction
How does the American Sociological Association define sociology?
The social science involving the study of the social lives of people, groups, and societies
Study Notes
Development of Sociology
- Auguste Comte is credited with introducing the independent discipline of sociology.
- The etymological meaning of the term 'sociology' is the study of society (from Greek words "socius" meaning companion or associate, and "logos" meaning study or science).
Early Definitions of Sociology
- In 1839, Auguste Comte defined sociology as the scientific study of social phenomena.
- Comte initially felt that sociology had a 'hybrid' character, being a combination of two distinct sources: the philosophical and the scientific.
Contributions of Sociologists
- Max Weber defined sociology as 'the science which attempts the interpretative understanding of social action in order to arrive at a causal explanation of its cause and effects'.
- Emile Durkheim defined sociology as the study of social facts, which are the external, observable, and constraining aspects of social life.
- Robert Maclver and Page defined sociology as the science that deals with social groups: their internal forms or modes of organisation, the processes that tend to maintain or change these forms of organisation, and the relations between groups.
- Georg Simmel defined sociology as the study of social groups on the basis of social interaction.
Current Definition of Sociology
- According to the American Sociological Association, sociology is the study of the institutions and structures of societies, as well as the relationships among individuals within those societies.
- Harry M. Johnson defined sociology as the study of social relationships, institutions, and social structures.
Explore the origins and development of the discipline of sociology with this quiz. Test your knowledge of key figures and concepts in the history of sociology.
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