Emergence of Sociology
During the 19th century sociology emerged as separate social science in Europe and its
The objective was the study of society. Auguste Comte, Spencer and Emile Durkheim
besides several other social thinkers sought to establish the idea of society as a matter
of study, unique in itself. They examined society as a whole - which is more than the
sum of its parts. Society is more than the actions, thoughts, values, beliefs and wishes of its
individual members. It is a complex and abstract reality; yet all human beings
live in a society.
A sociologist is interested in the general study of social behaviour as it occurs in
groups, large or small, and lays special stress on understanding social life in the
contemporary world. The word 'general' has been used as other social science disciplines
deal with more specific areas. For example, a political scientist studies governmental
functions and activities and an economist studies production distribution of goods. It is,
however, difficult to draw an exact line of difference.
Social psychology, social anthropology, political science and economics, all in a sense,
have human social life as their general subject.
As sociology is a relatively young discipline compared with the discipline of philosophy,
economics and political science, sometimes, people confuse it with social work.
Sociology is used in the discipline of social work to analyse and understand social
problems. Social work is concerned with the uplift of those socially deprived, physically
handicapped, etc. Sociology is not concerned with the reformation of society as such nor is it
directly involved in social planning or directed change. The sociological
understanding and research can help in better planning and in finding ways and means
of acceptance of improved practices, in the formulation of development policies and
programmes. It is generally accepted that sociologists do not interfere with social
process. They are supposed to be value-neutral, they are not supposed to have any
bias or prejudice in the analysis of social behaviour. There are, however, at present, some
who question this and feel that sociologists must take an active role in the development
process.
We have defined sociology as the study of social life and group interaction and
social behaviour. In order to understand social life, sociology is interested in the study of the
organisation and the functioning of societies or social groups.
Sociology is the systematic study of social behavior and human groups. It focuses primarily
on the influence of social relationships upon people's attitudes and behavior and on how
societies are established and change. As a field of study sociology has a very broad scope.
During the 19th century sociology emerged as separate social science in Europe and its
The objective was the study of society. Auguste Comte, Spencer and Emile Durkheim
besides several other social thinkers sought to establish the idea of society as a matter
of study, unique in itself. They examined society as a whole - which is more than the
sum of its parts. Society is more than the actions, thoughts, values, beliefs and wishes of its
individual members. It is a complex and abstract reality; yet all human beings
live in a society.
A sociologist is interested in the general study of social behaviour as it occurs in
groups, large or small, and lays special stress on understanding social life in the
contemporary world. The word 'general' has been used as other social science disciplines
deal with more specific areas. For example, a political scientist studies governmental
functions and activities and an economist studies production distribution of goods. It is,
however, difficult to draw an exact line of difference.
Social psychology, social anthropology, political science and economics, all in a sense,
have human social life as their general subject.
As sociology is a relatively young discipline compared with the discipline of philosophy,
economics and political science, sometimes, people confuse it with social work.
Sociology is used in the discipline of social work to analyse and understand social
problems. Social work is concerned with the uplift of those socially deprived, physically
handicapped, etc. Sociology is not concerned with the reformation of society as such nor is it
directly involved in social planning or directed change. The sociological
understanding and research can help in better planning and in finding ways and means
of acceptance of improved practices, in the formulation of development policies and
programmes. It is generally accepted that sociologists do not interfere with social
process. They are supposed to be value-neutral, they are not supposed to have any
bias or prejudice in the analysis of social behaviour. There are, however, at present, some
who question this and feel that sociologists must take an active role in the development
process.
We have defined sociology as the study of social life and group interaction and
social behaviour. In order to understand social life, sociology is interested in the study of the
organisation and the functioning of societies or social groups.
Sociology is the systematic study of social behavior and human groups. It focuses primarily
on the influence of social relationships upon people's attitudes and behavior and on how
societies are established and change. As a field of study sociology has a very broad scope.
