Tutorial one: Thinking Sociology

Zoey Swanepoel

Abstract: This tutorial assignment will

explore the definition of sociology and
the differences between sociology and
other social sciences using Henslin’s
provided text and various sources

Student number:
4340471

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Table of contents:

 Question 1 …………………………………………… Page 3

 Question 2……………………………………………. Page 3
 Question 3……………………………………………..Page 4
 Question 4……………………………………………..Page 6
 Sources list…………………………………………….Page 7

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Question 1:

What is Sociology:

Sociology is a field of study motivated by people’s great need to comprehend their surroundings and
society, and the need to establish explanations to their individual experiences within a society. The
science of Sociology provides a revealing viewpoint on how we, as complicated humans, affect our
society and culture as a whole. Sociology can also be divided into two groups: Structural sociology and
inter structural sociology.(Henslin 2005, "What is Sociology?) Sociology gives us a sense of self-
awareness, the knowledge that societal or structural influences frequently influence our individual
experiences. Sociology is a disciplined study of people and social systems. Sociologists study how people
interact with society, which includes social structures like family, the military, the economy, and
educational system. (Leon Guerrero, 2005 Sociology and the Study of Social Problems)

Although, rooted in ancient studies and practices, Sociology is still a relatively new study to decipher
human interactions within a society. Thus we can summarise the definition for sociology as a relatively
new social science that help us understand society and interactions within in it by “seeing the strange in
the familiar ” as my professor would say, by factoring in a variety of social structures. For example:
investigating the social norms and stigmas surrounding AIDS, and then looking how that affects a
subject and their community, as well as what factors make people more vulnerable to contracting the
disease.
Question 2:

How Social science differ from Natural science:

Both social science and natural science are parallel sets, and they both utilise observations in their
analysis, which acts as a connection. Natural science investigates nature with the goal of better
understanding nature whereas sociology investigates people in the social world. (Henslin 2005, "What is
Sociology?)

Social sciences like, Sociology investigates subjects (people in society) and uses variables like human
emotions and behaviour while using qualitative methods of research like surveys, or observations and
quantitative research methods like statistical analysis. Natural science investigates objects and makes use
of controlled variables while doing conventional research methods and formulates an hypothesis. (Ahmad
Javed, 2023, “Differences between social science and natural science ” ) For example: Sociologist would
look at why only certain people of a specific income group can afford fresh produce and what factors
contributed to that. While natural sciences like biology would investigate why plants grow the way they
do and the factors surrounding that.

Both social and natural Science are broad subjects that are divided into different branches. Social science
is composed out of: “Anthropology, economics, political science, psychology, sociology”, while natural
science is composed out of: “biology, geology, chemistry and physics.”( Henslin 2005, "What is
Sociology?)

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Question 3:

Sociology in contrast with other social sciences:

History: According to Robert Allen Denemark, Jonathan Friedman and George Modelski: “History is
regarded as the social science of long term change” (Robert Allen Denemark, Jonathan Friedman, George
Modelski, Barry K Gills, 2000 “ Psychology Press”) Historians place emphasis on past events which they
believe are socially significant. Sociologists focus on modern societal problems while occasionally
factoring in history. Historians attempt to reconstruct the past through using records such as fossils or oral
history to establish the context of an event. Historical explanations provide accounts for specific and
unique situations, whereas sociological explanations provide generalisations. To quote Henslin: “From
this context, which they reconstruct from records of the past, they abstract what they consider to be the
most important elements, or variables that caused the event. By means of those "causal" factors or
variables, historians “explain” the past.( Henslin 2005, "What is Sociology?). This means that the
reconstructed version of history is, merely that: reconstructed. Therefore there may be a lot of important
information lost during this process.

Political science: The study of politics and government is known as political science. Political scientists
investigate how people conduct state policy, actions, and affairs with authority, how they secure,
maintain, and attain ruling positions in society, and the consequences of rulers' actions on those who are
governed ( Henslin 2005, "What is Sociology?”). Sociology research and reviews humans within society,
whereas political science is the study of politics and their impact on society as a whole. As a result, unlike
sociology, political science places particular importance on the use of political power at the national and
international levels by looking at how governments interact and the economic growth of a country.
(Henslin 2005, "What is Sociology?). Sociology has altered society’s perspective on crime, its causes,
and its consequences therefore sociology is extremely important in understanding international issues.
Sociology has aided governments in their efforts to improve the well-being of tribal and marginalised
communities. (Laura Pohl, 2022, “What kind of person would enjoy studying Sociology?”) Ultimately
we can thus state that Sociology had a big impact on reshaping political studies and plays a crucial role
in society by searching for reasons why people commit crimes and what factors to take into consideration
while looking at crime

Economics: Economists focuses on a particular institution. Economics is the study of society's

production, distribution, and allocation of tangible goods and services. Economists want to determine
what products are being manufactured at what cost and at what rate, as well as the variables that affect
who receives what. They are also interested in the decisions that underlie production, such as why, with
limited resources, a particular product gets produced rather than another. ( Henslin 2005, "What is
Sociology?) Sociologists does not focus on only one institution and would investigate how the products
are being distributed and to whom, and if only people of a certain class have access to these products, and
if so why? Other questions may also include: what are the effects of the production of certain goods have
on society, by taking factors like the effects of climate change and greenhouse gas emissions into

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consideration. Then further reevaluate the displace in power in the corporate sector in comparison with
every-day individuals within society.

Anthropology: Although very similar to sociology, anthropology the traditional focus of anthropology
has been on tribal and peasant peoples. Although there are other foci, the primary concern of
anthropologists is to comprehend culture, or the total way of life of a group of people such as the culture
which includes the artefacts people create, such as tools, art, and weapons; the group's structure, that is,
the hierarchy and other group patterns that determine people's relationships to their fellow member’s
ideas. ( Henslin 2005, "What is Sociology?) Anthropology focuses on the development and function of
society while sociology actively focuses on modern people whilst factoring in contemporary social
norms. Overall these parallel sets of sciences have a lot in common and compliments each others
research.

Psychology: Psychology focuses on processes that occur within the individual, or the "skin-bound
organism." Psychologists typically research perception, attitudes, and values. They are also particularly
interested in personality, mental aberration (or mental illness), and how people deal with problems.
( Henslin 2005, "What is Sociology?) Whilst psychologists focus on the mind and emotions of the
individual and down plays the societal factors, sociologists focuses on the numerous externals to the
individual within a society. To illustrate: when an individual commits a crime, psychologists would
examine the individual themselves and look at what feelings the individual felt during the time of the
crime. Sociologists would rather factor in various societal factors and triggers like poverty,et cetera.

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Question 4: Explaining gangsterism by using Henslin’s example of Juvenile delinquency

History: While studying juvenile delinquency, historians often focus on a specific historical period, by
concentrating on the societal framework (or social milieu) of the period, the historian would try to
comprehend the misbehaviour. For example looking at juvenile delinquency from another time period
like the 30’s in a specific geographic setting like England. And then looking at factors surrounding that
time. ( Henslin 2005, "What is Sociology?)

Political science: Political scientists wouldn’t care for juvenile delinquency but if they hypothetically did,
they would want to know how the existence of juvenile gangs is related to politics, and if kids from
people who don't have as much access to political decision-making, more likely to join gangs? (Henslin
2005, "What is Sociology?) For example children raised by apolitical parents or parents with lack of
consistency in their political beliefs are more prone to stress and anxiety which can cause a sense of not
belonging, which can result participation in a gang. (John Hopkins Hospital,2020 “How Politics Can
Impact Your Kids, and How to Help”)

Economics: Economists would rather look at delinquency as a whole while emphasising the relationship
of gangs to the economic state of a country and asses the costs of stolen goods. If they would study
juvenile delinquency they would assess how a gang distributes it’s spoils. ( Henslin 2005, "What is
Sociology?)

Anthropology: If anthropologists were to research a specific gang, they might look at the tools of crime.
such as equipment used in burglary or car theft. They might examine the gang's power structure while
concentrating on the social structure of the group. They would research the group's worldview to
determine how it contributes to their criminal behaviour. Also, they would focus on the group members'
communication styles, particularly their use of argot. ( Henslin 2005, "What is Sociology?)

Psychology: Juvenile crime is a subject that interests psychologists greatly. Yet, psychologists often
approach the topic by concentrating on the delinquent individually. The idea that gang leaders are more
extroverted or hostile and violent than their members might be tested. Also, psychologists may contrast
the psychological features of adolescent males who join gangs with boys from the same area or from the
wider community who do not join gangs. ( Henslin 2005, "What is Sociology?)

Sociologists: Sociologists would emphasise racial class strongly (which is based on occupation, income,
and education). They would like to discover how gang participation varies with income and whether a
person is more likely to join a gang if their parents are less educated. ( Henslin 2005, "What is
Sociology?)

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Reference list
 (Henslin 2005, "What is Sociology?)
 (Leon Guerrero, 2005 Sociology and the Study of Social Problems)
 (Ahmad Javed, 2023, “Differences between social science and natural science ” )
 (Robert Allen Denemark, Jonathan Friedman, George Modelski, Barry K Gills, 2000 “
Psychology Press”)
 (Laura Pohl, 2022, “What kind of person would enjoy studying Sociology?”)
 (John Hopkins Hospital,2020 “How Politics Can Impact Your Kids, and How to Help”)