Sociology: Introduction, perspectives, scope, fields and significance
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This document provides information about sociology including definitions of sociology from different sociologists, the subject matter and perspectives of sociology, major sociological perspectives including functionalism, conflict theory and symbolic interactionism, types of sociology such as applied and theoretical sociology, fields of sociology, scope of sociology, and significance of sociology. It discusses concepts such as the youngest of social sciences, observation, experimentation, analysis, conclusion, social phenomena, human interactions, institutions, collective behavior, relationships, actions, micro and macro levels of analysis, consensus, inequality, symbols, and more.
Sociology: Introduction, perspectives, scope, fields and significance
- 2. Iqra Haroon (060) Muhammad Fahad Malik (067) Kinza Ayub (066) Muhammad Asad (064) Rana Aadil Khalid (061) Muhammad Mohsin Javed (062) Mubeena Ghazanfar (065)
- 3. Sociology is the youngest of all social sciences. It is a social science because of four scientific methodologies: 1) Observation 2) Experimentation 3) Analysis 4) Conclusion Sociology Socious Latin word means group of people and Logous Greek word means study Word Sociology was first used by August Comte (father of Sociology) in 1839.
- 4. Definitions of Sociology by different Sociologists August Comte He defines sociology as the science of social phenomena "subject to natural and invariable laws, the discovery of which is the object of investigation". Morris Ginsberg He defines sociology in the following way: "In the broadest sense, sociology is the study of human interactions and inter- relations, their conditions and consequences".
- 5. Emile Durkheim "Science of social institutions". Ogburn & Nimkoff "Sociology is the scientific study of social life". Robert Park “The science of collective behavior". Marshal Jones “The study of man-in- relationship to men".
- 6. Subject Matter of Sociology The Science of Social Life The Scientific Study of Society The Study of Social Relationship The Study of human behavior in groups The study of Social Actions
- 8. Social Perspectives Sociologists study everything from specific events to the big picture. • The micro level of analysis of small social patterns • The macro level of analysis of large social patterns
- 9. • look at social processes throughout society • examine the interrelationships of large-scale social structures and interrelationships (e.g., the economy, the government, and the health-care system). Macro Perspectives • focus on patterns of individual interactions, e.g. daily interactions we have on an individual level • Study how and why these interactions are shaped by larger society Micro Perspectives
- 11. Functional Perspective • Macro perspective: big perspectives that look at social processes throughout society. • Each aspect of society is interdependent and contributes to society's functioning as a whole. • Members of the society agree upon, and work together to achieve, what is best for society as a whole. • Functionalists believe that society is held together by social consensus, or cohesion ( social norms, shared values and beliefs). • Social Consensus was suggested and described by Emile Durkheim.
- 12. Family Govt FamilySchool Neglects negative impacts of social order by Gramsci. Does not encourage social change of members of society. Criticism
- 13. Conflict Perspective • Macro perspective focuses on the negative, conflicted, and ever‐changing nature of society. • Conflict theorists challenge the status quo, encourage social change. • Conflict theorists find social conflict between any groups in which the potential for inequality exists: racial, gender, religious, political, economic, and so on. • Conflict theorists note that unequal groups usually have conflicting values and agendas, causing them to compete against one another. This constant competition between groups formsthe basis for the ever‐changing nature of society. • Karl Marx writing on class system struggle originated this perspective.
- 14. Criticism It points out negative aspects of society. Undermines positive aspects of society such as, democracy and civil rights.
- 15. Symbolic Perspective • Micro perspective considers the symbols and details of everyday life, what these symbols mean, and how people interact with each other. • People attach meanings to symbols, and then they act according to their subjective interpretation of these symbols. • Words are not static “things”; they require intention and interpretation. Conversation is an interaction of symbols between individuals who constantly interpret the world around them. e.g. Wedding ceremony: Celebration, feast, Wedding ring: one of the spouses may see their circular wedding rings as symbolizing “never ending love,” while the other may see them as a mere financial expense. • American philosopher George H. Mead introduced this perspective to sociology.
- 16. Criticism • It neglects the macro level of social interpretation—the “big picture. • Symbolic integrationists miss the larger issues of society by focusing too closely on the “trees” rather than the “forest”.
- 17. Sociological Perspectives Level of Analysis Focus Symbolic Interaction Micro Use of symbols; Face to Face Interaction Functionalism Conflict Theory Macro Macro Relationship b/w parts of society. How aspects of society are functional Competition for scarce resources; How elite control poor and weak
- 20. Applied Sociology Applied Sociology using Sociological theories and methods beyond academia to answer client questions. Applied research is sometimes conducted within a multidisciplinary environment and in collaboration with different organizations like community services, universities etc.
- 21. History and Application of sociological Perspectives Harry perlstadt traces the history of applied sociology and August Comte worked and founded the figures. Perlstadt writes that Comte divided sociology in two parts. 1) Social Statics: The study of social order 2) Social Dynamics: The study of social progress and development. Perlstadt argued Comte leading two types by himself. 1) Basic Researchers: which educate and influence public debate. 2) Social Interventions: which are political activists who are responsible for actively enforcing social change.
- 22. Role for Practitioners Hans Zetterberg argues that practical sociology knowledge might be distinguished into five role. Decision Making Social Critic Researcher for Clients Consultant Educators
- 23. Decision Making: The sociologists as decision making is someone who uses social sciences in order to shape policy decisions. Educators: The sociologists as an educator is a person who teaches sociology to students typically in a university setting although sociology is now increasingly taught in schools as subject.Social Critic: The sociologist as a commentator and social critic is someone who writes for a wider public through books and articles aimed at an elected public with a view of influencing public opinion.
- 24. Reseacher for Clients: The sociologist as researcher for clients might be someone who works with public or private organizations such as mental health groups, banks or some other company that commission research on very specific topic. Consultant: The sociologist who acts as a consultant wants to answer a specific and political problem as defined by a particular clients using their cletns language and by making specific refernce to their client problem.
- 26. Theoretical Sociology Sociologists develop theories to explain social phenomena. A theory is a proposed relationship between two or more concepts. In other words, a theory is explanation for why or how a phenomenon occurs
- 27. Critical Theory Critical theory is a type of social theory oriented toward critiquing and changing society as a whole, in contrast to traditional theory oriented only to understanding or explaining it. Critical theories aim to dig beneath the surface of social life and uncover the assumptions that keep us from a full and true understanding of how the world works. Feminist Theory Feminist theory is one of the major contemporary sociological theories, which analyzes the status of women and men in society with the purpose of using that knowledge to better women's lives. Feminist theory is most concerned with giving a voice to women and highlighting the various ways women have contributed to society
- 28. Labeling Theory Labeling theory is one of the most important approaches to understanding deviant and criminal behavior. It begins with the assumption that no act is intrinsically criminal. Definitions of criminality are established by those in power through the formulation of laws and the interpretation of those laws by police, courts, and correctional institutions. Social Learning Theory Social learning theory is a theory that attempts to explain socialization and its effect of the development of the self. It looks at the individual learning process, the formation of self, and the influence of society in socializing individuals. Social learning theory is commonly used by sociologists to explain deviance and crime.
- 29. Structural Strain Theory Robert K. Merton developed the structural strain theory as an extension of the functionalist perspective on deviance. This theory traces the origins of deviance to the tensions that are caused by the gap between cultural goals and the means people have available to achieve those goals Game Theory Game theory is a theory of social interaction, which attempts to explain the interaction people have with one another. As the name of the theory suggests, game theory sees human interaction as just that: a game
- 30. Rational Choice Theory: Economics plays a huge role in human behavior. That is, people are often motivated by money and the possibility of making a profit, calculating the likely costs and benefits of any action before deciding what to do. This way of thinking is called rational choice theory.
- 31. Fields of Sociolgy Rana Aadil Khalid 15091624-061
- 32. Fields of Sociology A sociologist is one who has earned advanced degrees or pursued other advanced studies in sociology and is engaged in teaching, research or other professional work in the field of sociology.
- 33. Community The term community is one of the most elusive and vague in sociology and is by now largely without specific meaning. At the minimum it refers to a collection of people in a geographical area Characteristics of a community as follows: • Territory • Close and informal relationships • Mutuality • Common values and beliefs • Organized interaction • Strong group feeling • Cultural similarity
- 34. Medical Sociology Medical sociology is the sociological analysis of medical organizations and institutions; the production of knowledge and selection of methods, the actions and interactions of healthcare professionals, and the social or cultural (rather than clinical or bodily) effects of medical practice.
- 35. Military Sociology Military sociology is now a well-established and respected subfield within sociology. To survey the field this collection is organized around four major themes: (1) military organization (2) civil-military relations (3) the experience of war (4) the use and control of force.
- 36. Political sociology is traditionally concerned with how social trends, dynamics, and structures of domination affect formal political processes, as well as exploring how various social forces work together to change political policies. Political Sociology
- 37. The sociology of law (or legal sociology) is often described as a sub-discipline of sociology or an interdisciplinary approach within legal studies.law and sociology is broadly focused on the relationship between lawand society, both historically and in the contemporary world Sociology of law
- 38. Industrial sociology is generally a program that discusses the relationships between people in industrial settings, such as the workplace. The direction and implications of trends in technological change, globalization, labour markets, work organization, managerial practices and employment relations. Industrial Sociology
- 39. Comparative Sociology is a quarterly international scholarly journal dedicated to advancing comparative sociological analyses of societies and cultures, institutions and organizations, groups and collectivities, networks and interactions. Comparative Sociology
- 40. Scope of Sociology Muhammad Mohsin Javeed 15091624-062
- 41. Scope means the subject matter or the areas of study. Every science has its own field of inquiry. It becomes difficult to study a science systematically unless its boundary or scope is determined precisely
- 42. Sociology as a social science has its own scope or boundaries. there are two main schools of thought regarding the scope of Sociology: Formalistic School The Synthetic School
- 43. Formalistic School Sociology is a specific, pure and independent social science Scope of Sociology is very narrow and limited It is a specific social science and it should deal with social relationships from different angles. Sociology need not study all the events connected with social science. Sociology deals with specific form of human relationship. Sociology studies the various forms of social relationships
- 44. Sociologist alone does not study the forms of social relationships. Other social scientists also do that. The distinction between the forms of social relations and their contents is not practicable Thirdly, the formalistic school has narrowed down the scope of Sociology. Finally, the conception of pure Sociology is imaginary
- 45. Synthetic School Sociology is a general and systematic social science. Sociology needs help from other social sciences Scope of Sociology is very vast. It is a synthesis of social science Sociology is closely related with other social sciences.
- 46. From the above discussion, we come to know that formalistic school believes in the study of the parts, which makes up the society and synthetic school advocates the study of the whole society. However, both the schools complement to each other. They are not opposed to each other. Thus, Sociology is a general science of society and specialized discipline. Sociology is a growing science. Therefore, it is neither possible nor desirable to restrict its scope.
- 48. Significance of Sociology Factual information from research will better understand our society and other societies . • Understanding • Broad minded • Tolerant
- 49. learn the application of scientific methods and techniques to our daily life problems It enables us to see the connection between our personal experiences and the social forces in the bigger social world daily which influences life.
- 50. The results of sociological investigations provide a better background for meeting and solving problems. It analyses the structure of society and studies the factors that contribute to the creation of social groups
- 51. Sociology includes the study of behavioral patterns , interactions and relationship among the individuals of society , as well as their ethical and moral values. It furnishes interested people and specialized sciences with principles and scientific data which they can use in their work
- 52. Results of sociological investigations are useful to government officials, community leaders entrepreneurs , businessmen, etc It can help give us a deeper understanding of issues such as abuse and crimes and make us sensitive enough to recognize them as problems that need help.