 Sociology

The term sociology has its origin from the Latin word Socius and the Greek word Ology (study of).
Thus, the literal meaning of Sociology is science of society. It means the science which studies the
relation of society.

The Frenchmen Auguste Comte is known as the father of sociology as he coined the term sociology
in the 1830s.

Sociology also has various disciplines, such as geography, psychology, history, science, anthropology,
etc., which helps to understand the various aspects of society.

Sociology is known as the mother of all social sciences.

Sociology and anthropology are known as the sister disciplines Anthropology is the closest discipline
to Sociology. They have similar historical background.

Sociology is the study of society.

Sociology also studies various components of society such as culture, group, people, etc.

It combines various methods of research and analysis to understand the different aspects of society
such as gender, caste, class, groups, ethnics, tribes, institutions, etc.

It has various areas of research.

It examines the social life, social change, social causes and consequence of human behavior.

Sociology provides different perspectives of the world. (a view of the world).

Sociology opens a window to the existing world and provides an understanding of the unfamiliar
world. It offers a fresh look to the familiar world.

Sociology is an approach in understanding the human behavior by placing it within broader social
context.

This includes various social groups which shapes / influences human behavior.

Sociology includes various perspectives which are very important in understanding the society.

There are 3 types of sociological perspectives: - 1. Symbolic Interactionism (individual level)

2. Conflict Theory (macro level)

3. Functionalism (macro level)

 Symbolic Interactionism

The first sociological perspective was derived from the work of Auguste Comte wo invented the term
sociology and thus is known as the FATHER OF SOCIOLOGY.

Symbolic Interactionism is a perspective which is established nearby the middle of the 20 th Century.

It is a method mainly used to examine the human behavior shaped by the things in the world near to
them, including objects.

Symbolic interactionism is used to describe the social actions. It understands how people interact
based on their understanding of symbols.
Symbols can be anything which gives meaning including language, images, objects, etc.