Nature of Sociology: Definition, Emergence and Social Changes in Society

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Emergence

  • Emerged as an independent subject in 19th century
  • When the society in Europe was going through drastic changes after Industrial revolution
  • No science could answer these questions
  • There was a need of a subject independent of science
  • August Comte is the Father of Sociology and coined the term Sociology in 1839.

Social Changes in Society

Illustration: Social Changes in Society

St. Simon named the subject Social Physics and studied it on the lines of natural sciences. He said that sociology is the study of social static and social dynamic.

Meaning

  • The word sociology is derived from the Latin word societal meaning society and Greek word logos meaning study of
  • Therefore, sociology is the study of societies
  • It is the science dealing with social groups, organisations and relations between them.
  • Sociology is the study of social relationships and the society.
  • We study culture in sociology and how it affects the social relationships
  • We study how institutions respond to change; what patterns are formed to shape changing needs forms of relationships etc.

Definitions

  • “The ongoing concerting and coordinating of individuals՚ activities” - Dorothy Smith
  • “The science of social relations.” – Small
  • “The science of collective behaviour.” – Park
  • “Sociology is the general science of the society.” – Kingsley Davis
  • MacIver “Society is the marvelously intricate and ever-changing pattern of the totality of these relationships.” (which are social)

MCQs

1. What do we study in sociology

  1. Culture
  2. Relationships
  3. Institutions
  4. All of the above

Ans. D. All of the Above

2. When did sociology emerge as an independent subject?

  1. 1832
  2. 1839
  3. 1893
  4. 20th century

Ans. B. 1839

#Sociological Concepts

#Nature of Sociology

#Definition

Manishika

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)