Introduction to Sociology

Learning Objectives
• A deep understanding of Sociology to other
Social Sciences
• The relationship of Sociology and
Anthropology
• The study of the areas of Sociology
• Understanding of Social Organization in
studying human being in Society
 Sociology :

Latin word – "socius" means

• or “associate”

• “companion”

• Logos –a greek word for “study”.

Definition:
- It is the study of

association,

group,

society and

social interaction.
 Sociology
• the study of the development, structure, and
functioning of human society. the study of
social problems.
What they produce,

and how they interact with their environments.

Anthropologists try to understand the full range of human

diversity as well as what all people share in common.
 Anthropologists asks such basic
questions as: When, where, and how
did humans evolve?
 How have societies developed and
changed from the ancient past to the
present?
 Essential characteristics of sociology

1. Neutral
- ethically neutral and maintains a value-free
position.
2. It is concerned with the study of
human social life.
• .

3. It is a science
A systematic study of anything that
can be examined, tested, and verified.
 Science
The word science is derived from the Latin
word scire, meaning “to know.” From its
early beginnings, science has developed
into one of the greatest and most
influential fields of human endeavor. Today
different branches of science investigate
almost everything that can be observed or
detected, and science as a whole shapes
the way we understand the universe, our
planet, ourselves, and other living
 Importance of Sociology
1. Factual information from research will better
understand our society and other societies.

2. Learn the application of scientific methods and

techniques to our daily life problems.

3. It enables us to see the connection between our

personal experiences and the social forces in the
bigger social world daily which influences life.
4. It furnishes interested people and specialized
sciences with principles and scientific data
which they can use in their work.
5. It provides insights into the interrelationship
of human beings within the group so that we
may live in harmony with others.
6. The results of sociological investigations
provide a better background for meeting and
solving problems.
7. The results of inquiry can help dispel popular myths,
superstitions and stereotypes with accurate
knowledge about human behavior and human
societies.

8. It broadens our experience as we learn to discard our

prejudices and biases as we become more
understanding and tolerant of the customs of other
people.

9. Results of sociological investigations are useful to

government officials, community leaders,
entrepreneurs, businessmen, etc.
 AREAS OF SOCIOLOGY

1. SOCIAL ORGANIZATION
2. SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
3. SOCIAL CHANGE
4. HUMAN ECOLOGY
5. POPULATION STUDIES
6. SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY AND
RESEARCH APPLIED SOCIOLOGY
1. SOCIAL ORGANIZATION

* SOCIAL GROUPS
* SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS
* SOCIAL STRATIFICATIONS
DIVISION OF SOCIETY INTO LEVELS
BASED ON WEALTH OR POWER
* MOBILITY

1. the ability to move about, especially to do work

or take exercise

2. change to another social group: the ability of

somebody to change from one social group or
class to another.

* ETHNIC RELATIONS
BUREAUCRACY
• The term is used mostly
in referring to
government
administration,
especially regarding
officials in the federal
government and civil
service. It is often used
derogatorily to suggest
waste, inefficiency, and
red tape.
Pioneers/forerunners of sociology
HENRI SAINT-SIMON (1760-1825)

1. WROTE HIS IDEAS ABOUT

SOCIETY BASED ON THE
ASSUMPTION THAT THE LAW
OF HUMAN BEHAVIOR
COULD BE
DETERMINED IN THE
MANNER THAT THE
LAW OF NATURE
HAD BEEN ARRIVED
AT BY NATURAL
SCIENTIST.
AUGUSTE COMTE (1798-1857
A FRENCH
PHILOSOPHER WHO
ADVOCATED THE IDEA
OF
“POSITIVISM” OR THE
USE OF EMPIRICAL
INVESTIGATION
TO UNDERSTAND
SOCIETY AND SOCIAL
PHENOMENON.
KARL MARX (1818-1883
A GERMAN
PHILOSOPHER WHO
BELIEVED THAT THE
MISERY AND
EXPLOITATION OF THE
WORKING
LOWER CLASSES IN
SOCIETY WAS CAUSED
BY CAPITALISM-
THE EXISTING
INDUSTRIAL ORDER.
EMILE DURKHEIM (1858-1917)

5. A FRENCH SOCIOLOGIST
WHO FOCUSED ON THE
CHARACTERISTICS OF
SOCIAL GROUPS,
PARTICULARLY THE
COHESION OR NON
COHESION OF
RELIGIOUS
GROUPS.
MAX WEBER (1864-1920)

• 6. A GERMAN ECONOMIST-
LAWYER WHOSE WORKS
DWELT ON THE
SIGNIFICANCE OF
SUBJECTIVE MEANINGS
PEOPLE GIVE TO THEIR
ECONOMIC STATUS
RELATIONSHIP OF SOCIOLOGY TO THE
OTHER SCIENCES
1. SOCIOLOGY AND ECONOMICS.
A GREAT DEAL OF HUMAN SOCIAL
BEHAVIOR IS ECONOMICALLY MOTIVATED.
THE DESIRE FOE ECONOMIC GAINS AND
POSSESSION OF MATERIAL WEALTH ARE
STRONG MOTIVATING FORCES FOR HUMAN
BEHAVIOR.
SOCIOLOGY AND ANTHROPOLOGY
• ANTHROPOLOGY IS THE SCIENCE WHICH
STUDIES MAN BOTH ANIMAL AND AS LIVING
IN SOCIETY, HIS ORIGINS, DEVELOPMENT,
DISTRIBUTION SOCIAL HABITS AND CULTURES.
SOCIOLOGY AND HISTORY
• SOCIOLOGY
MAKES USE OF
DATA AND PIECES
OF INFORMATION
THAT ARE
PROVIDED BY
HISTORIANS IN
ORDER TO FORM
CERTAIN
GENERALIZATIONS
ABOUT SOCIETY
AND SOCIAL
INTERACTIONS.
 SOCIOLOGY AND POLITICAL SCIENCE

• SOCIOLOGISTS ARE INTERESTED IN THE

STUDY OF THE SOCIAL INTERACTIONS
INVOLVED IN HUMAN POLITICAL ACTIVITIES,
THE DISTRIBUTION OF POWER IN THE
SOCIETY, THE FORMATION OF POLITICAL
DYNASTIES, AND THE ROLE OF WOMEN AND
ETHNIC GROUPS IN POLITICAL EVENTS.