Relation between 

Sociology and Social Work

Sociology, as generally understood, is the study of society. The study

of society implies the study of human beings, their interrelationship,
and their relationship with the immediate social environment. To be
precise and specific, the subject matter of sociology includes:

§  Social Morphology: it encompasses matters like population, its

qualities, social groups, social institutions, organisation etc.

§ Social Processes: Cooperation, competition, conflict,

accommodation, adaptation, assimilation, adjustment and
socialisation etc., which are essential for meeting human needs.

§  Social Control: religion, tradition, folklore, morality, beliefs, laws,

values, etc.

§ Social Pathology: Crime, delinquency, suicide, unemployment,

corruption, family disorganisation, poverty, climate change issues
etc.

Thus, it can be seen that sociology deals with humanitarian

organisations, their structure, their relationship, gaps underlying the
psycho-social needs, and social interactions, which are essential for
maintaining a decent standard of living in society.

Social work derives ample knowledge from sociology because the

psycho-social problems of individuals, groups or communities
cannot be diagnosed and solved without knowing their social
environment.

The knowledge base of sociology is essential for social workers

because of the following factors:
 Sociology as a discipline studies different patterns of interactions of
individuals and groups. In contrast, social work is responsible for
solving the problems of these individuals and groups through the
group work process. Hence, to better understand and solve
individual or group problems, the social worker must look at
sociology.

§  Social environment plays a vital role in shaping an individual's life by

affecting their attitude and behaviour. Hence, without having
adequate knowledge about the components of social settings for the
individual, change cannot be brought in man. Therefore to gain such
understanding, social workers depend on sociology.  

§  Individual behaviour is mainly conditioned by culture, tradition,

folkways, values, norms, beliefs, etc. these are the constituents of
the culture studied in sociology. Therefore, it is essential to study
sociology to solve the problems borne out by cultural
malfunctioning.

§   In social work, the knowledge about social roles and expectations of
individuals is of great significance. Maladjustment is felt when an
individual fails to play his role according to his position, leading to
many social problems. It also hampers the expectations of others
and leads to social disturbance. Therefore, the social worker tries to
understand the roles and expectations by studying sociology.

§  Social work studies life, community relations, and social

developmental characteristics. The function of social work is not
only to solve psycho-social problems but also to enter into the field
of social development. This work is possible only when the
characteristics of groups and communities are studied. This
knowledge is derived from the study of sociology. 

§  The knowledge about social problems and their factors forms an

integral part of the body of knowledge of social work because it is
known that the main aim of social work is to solve psycho-social
problems. This part of social work has been borrowed from sociology.
§  Sociology also deals with social processes like cooperation,
competition, conflict, accommodation, adaptation, assimilation,
adjustment, socialisation etc., the knowledge about which is
essential for social work practice hence form the part of social work
theory.

Thus, the contribution of sociology to the development of social

work theories cannot be denied.

Relation between Psychology and Social Work

Psychology, as generally understood, is the study of the mind. Mc
Dougall has called it "the positive science of conduct and behaviour."
Murphy, another thinker of psychology, has defined it as "the science
that studies living individuals' responses to their environment.
Psychology examines the general principles of human attitude and
behaviour. The fundamental laws of motivation, perception, learning,
memory, thinking etc., are universal to all human beings, irrespective
of the culture and social environment they were brought up in. As a
study of the mind, psychology studies an individual in the abstract. It
analyses the mental aspects of individuals through an individualistic
approach with particular emphasis on the internal qualities of an
individual and their manifestations in terms of behaviour.

The theory of social work has an intimate relationship with the idea
of social work because, in solving individual and group problems, it
attempts to study individuals from their mental perspective. It
studies individuals' social psychology, which is concerned with
behavioural and social issues. This knowledge is essential for social
work practice as it is concerned with individual needs and problems.

A social worker helps an individual after studying his attitude,

perception, learning ability, internal quotient, etc. These are
significant parts of an individual's personality. Very often, problems
of individuals stem from the inadequacies of these factors and take
the form of social issues. For this reason, a social worker needs
knowledge about different dimensions of these factors as he tries to
affect the behaviour of the individual concerned and tries to make
necessary modifications for inducing the problem-solving process.
Hence, a decent part of the knowledge of psychology has been
incorporated into the theory of social work.

Relation between Economics and Social Work

In his definition of economics, Marshal emphasised the welfare
aspect of human beings. In his words, "Economics on one side is the
study of wealth; and on the other hand a part of a study of man". As
a branch of knowledge, it deals with wealth, but it is concerned with
wealth because it studies man's actions regarding how he earns
wealth and how he spends it towards meeting his needs. It is a social
science learning how people attempt to accommodate material
scarcity to their wants.

Fulfilling the material needs of an individual is an important aspect

and closely connected with social life. Hence, the economic part of
life is a vital factor in his growth and development. His personal and
social life is affected to a great extent by economic conditions.

Social work as a profession primarily deals with the problems of man

and society. Problems for individuals and society arise due to the
unfulfillment of their material needs. Therefore, social workers have
to look into the economic condition of individuals and society before
taking steps the solution to their problems. Social and economic
conditions are interconnected and interrelated. Therefore, studying a
man's financial situation is vital while looking at his social need for
growth and development. For this reason, while formulating social
work theories, adequate care has been taken to include some
relevant parts of economics in social work knowledge.
Relation between Political Science and Social
Work
In a general sense, Political Science is the science of the state. It
deals with the association of human beings in the form of political
units and the government. Political Science explains the nature and
function of the state, its importance, organisation, administration,
principles, policies and its laws and legislations for the wellbeing of
society. It also explains the suitability of policies, plans, welfare
schemes and their implementation under the public domain. The
state has the power to control all types of economic, moral, cultural
and religious relations and mutual interaction between individuals,
groups and communities. Several problems can effectively be solved
by enacting legislation.

Social work takes the responsibility to deal with the problems of

individuals, groups and communities. In this task, social work tries to
study the nature of association and interactions of such individuals,
groups and communities for inclusive growth and development.
Moreover, in a welfare state like India, where the government takes
the responsibility of ensuring the welfare of all sections of the
population, social workers have to seriously look into the policies,
schemes and programmes that link them up to the needs of the
communities for the betterment of the people. In this sense, a social
worker needs to know all of these for the better performance of his
duties. Thus, looking into such requirements of the knowledge of
Political science in social work practice, some political science, like
other science, has been incorporated into the body of social work
knowledge.

Relation between Statistics and Social Work

As generally understood, statistics is the science that deals with the
numerical representation of data to analyse various facts. According
to Saligman, "Statistics is the science which deals with the methods
of collecting, classifying, presenting, comparing and interpreting
numerical data to throw some light on any sphere of enquiry".
According to King, "the science of statistics is the method of judging
collective, natural or social phenomenon from the result obtained
from the analysis or enumeration or collection of estimates." Lovits
defines statistics "As the science which deals with the collection,
classification and tabulation of numerical facts as the basis for
explanation, description and comparison of phenomena."

Statistics attempts to simplify complexities in studies. It effortlessly

describes a phenomenon for easy understanding. Statistical
methods are the best ways to measure the results of cause and
effect relationships between two phenomena. Statistics enlarges
human experience and knowledge by making it easier for men to
understand, describe and measure the effects of their own actions or
the actions of others.

As it is known to us, social work deals with different types of

problems. For this purpose, the nature, severity, and factors
information is collected, organised, and analysed. Based on this
analysis, planning for the solution to the given problem is done. Thus,
statistics help social workers effectively solve the problems of
individuals, groups, and communities by accurately measuring
various facts associated with those problems. Statistics, therefore,
find an important place in the knowledge base of social work.

Relation between Social Anthropology and Social

Work
Social anthropology is that branch of sociological studies which
mainly devotes itself to primitive human beings and primitive
societies. It studies the activities of human beings that bring
satisfaction to psycho-physical needs. It basically explores the
culture of society which is less changeable. The folkways, mores,
traditions and values of primitive men are different from modern
people. Their nature and factors of problems are also different from
modern societies.

There are several social work schools in India where subjects of

primitive societies and tribal welfare are taught as full-time and
specialised courses. Social work students receive information
regarding tribal organisations, their values, beliefs, and customs and
based on this information, they try to understand the needs and
problems of the tribal people. Then an appropriate action plan is
prepared for the solution of their problems. This part of social work
knowledge has been borrowed from the study of social
anthropology.

Relation between Ethics and Social Work

Ethics is the science that deals with good conduct. It helps one
understand what is right or wrong, good or bad and necessary or
unnecessary. It studies the righteousness or correctness of
behaviour. To determine whether a particular behaviour is justified,
the social background must be kept in mind. The behaviour
considered correct in one society may not be taken to be accurate in
another. It is based on social behaviour that the norms of morality
developed. Therefore, ethics studies social behaviour from the point
of view of the standard of morality.

Social work helps individuals in solving their psycho-social and

adjustment problems. Most of the adjustments problems are due to
an individual's value conflict. These problems can only be solved by
changing or modifying the behaviour of individuals. Modification or
change of behaviour is possible by resolving value conflict. Hence,
social work has incorporated some ethics knowledge to train social
workers to enhance understanding and skills in solving value
conflicts in the client.