Introduction to Sociology

Sociology
Sociology is known as the “science of society”. It is
the youngest discipline of the Social Sciences.
It studies the nature and character of human society,
and also its origin and development, structure and
functions
It also analyses the group life of man and examines the
bond of social unity.
It analyses the influence of economic, political,
technological , cultural and other forces and factors on
man and his life
 SOCIOLOGY
ETYMOLOGY OF THE
Socius
Socius
(Latin
(Latin
WORD:
))

SOCIOL
OGY

Logie
Logie //
logus(
logus(
Greek)
Greek)

Adopted by Auguste Comte in 1839

01/20/2021 Introducing Sociology 3
Definitions
“Sociology is the study of human interactions and
interrelations, their conditions and consequences”- M.
Ginsberg
“Sociology is the study of learning about society . It is
the description of ways to make society better. It is
social ethics, a social philosophy. Genrerally , however
it is defined as a science of Society”-W.F. Ogburn
Cont...
Science of social institutions“
-Emile Durkheim
"Sociology is a general science of society".
-Kingsley Davis
 “…sociology is the science that deals with social groups”
-Harry M Johnson
 "Sociology is the scientific study of social life“
-Ogburn and Nimkoff
Cont....
The common idea underlying all the views is that
sociology is concerned with human relationships.
While studying Social relationships, sociologists
attempt to discover the evolution of society ; its social
systems and structures; the development of social
institutions and functions, the customs and rules
regulating social relationships, groups and
communities formed by man ; the nature and
interdependence of these groups such as family,
caste ,government groups etc. and phenomenon of
social change
Significance of Sociology
Studies society in a scientific way
Social nature of man
Improves understanding of society and increases the
power of social action
Not only know and understand about our society and
men but also of others, their motives,aspirations,
status,occupations,traditions, customs,institutions ,
culture etc
Cont...
Studies the great social institutions and the relations
of individuals of each of them
Great importance in the solution of social problems
Has changed our outlook with regards to problems of
crime
Sociology is useful as a teaching subject
Sociological knowledge is necessary for understanding
and planning of society
Cont...
Solution of international problems
Great contribution to enrich human culture
Keeps us up-to- date on modern social situations and
developments
Help the government for the development of tribal
and other economically backward people
Subject Matter of Sociology
Not only a science with its own subject matter but
also the mother of all Social sciences
Some critics say that it does not have its own subject
matter of its own and it has borrowed from other
social sciences
 Actually it is not only a separate science with a
subject matter of its own but has acquired the status to
be called the mother of social sciences
The subject matter of sociology is social life as a
whole
Scope of Sociology
Every science has its own areas of study
There is no one opinion about the scope of sociology
Two schools of Thought-
1. The Specialistic or Formalistic School- advocated
by George Simmel, Max Weber,Vierkandt,Small, and
Von Weise
2. The Synthetic School – advocated by Emile
Durkheim,Hobhouse and Sorokin
Formalistic School
Sociology studies one specific aspect of social
relationship that is it describes, classifies, analyses the
form of social relationships
It is a pure and independent science
The form of social relationship do not change with the
change in the content of social relationship
 has limited the scope of sociology as no science can
be studied in complete isolation from other sciences
Today more emphasis is on inter-disciplinary
approach
Synthetic School
It is a synthesis of the social sciences
It wants to make sociology a general social science not
a pure or special science
Sociology has three divisions- by Durkheim
Social Morphology
Social Physiology
General Sociology
Cont...
Four divisions by Ginsberg
1. Social Morphology
2. Social Control
3. Social Processes
4. Social Pathology
Cont..
Scope of sociology is very wide
 General science and also a special science
Subject matter of all social sciences is society but only
different from viewpoints
Sociology studies society and social relationships
Sociology studies all the various aspects of society
such as social traditions,social processes,social
control, social morphology and effects of extra social
elements on social relationship
Indian Society
Society is most fundamental to sociology.
Derives from Latin word, ‘socius’ which means
companionship or friendship
A society is a collection of individuals united by
certain relations or mode of behaviour which mark
them off from others who do not enter into these
relations
community of people living in a particular country or
region and having shared customs, laws, and
organization
The

Essence Of India
Lies in its wealth of diversity
India is a mixture of contrasts and contradictions
It reflects in every form of India’s identity
Entertain India
Bollywood… RETRO…
And Now…
Brands In India
Brands in India
Relation b/w Society and Management
Studies
Management is the process of management of
different business activities to run the business slowly
Sociology is comprehensively study of human
behaviour, structure, institutions and development of
society
Sociologists study (and are often aware of) the
cultural and social aspects that shape an individual
Cont...
According to an article by the American Sociological
Association (ASA), sociology “…is the scientific study
of society, including patterns of social relationships,
social interaction, and culture.”
sociologists study all things human, from the
interactions between two people to the complex
relationships between nations or multinational
corporations.”
Cont....
The study of society  gives business leaders and
human resource managers an advantage when
dealing with employees in the workplace. 
Business leaders and entrepreneurs having a good
knowledge of society are able to anticipate customers’
needs and able to respond to employees problems
Cont...
Develop analytical thinking and capabilities of
business administrators and managers
Able to handle customers and employees in workplace
Able to establish good public relations
Understand the problems of employees and respect
their customs and norms
Manufacture products looking at the socio-cultural
background of Consumers or customers
Lead to quick and practical decision making
Cont...
 Businesses face a lot of competition daily. It is no secret
that cutthroat competition can put one out of business
A business leader can look at a country that was
previously ravaged by war or disease and know that its
people require basic infrastructure offerings and access
to education and medical facilities.
If your company specializes in medical supplies, this is
an opportunity; if company sells luxury vehicles, you
would look elsewhere and identify a population that
requires your services.
Cont...
Sociology is an integral part of any business. We say this
because, let’s face, the actual business transaction
happens between people. Having a good understanding of
human behavior based on one’s background in sociology
helps the company to grow the business in ways others
can not.
In other words, sociology can help business owners,
marketers and managers to develop skills that come in
handy whether you’re researching the market
conditions, trying to improve your products/services,
or looking to boost the morale of your team.