Applied Sociology

Definition
Lester F. Ward was the first to bring the concept of applied sociology into the discipline of
sociology. The roots of applied sociology in the United States go back to the publication in 1883
of Lester Ward's Dynamic Sociology: or Applied Social Science, a text in which he laid the
groundwork for distinguishing between an understanding of causal processes and how to
intervene in them to foster social progress
 According to Lester F Ward (1903), applied sociology is the means and methods for the
artificial improvement of social conditions on the part of man and society as conscious
and intelligent agents
 Applied sociology is a term that describes practitioners who use sociological theories and
methods outside of academic settings with the aim to ‘produce positive social change
through active intervention’ (Bruhn 1999: 1).
 More specifically, applied sociology might be seen as the translation of sociological
theory into practice for specific clients.  That is, this term describes the use of
sociological knowledge in answering research questions or problems as defined by
specific interest groups, rather than the researcher (Steele and Price 2007: 4).
 In simpler terms, applied sociology can be defined as “sociology in use.” It is action-
directed, policy-oriented, and facilitates individuals and groups to reflect on what they do
and how they can build “viable social forms” that are capable of adapting to evolving
internal and external conditions. (Applied Sociology | Encyclopedia, 2020)
According to Lester F. Ward, applied sociology occurs when professionals organize
sociological knowledge into interventions that improve the well-being of society. Applied
sociologists use their and research skills with clients, as consultants and in clinical or community
settings. Some of the professional domains where applied sociologists have found career success
include health and medicine, business, technology, and criminal justice. Communication,
research methods and empathy are some of the most cited valuable professional skills that
sociologists acquire through their education.
Example of Applied Sociology

 Using sociological knowledge to increase revenue by adapting advertising to a particular

population.

Pure Sociology VS Applied Sociology:

 Just as pure sociology aims to answer the questions What, Why, and How, so applied
sociology aims to answer the question What for.
 The former deals with facts, causes, and principles, the latter with the object, end, or
purpose.
 The one treats the subject-matter of sociology, the other its use.
 However theoretical pure sociology may be in some of its aspects, applied sociology is
essentially practical. It appeals directly to interest. It has to do with social ideals, with
ethical considerations, with what ought to be.
 While pure sociology treats the spontaneous development of society, applied sociology
deals with artificial means of accelerating the spontaneous processes of nature.
 The subject-matter of pure sociology is achievement, that of applied sociology is
improvement.
 The former relates to the past and the present, the latter to the future.
 Achievement is individual, improvement is social. Applied sociology takes account of
artificial phenomena consciously and intentionally directed by society to bettering
society. Improvement is social achievement.
 In pure sociology the point of view is wholly objective. It may be said to relate to social
function. In applied sociology the point of view is subjective. It relates to feeling, - the
collective well-being.
 In pure sociology the desires and wants of men are considered as the motor agencies of
society. In applied sociology they are considered as sources of enjoyment through their
satisfaction. The distinction is similar to that between production and consumption in
economics. Indeed, applied sociology maybe said to deal with social utility as measured
by the satisfaction of desire.
Harry Perlstadt (2007) traces the history of applied sociology to 1850, and the work of Auguste
Comte, one of sociology’s founding figures. Perlstadt writes that Comte divided the discipline of
sociology in two parts: social statics, the study of social order, and social dynamics, the study of
social progress and development (2004: 342-343). Perlstadt argues that Comte’s theory lends
itself to two types of sociologies: ‘basic research’ and social interventionism.

Scope of Applied Sociology:

According to G.R. Madan, the main task of applied sociology is to deal with social problems.
From the point of view of applied sociology, social problems are divided into two categories that
is:

 problems of social disorganisation or social rehabilitation,

 problems of social reconstruction.

Social Problems

Social Disorganisation Social Recon­struction

Deviants Defectives Welfares

Dependants

Problems of social disorganization: The first category includes problems of deviants,

defectives and dependants, e.g. criminals, delinquents, orphans, mentally defectives, ills, blinds,
etc. For the problems of this kind, measures are needed to cope with the evil. They are generally
curative or rehabilitative in character. For example, something has to be done to help the poor, to
educate the defectives, to reform the criminals, to prevent poverty, defectiveness and crime.

Problems of social reconstruction: In the second category such things as child welfare, women
welfare, youth welfare, labour welfare, housing welfare, etc. are included. Here the preventive
and constructive methods are more useful. Example: Education of the children is looked into so
that they would not turn out to be either as child beggars or juvenile delinquents; but would be
enabled to lead a normal life. Welfare of women is promoted so that they would not be either
exploited or neglected.

According to Groves and Moore, applied sociology would include problems of poverty, crime,
immigration, race, the family, the social hygiene, mental defects, housing, public opinion, and
the organisations and practices of modem philanthropy.