Sociology

Introduction:
Sociology which had once been treated as social philosophy, or the philosophy of the
history, emerged as an independent social science in 19th century. Auguste Comte, a
Frenchman, is traditionally considered to be the father of sociology. Comte
is accredited with the coining of the term sociology (in 1839).
(sociology-4-all.blogspot.com)

Etymology:
"Sociology" is composed of two words: socius, meaning companion or associate; and
'logos', meaning science or study. The etymological meaning of "sociology" is thus the
science of society. John Stuart Mill, another social thinker and philosopher of the
19th century, proposed the word ethology for this new science. Herbert Spencer
developed his systematic study of society and adopted the word "sociology" in his works.
With the contributions of Spencer and others it (sociology) became the permanent name
of the new science.
(sociology-4-all.blogspot.com)

Definition:
Few definitions may be cited here.
Auguste Comete, the founding father of sociology, defines sociology as
The science of social phenomena subject to natural and
invariable laws, the discovery of which is the object of
investigation".
(sociology-4-all.blogspot.com)
Kingsley Davis says that
"Sociology is a general science of society".
(sociology-4-all.blogspot.com)
Harry M. Johnson opines that
"Sociology is the science that deals with social groups".
(sociology-4-all.blogspot.com)
Henry Fairchild:
"Sociology is the study of man and his human environment
in their relations to each other".
(sociology-4-all.blogspot.com)
Max Weber defines sociology as

The science which attempts the interpretative

understanding of social action in order thereby to arrive at a
casual explanation of its course and effects".
(sociology-4-all.blogspot.com)
Anthony Giddens (Sociology, 1989) provides the following general definition:
Sociology is the study of human social life, groups and
societies. It is a dazzling and compelling enterprise, having
as its subject matter our own behaviour as social beings.
The scope of sociology is extremely wide, ranging from the
analysis of passing encounters between individuals in the
street up to the investigation of world-wide social
processes.
(www.sociology.org.uk)

Field of sociology:

Social organization

It is the study of the various institutions, social groups, social stratification, social
mobility, bureaucracy, ethnic groups and relations, and other similar subjects like family,
education, politics, religion, economy, and so on and so forth.
( en.wikipedia.org)
Social psychology
It is the study of human nature as an outcome of group life, social attitudes, collective
behavior, and personality formation. It deals with group life and the individual's traits,
attitudes, beliefs as influenced by group life, and it views man with reference to group
life.
( en.wikipedia.org)
Social change and disorganization
It is the study of the change in culture and social relations and the disruption that may
occur in society, and it deals with the study of such current problems in society such as
juvenile delinquency, criminality, drug addiction, family conflicts, divorce, population
problems, and other similar subjects.
( en.wikipedia.org)
Human ecology
It deals with the nature and behavior of a given population and its relationships to the
group's present social institutions. For instance, studies of this kind have shown the
prevalence of mental illness, criminality, delinquencies, prostitution, and drug addiction
in urban centers and other highly developed places.
( en.wikipedia.org)

Population or demography

It is the study of population number, composition, change, and quality as they influence
the economic, political, and social system.
( en.wikipedia.org)
Sociological theory and method
It is concerned with the applicability and usefulness of the principles and theories of
group life as bases for the regulation of man's environment, and includes theory building
and testing as bases for the prediction and control of man's social environment.
( en.wikipedia.org)
Applied sociology
It utilizes the findings of pure sociological research in various fields such as criminology,
social work, community development, education, industrial relations, marriage, ethnic
relations, family counseling, and other aspects and problems of daily life.
( en.wikipedia.org)
Social Control:
Focuses on the ways in which members of a society influence one another so as to
maintain social order.
(www.cartercenter.org)
Social Change:
Focuses on the way society and institutions change over time through technical
inventions, cultural diffusion and cultural conflict, and social movements, among others.
(www.cartercenter.org)
Social Processes:
Focuses on the pattern in which social change takes place, and the modes of such
processes.
(www.cartercenter.org)
Social Groups:
Focuses on how social groups are formed, structured, and how they function and change.
(www.cartercenter.org)
Social Problems:
Focuses on the social conditions which cause difficulties for a large number of persons
and which the society is seeking to eliminate. Some of the problems may include:
juvenile delinquency, crime, chronic alcoholism, suicide, narcotics addiction, racial
prejudice, ethnic conflict, war, industrial conflict, slum, areas, urban poverty, prostitution,
child abuse, problem of older persons, marital conflicts, etc.
(www.cartercenter.org)

applications of Sociology
Sociology studies society in a scientific way. The scientific knowledge about
human society is needed in order to achieve progress in various field.
Sociology improves our understanding of society and increases the power of
social action. Knowledge of society, social groups, social institutions, etc. helps us
to lead an effective social life.
Sociology throws more light on the social nature of man. Sociology delves deep
into the social nature of man. It examines the relationship between individual and
society, the impact of society on man and other matters.
The study of sociology helps us to know not only our society and men but also
others, their motives, aspirations, status, occupations, traditions, customs,
institutions, culture, etc. In a huge industrialized society are experiences.
The contribution of sociology is not less significant in enriching culture.
Sociology has given training to us to have rational approach to questions
concerning ourselves, our religion customs, mores, institutions, values, ideologies,
etc. It has made us to become more objective, critical and dispassionate.
Another aspect of the practical side of sociology is the study of great social
institutions and the relations of individuals of each one of them. The home and
family, marriage and family school and education, religion and morality, etc. are
some of the main institution, through which society functions.
Sociology is useful as a teaching subject too. Sociology is a profession in which
technical competence brings its own rewards. Sociologists, especially those
trained in research procedure are in increasing demand in business, government
industry, communications, social welfare, etc. and many other areas of community
life.
The need for the study of sociology is greater especially in underdeveloped
countries. Sociologists have now drawn the attention of economists regarding the
social factors that have contributed to the economic backwardness of a few
countries. Economists have now realised the importance of sociological
knowledge in analysing the economic affairs of a country.
The study of society is a paramount importance in solving social problems. The
present world is best with several social problems of great magnitude like poverty,
beggary, unemployment, prostitution, over-population, racial-problems, crime,
alcoholism, untouchable, etc. A careful analysis of these problems is necessary in
order to solve them.
Sociological knowledge is necessary for understanding and planning of society.
Social planning has been made easier by sociology. Sociology is often considered
a vehicle of social reform and social reorganization. It plays an important role in
the reconstruction of society.
The practical utility of sociological techniques. The techniques developed by the
sociologists and other social scientists are adopted by others. Social survey was
developed and used mainly by sociologists and statisticious, it has become an
essential tool of market research and political polling. Sociologists provide a great
deal of information that is helpful in making decisions on social policy.

Study of society has helped several governments to promote the welfare of the
tribal people. Not only the civilized societies, but even the tribal societies are
faced with several socio-economic and cultural problems. Efforts are now being
made to treat the tribal no par with the rest of the civilized people.
Sociology of great practical help in the sense, it keeps us up-to-date on modern
social situations and developments. Sociology has been greatly responsible in
changing our attitudes towards fellow human beings. It has helped people to
catholic in out look and broadminded in spirit. It has minimized the mental
distance and reduced the gap between different peoples and communities.
Finally as Prof. Giddings has pointed out " Sociology tells us how to become what
we want to be".
Thus, sociology was used in the different fields of sociologists in the development
task of society and for the welfare of the society. Sociology is as important as to
form a good society, community, and a whole world.
http://sociologyanthropology.blogspot.com/2010/03/uses-of-sociology.html
References:
sociology-4-all.blogspot.com; available at http://sociology-4all.blogspot.com/2009/03/definition-of-sociology.html searched on 29 February 2012 at
8:30 pm
www.sociology.org.uk available at http://www.sociology.org.uk/as4def.doc searched on
29 February 2012 at 8:35 pm
en.wikipedia.org available at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sociologydoc searched on 29
February 2012 at 8:45 pm
www.cartercenter.org available at
http://www.cartercenter.org/resources/pdfs/health/ephti/library/lecture_notes/health_scien
ce_students/ln_sociology_final.pdfsearched on 29 February 2012 at 8:38 pm