SOCIOLOGY AS A SCIENCE: AREAS, BRANCHES AND HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT
The Study of Sociology
Sociology
- Derived from the Greek word logos meaning “science” or “study” and Latin word socius
meaning “group” or “partner”
- According to Joseph Fichter, sociology is the scientific study of patterned and shared human
behavior (Palispis, 2007)
- Is the systematic study of the patterns of human behavior, which deals with the life of a group.
Its focus is not on individuals and individual behavior but on social behavior.
Sociology as a Science
- Deals with the systematized or organized body of facts about patterns of human interactions
and of group life, that is, of people living in interdependence.
Areas of Sociology
1. Social organization
This area covers the studies of social institutions, social groups, social stratification, social
mobility, bureaucracy, ethnic groups and relations; and topics like family education, politics,
religion, and economy.
2. Social psychology
This is an area in sociology that deals with the study of human nature resulting from group life,
social attitudes, collectives behavior, and personality formation. It views man with reference to
group life.
3. Social change and social disorganization
These areas include changes in culture and social relations, as well as social disruptions such as
juvenile delinquency and population problems to name a few, that may occur in a society.
4. Human ecology
It deals with the nature and behavior of a given population and its relationship with other social
groups and with the existing institutions.
5. Population or demography
This area of sociology studies the number, composition, changes, and quality of a given
population as they affect the economic, political, and social systems.
6. Sociological theory and method
This area is concerned with how the principles and theories of group life may be applied and
utilized for the regulation of man.
7. Applied sociology
This area of sociology is concerned with the finding of pure sociological research in various fields
like criminology, community development, education, marriage, and other problems and
aspects of man’s daily life.
The Study of Sociology
Sociology
- Derived from the Greek word logos meaning “science” or “study” and Latin word socius
meaning “group” or “partner”
- According to Joseph Fichter, sociology is the scientific study of patterned and shared human
behavior (Palispis, 2007)
- Is the systematic study of the patterns of human behavior, which deals with the life of a group.
Its focus is not on individuals and individual behavior but on social behavior.
Sociology as a Science
- Deals with the systematized or organized body of facts about patterns of human interactions
and of group life, that is, of people living in interdependence.
Areas of Sociology
1. Social organization
This area covers the studies of social institutions, social groups, social stratification, social
mobility, bureaucracy, ethnic groups and relations; and topics like family education, politics,
religion, and economy.
2. Social psychology
This is an area in sociology that deals with the study of human nature resulting from group life,
social attitudes, collectives behavior, and personality formation. It views man with reference to
group life.
3. Social change and social disorganization
These areas include changes in culture and social relations, as well as social disruptions such as
juvenile delinquency and population problems to name a few, that may occur in a society.
4. Human ecology
It deals with the nature and behavior of a given population and its relationship with other social
groups and with the existing institutions.
5. Population or demography
This area of sociology studies the number, composition, changes, and quality of a given
population as they affect the economic, political, and social systems.
6. Sociological theory and method
This area is concerned with how the principles and theories of group life may be applied and
utilized for the regulation of man.
7. Applied sociology
This area of sociology is concerned with the finding of pure sociological research in various fields
like criminology, community development, education, marriage, and other problems and
aspects of man’s daily life.
