Introduction to Sociology

• Sociology is the systematic study of society, social institutions, relationships, and human behavior.
• It examines how individuals and groups interact, how societies are structured, and how social change occurs.
• The discipline emerged in response to social, political, and economic shifts and employs scientific methods.
• The term "Sociology" comes from the Latin "Socius" (companion or society) and the Greek "Logos" (study or science).
• Sociology literally means the study of society and helps individuals understand social norms, culture, class structures, family systems, and politics.
• According to Auguste Comte, "Sociology is the science of social phenomena subject to natural and invariable laws."
• Émile Durkheim stated, "Sociology is the study of social facts."
• Max Weber defined it as "the science that studies social action."

Sociology as a Social Science

• Sociology uses a scientific approach to study human behavior, similar to natural sciences.
• It employs empirical research methods like surveys, interviews, and observations.
• Sociologists may conduct surveys to study how poverty affects education.

Empirical and Objective Nature

• Sociology relies on real-world observations and data rather than personal beliefs or assumptions.
• It follows scientific methods to study human behavior objectively.
• Durkheim's study of suicide used statistical data to identify social causes.

Generalizing Science

• Sociology seeks to identify patterns and general principles that apply to different societies.
• It focuses on groups and institutions rather than individuals.
• Studies show that industrialization often leads to urbanization across different countries.

Theoretical and Applied Discipline

• Sociology develops theories like Functionalism and Conflict Theory to explain social behavior.
• It is applied in policymaking, education, business, and healthcare.
• Governments use sociological research to create policies on poverty and crime.

Dynamic and Evolving Discipline

• Sociology evolves to study new issues as society changes.
• Modern sociological studies include globalization, digital technology, and climate change.
• Sociologists study how social media influences relationships and mental health.

Holistic Science

• Sociology studies all aspects of human life, including culture, economy, politics, and religion.
• It connects with other fields like psychology, anthropology, and economics.
• A study on education also considers economic background, family influence, and government policies.

Independent Science

• Sociology has its own unique theories and methods, although it shares concepts with other sciences.
• It does not rely entirely on economics, history, or psychology but integrates insights from them.
• While psychology focuses on individual behavior, sociology studies how groups and societies function.

Value-Free Science

• Sociologists aim to study society without personal bias or moral judgment.
• The focus is on understanding facts rather than advocating beliefs.
• A sociologist studying gender roles analyzes how they exist in different societies without promoting any one perspective.

Origin of Sociology

• Early social thought involved philosophers, historians, and religious thinkers who studied society in different ways.

Founding Thinkers

• Auguste Comte coined the term "sociology" and introduced positivism (a scientific approach to studying society). He is considered the Father of Sociology.
• Herbert Spencer compared society to a living organism and introduced Social Darwinism (survival of the fittest in society).
• Karl Marx developed Conflict Theory, focusing on class struggle and capitalism.
• Émile Durkheim studied social order and solidarity and wrote Suicide, the first sociological study using statistics.

Meaning of Sociology

• Sociology is the scientific study of society, human behavior, social relationships, and institutions. Its nature is characterized by key traits:
• It is a body of systematic knowledge science is based on reason and evidence

Nature of Sociology

• According to Sociologist Robert Bierstedt, clearly explains the nature of sociology.

Formalistic School

• Sociology is special science. The school believes that sociology should not be generalizationsed so it confines to the specific aspects of society. It is also pure and an independent science.

Synthetic School

• It is a general science this implies that the scope of study is very wide. Sociology should not limitits scope to some problems so that society should also be studied.

Branches of Sociology

• Rural & Urban Sociology: Marriage, social stratification, gerontology, the study of old aged people, modernity and post modernity
• The term sociology was coined by French Philosopher Auguste Comte in early 19th century in his book Positive Philosophy and was also referred to as the father of sociology.