TyroCity: Sociology XI Notes

Relationship of Sociology with other Sciences

Sociology XI Notes — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 05:41:42 +0000

Sociology and History
Sociology and Political Science
Sociology and Economics
Sociology and Physiology
Sociology and Biology

It is necessary to study and analyses between sociology and other sciences on the basis of their subject matter, attitudes, study methods, etc. Here, subject matter refers to the contents of the subject, attitudes, refer to the characteristics or features of the subject and study methods indicates the way how we analyse or study it.

- Sociology and History

Both sociology and history are concerned with social events. Sociology studies modern society where historical development of society such as different stages of human life, way of living, their culture/tradition, various institutions, etc. On the other hand history studies the past in systematic manner. It deal with the past political system, social system, cultural system, leadership system, Governance system, organizations and institutions, language, art, literature, etc. It is necessary to study the historical development of the subject or content to know it better. Otherwise, it is incomplete study.

Eg. Newar society ® History ?

This means to study Newar society, it is necessary to know the historical development of that society.

As, sociology and History are inter-related with the above mentioned similarities, there are some differences also. They are as follows:

Sociology	History
Is is abstract discipline of human experience and nature	It is concrete discipline of human experience and nature
Sociology tries to find out the general law of the society	It tries to narrate the past events In chronological order
Sociology is analytical and interpretive science	History is descriptive science
Sociology is general science as it tries to establish generalization	History is particular science as it seeks to establish the sequence of events.
Society is comparatively young science. As it has the history of just two centuries.	History is aged social science which have very long history

- Sociology and Political Science

Sociology studies the various social activities and social relationships of human beings. Whereas political Science studies the political activities are also conducted within the society as it deals with the political organizations, their principles and their activities. It is also said that political science is incomplete without the study of sociological background. The state, government, nature of government organs, law and order, etc. are determined by social progress. In this context, the root ground of both sociology and Political Science are society.

“Historically, sociology has its main roots in Politics and Philosophy of history” – Gins Berg

The differences of Sociology and Political Science are as follows:

Sociology	Political Science
Sociology is the general Science.	Political Science is a particular science.
Sociology explains why and how human become social being	Political Science assumes that human is a political being
Sociology studies both organized and unorganized community	Political Science studies only the organized community
Its scope is winder as it studies the whole sociology	Its scope is narrow as it studies the state and Government
It studies both conscious and unconscious activities of human beings	It studies only conscious activities of human beings
Sociology is young science which is not even two century long	Political Science is old Science which has very long history

- Sociology and Economics

Every society is influenced by economic factors whereas all the economic activities or process are determined by the existing social environment. Without proper social environment economics cannot go ahead. Economic factors pay significance role in every aspect of our life. Economic development, industrialization, production, distribution etc. cannot be made effective without the study of the society.

According to Karl Mars (founder of communism) made of production determines social relationship, ideology and thought. Likewise, another sociologist, Maclver remarks that economic phenomena is constantly determined by all kinds of social need and activity in turn they are constantly re-determining, creating, shaping and transforming social head and activities of every kind.

Sociology and Economics are different in the following ways:

Sociology	Economics
Sociology is the general science	Economics is particular science
Sociology is abstract in nature	Economics is concrete in nature
Sociology considers human as social being	Economics considers human as Economics being
The scope of sociology is wider. As it is considered with all social relationship	The scope of economics is comparatively narrower as it is concerned only with economic activities
Sociology is a young science as its history is short	Economics is old aged science as it has a long history</ div>
Sociology studies human in sociological prospective	Economics studies human in economical prospective

- Sociology and Psychology

It is believed that sociology and psychology are closely related as there is no meaning of sociology without psychology and vice-versa. Psychology is related to consciousness which has to depend on sociology to understand human nature and behavior in proper way. Psychology provides the real fact regarding the matter of social structure, culture and social organizations to which an individual belong to develop the personality. In this sense sociology must have psychological basis as it depends on exploring the human nature in social relationship. It helps the sociologist to be realistic and more objective so that they can understand the human behavior properly.

According to Maclvers Page, when we study the individual nature or the consequences we need to go through psychological point of view. A part from this, there are following dissimilarities :

Sociology	Psychology
Sociology is general science.	Psychology is particular science.
Sociology studies the society from sociological point of view.	Psychology studies the individual behavior.
It analyses social process.	It analyses mental process.
The scope of sociology is wider as it studies all aspects of human beings and society.	The scope of physiology is comparatively narrower as it studies only the mental aspects of society.
Sociology studies social organizations and institutions with their social relationships.	Physiology studies individual as the members of society.
Experimental method is rarely used in sociology.	Experimental method is mostly used in Psychology.

- Sociology and Biology

Sociology is the study of society including human evolution, their behavior, and their development and so on. It also studies genetics and sexual behavior which can be considered as one of the most important branches of Biology. As, Biology is related with the biological development of living organisms, the biological development of human beings also come under this. Human behavior is influenced or affected by heredity or gene which is studied in Biology. Sociology also studies human behavior likewise one that major concerns of sociology is marriage that is based on Biology.

Herbert Spencer explained his theory of the evolution of society on the principle of natural evolution. So, nature and society are very close to each other.

The followings are the dissimilarities between them,

Sociology	Biology
Sociology is the general science.	Biology is pure science.
Sociology studies human as social beings.	Biology studies human as biological beings.
Sociology studies human society and its development in sociological prospective.	Biological studies human beings and other all living organisms as well as their living organisms as well as their development in biological prospective.
Sociology analyses the social process of human beings.	Biological analyses the biological process of human beings and other living organisms.
Sociology is a young science as it came into existence later which does not have even two hundred (200) years history.	Biology is old science which has a long history.

About Sociology

Sociology XI Notes — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 05:41:42 +0000

1. How this word Sociology is formed ?
Sociology is formed of two Greek and Latin words Socious and Logas where socious means society and logas means science of study. So, in sociology we learn about research, culture, tradition, human behavior of people living in a society. Sociology is a very broad subject. Unlike other subjects, we experiment or learn things theoretically.

Auguste Comte (1798-1857) is a fresh philosopher and is called father of sociology.

Likewise, Dor Bahadur Bista is known as father of sociology in Nepal. After his death, his son Kesar Bahadur Bista also became a socialist and wrote numerous volumes of books. Sociology (as used by A. Comte) is established in 1839.

Sociology is science of society. Sociology is the word used for the first time by Auguste Comte in famous Course De Philosophic Posetive (Posetive Philosopy)

Dor Bahadur Bista has written two books

1. Fatalism and Development (In context of Nepal)

2. The Newars

3. Autai Jat Ko Phulbari

There is also a famous book written by a famous writer about Hinduism. And name of the book is “Why Hindus don’t eat cow?”

Philosophy – Quest (quirisity) of Knowledge

Philosophist – Want of new knowledge, research

Secular – Equal to all religions

Why we are as we are ? Why we do as we do ?

We are influenced by the historical and social forces. Sociology studies the above question in broader view. Sociology is the systematic study of social behavior and human groups. It focuses on the influence of social relationship upon peoples attitudes and behavior as well as on how societies are established and changed.

First we think – attitude

Then we act – behavior

Sociology is the systematic study of social behavior and human groups. It focuses on the influence of social relationship upon peoples attitude and behavior of as well as on how society is established and changed.

Definition of Sociology from different Sociologist

Sociology is the science which attempts, interpretive understanding of social action. (Sociology is the science which helps to understand social action)

- Max Weber

Sociology deals with the behavior of men in groups.
- K. Young

Sociology is the study of human interaction and interrelation, their conditions and consequences.
- M. Ginsberg

Sociology is about social relationships, the net of relationship we call society.
- Maclver & Page

Sociology is the scientific study of the social life.
- Young and Mac

Sociology is the systematic description and explanation of society as a whole.
- Emile Durkheim

Sociology is the study of interactions between different parts of society.
- Hebert Spencer

Sociology is the science of social phenomena subject ti natural and invariable laws, the discovery which is the subject of investigation.
- Augste Comte

Augste Comte (a French philosopher), Emite Durlchaim (a French philosopher), Herbet Spencer (a british sociologist) and Max Weber (German sociologist) are considered as four founding fathers of sociology as they contributed a lot to develop this discipline.

Human beings are a social animal by nature as we cannot live alone or individually. This means we need society to for our survival. There are various social relations such as interaction, help, cooperation as well as conflict. All the above relationships lead the society towards the right path.

In conclusion, we can say that sociology is the discipline which always concerns with social relationship. The subject matter of sociology is the society rather than the individual. It tries to find out the evolution of human society. It’s stricture, it’s systems, the development of social institutions, their functions etc. Likewise, the norms and values of the society, tradition, culture, the interdependence of family kinship (relationship, relation with in us in society); ethnic/religious groups, state and distribution of resources, production system etc. also come under sociology.

Four father of Sociology

1. Augste Comte

2. Max Weber

3. Herbet Spencer

4. Emile Durkheim

After observing all the definition given by sociologists about sociology, we can conclude that :

Sociology is the science of society
Sociology is the science of Relationships
Sociology is the study of social life
Sociology is the human behavior in groups
Sociology is the study of social action
Sociology is the study of social groups and social systems

So, Sociology is always concerned with human society and their social relationships.

Nature of Sociology

Sociology XI Notes — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 05:41:42 +0000

Sociology is a science which is difficult than other sciences. It helps to understand the society. So, it has its own characteristics.

They are as follows:

Sociology is an independent Science
Sociology is a social science, not a physical science (it studies human beings, the social behavior, social activities as well as social life.)
Sociology is the pure science, not an applied science. (Sociology is a subject where there are no practical works. Sociology observes then society in a theoretical way but not in practical way)
Sociology is abstract science, not concurred one.
Sociology is all about generalizing, not particularizing or individualizing.
Sociology is a categorical or positive science not a normative one. (It concerns with what is like but does not concern with what should be or what ought to be.)
Sociology is bot rational and empirical science. (it is both dynamic with relations and the theories and observation, experimentation)

There are two types of observations

1. Participatory Observation
The type of observation where people participate and observe the culture of society is called participatory observation. This is the best way of learning, observing the society, where people can know the culture, tradition more deeply and clearly.

2. Non-Participatory Observation
The type of observation on where people don’t participate but observe the culture staying aside is called Non-Participatory observation. In this type of observation, people won’t get to learn more. They just see the culture participated by society and understand, know the thing seen by the eyes.

Sociology is an independent science.
Sociology is social science not physical science
Sociology is abstract not concrete
Sociology is both rational and empirical
Sociology is pure science not applied science

Describe the scope of sociology

Sociology XI Notes — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 05:41:42 +0000

Sociology has broad and wide scope. Sociology is very elastically science; it is very difficult to determine just where it ends. V.F. Calberton has his important remarks regarding the scope of sociology. There is a controversy among the sociologists about its area of study. A group of sociologist tried to limit its area where the other groups of sociologist deny it or are against it. There are two schools of thoughts:

Specialistic or Formalistic school of thought
Synthetic school of thought

Sociologists of Formalistic school of thought say sociology should study only the form of social relationship. Sociologist of this school of thought says sociology should only study about the society. Some sociologists following this school of thought are George Simmel, Max Weber, Von Wise, Tonnies, Vier Kandt.

Sociologists of synthetic school of thought thinks all the organs of social life are inter-related and interdependent. So, sociology should study over all society and social life. Some sociologists following this thought are Emmile Durkhaim, Hob House, Gins Bers, P.A. Sorkin, Manntheins.

Branches of Sociology

Sociology XI Notes — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 05:41:42 +0000

As sociology is considered a very popular and fast-growing science came into existence (only after 1839 AD) is vast and broad discipline. It has lots of specialists so that we can divide it into various sub-divisions on the basis of its contents.

The main branches of sociology are as follows:

Theoretical Sociologist It includes micro theory or small/middle/large theory. The theories of Karl Marx, August Cimte, Max Wever, Emmile Durkhaim, Sorokin, etc are studied under the theories of sociology. Eg. The theories of “Economic determinism” and the theory of “Class Struggle” of Karl Marx. Eg. “Theory of Suicide” by Emmile Durkhaim.
Historical Sociology It is the study of social facts and social groups. It studies the background of any social event. How and when different social groups or organizations originated? Eg. The history of Hindu, Roman, Greek, etc. and other major civilizations were studied by P.A. Sorkin.
Sociology of Knowledge The newly emerged branch of sociology indicates that our knowledge is the product of social phenomena. This means our knowledge is always influenced by society. The economic religious political and other interests save human belief and ideas.
Criminology This branch of sociology studies the criminal behavior of individuals or groups. Origin of crime its types of nature, causes as well as law, punishment, police, etc. come under this study, The efforts for the improvement is also studied. Different organizations establish to control the crime as well as their role also come under its study.
Sociology of Religion This branch studies the structure of the religion in the social system as no society is free from the influence of it. It analyses the social behavior of human beings. It also studies the religious constitutions and their role in the society. Augste Comte, Emmile Durkheim, Herbet Spencer did the study of elementary forms of religious life.
Sociology of Economy This branch of sociology studies production, distribution, consumption and exchange of goods and services. This branch also studies the economic activities of the society in which the focus is given about the socio-cultural factors. The access in production, the mode of distribution, the real consumers, the role of culture in such activities are studied under it. Eg. “Why Hindus don’t eat Cow?”
Rural Sociology This branch of sociology studies the way of life of rural people as the rural population is higher than the urban. The patterns of life such as behavior, belief, culture, tradition norms, values, etc. are totally different than of urban people. So, it studies the rural society in scientific way. It also studies rural life, social institutions, social structure, social processes, etc. of the rural society.
Urban Sociology This branch of sociology studies the way of life of urban people. It gives information about the social organizations and instution of urban society as well as social structure and social interaction. It also studies the social pathology of urban society such as discrimination) crime, corruption, robbery, beggary, loot, theft, unemployment, prostitution, environmental pollution, etc.
Political Sociology This branch of sociology studies different political moments of society. It includes the study of different political ideology (view), their origin, development and functions. In this study, different political parties are considered as social institutions. Various activities and behavior of political parties are studied in this branch. As they are the part of the social system.
Sociology of Demography Demography of scientific mathematical and statically study of population. It studies about the size, situation, composition, density, distribution, and measurement etc. of the population. In this branch of sociology, we study the distribution of human population with the analysis of population change in sociological perspectives. It also finds out the determining factors of population change and its trend.
Sociology of Law Sociology of law and legal system are considered as the part of society, as social institution. Law is one of the very important means of social control. Law is related with other different social sub systems. Such as economy, nature of distribution, authority, structure of family kinship relationships, etc. So, this branch of sociology is related to moral order for the society as formulation and implementation of rules and regulations, law and order come under this.
Industrial Sociology This branch of sociology is concerned with the industrial relationship of the human beings. It studies the different industrial organizations and institutions. As well as their interrelationship and links with other various institutions of society. It also studies the inter-relationships of industrial institutions with various aspects of human life such as culture, beliefs, customs, religion or the way of life.

Besides the above mentioned various branches of sociology, other different branches are also emerging day by day as sociology is a very broad social science. Some of their names are listed below:

Sociology of Family
Sociology of Race
Sociology of Occupation
Sociology of Art
Sociology of literature
Sociology of Peace
Sociology of Development
Sociology of Military
Sociology of Culture
Sociology of Planning
Sociology of Moment
Sociology of Psychology
Sociology of Differentiation
Sociology of Stratification, etc.

Sociology XI Notes

Sociology XI Notes — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 05:41:42 +0000

Unit 1: Introduction to Sociology

Unit 2: Introduction to Anthropology

Unit 3: Basic Concepts in Anthropology and Sociology

Unit 4: Social Processes

Unit 5: Social Institutions

Unit 6: Social Stratification

Unit 7: Social and Cultural Change

Unit 8: Key Figures in the History of Sociology and anthropology and their selected

Unit 9: Sociological/Anthropological Research

Scope of Sociology

Sociology XI Notes — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 05:41:42 +0000

Sociology has its broad and wider scope. Here, scope generally determines the limitations of the study. Without any limitation, it is difficult to study any discipline(Subject).

There is controversy (differences in views) among the sociologist about its area of study. A group of sociologist tries to limit its area where the other group of sociologist deny it or are against it.

V.F. Calberton has his important remarks regarding the scope of sociology.

Science, sociology is so elastically science, it is difficult to determine just where its boundaries begins and end. Sociology becomes social psychology over whether social psychology become sociology or biological theories become sociological theory something which is impossible to decide.

As we know different sociologist have controversies about the scope of sociology, there are two main schools of thoughts. They are:

Specialistic or Formalistic school of Thought Sociology should be studied only in the form of social relationships.
Synthetic school of Thought All the organs of social life are internal related and interdependent. So, sociology should be studied over all the society and social life.

Formalistic School		Synthetic School
George Simmel (Founder of this thought)	1.	Emmile Durkheim
Max Wever	2.	Gins Berg
Van Wise	3.	P.A. Sorkin
Tonnies	4.	Hob House
Vier Kandt	5.	Manntheins

CRITISM (FORMALISTIC SCHOOL OF THOUGHT)

This view is criticized as the scope of sociology is narrowed by this. According to them sociology should study not only about general forms of social relationship but also their contents of whole social life. They claim this view as impractical, because no social sciences can be studied in isolation from other social sciences. They claim that more emphasis is to be given on inter disciplinary that close interdisciplinary approach.

CRITISM (SYNTHETIC SCHOOL OF THOUGHT)

This view claims that all the organs of social life are interviewed and interdependent. So, sociology should study about overall society and social life. It doesn't limit the area of the study. All parts of social life are closely related so the study of one aspect is not sufficient to understand the entire phenomenon.

The different sociologists have given their views as follows:

Emmile Durkhim (Three Parts of Sociology)
1. Social Morphology – Geographic scope such as size, density, distribution of population
2. Social Physiology – Different branches such as sociology of religion, sociology of language, sociology of economic life and law.
3. General Sociology – Philosophical part to discover the general character of social life.

Gins Berg
1. Social Morphology – Geographic scope such as size, density, distribution of population
2. Social Control – Tradition, Culture, Religion, Moral, Belief, Norms, Laws, etc.
3. Social Process – Social interactions such as co-operation, completion, conflict, isolation, commonalities, conflict, isolation, commonalities, differences, integration, etc.
4. Social Pathology – It deals with social evils, social disturbance, malfunction etc. with their causes and effect. It includes poverty, illiteracy, social crime, unemployment, over population, prostitution, beggary.
Hob House
1. A sociologist must pursue study in particular part of social life.
2. The study must interconnect the result with different social sciences.
3. The study should interpret social life as a whole.

PA Sorkin
1. Sociology is the study of different aspects of social phenomena.
2. It includes the relationship between non-social aspects.
3. It is the study of general features of social factors.

From the above discussion, we came to know that sociology is a very wide social science. It covers both general and social aspects of sociology.

Sociology studies various aspects of society such as social morphology, social pathology, social physiology, social tradition, social process, social control, social change, social system, etc. So, it is very difficult to limit the scope of sociology. Sociology studies whole life of human beings in society. It is very difficult to determine its boundary when it starts and when it ends. By this we can say that sociology has broad scope.