SOCIOLOGY

logus Socius
means science or study means group or partner

Hence , sociology deals with the study of groups.

“Sociology is the scientific study of patterned human behavior” – Joseph

Fichter
The ways in which people act toward one another, that is, their social
relations have been scrutinized, discussed, and described by
historians and politicians, by poets and storytellers, and theologians
and philosopher.

“Sociology deals with the study of the patterns and processes of human
relations.” – Rodney Stark
Sociology is the science of society and the social interactions taking place
therein.
It may focus its attention on all kinds of inter actions such as:
1. Social arts
2. Social relationships
3. Social organizations
4. Social structures
5. Social processes
The social facts it gathers include the recurrent and repetitive
forms of behavior such as:
1. Attitudes
2. Beliefs
3. Values
4. Norms
5. Social institutions which make up the social order

Sociology studies not only the structure and function of social

organization but also the changes which take place within.
Being the science of society, sociology deals with the study of various
current issues and problems such as:
1. Ethnic relations
2. Family life and participation
3. Social mobility
4. Social problems
5. Community beliefs and practices.

“Sociology is a body of scientific knowledge with theories based on

scientific investigations and observations, rather on ‘armchair’
speculations.” – Lundberg and Associates

It may, therefore, be defined as the science of society which

consists of related generalizations about human social behavior,
guided by concepts and theories arrived at by scientific
investigations.

Sociology as a Science
It uses methods and techniques of inquiry and investigations which are
scientific
AREAS OF SOCIOLOGY
1. Social organization. This area covers the study of the various
(a) Social groups
(b) Social institutions
(c) Social stratifications
(d) Social mobility
(e) Bureaucracy
(f) Ethnic groups and relations.
Topics like the family, education, politics, religion, economy, etc. are
studied in this area.
2. Social Psychology.
This area deals with the study of human nature as an outcome of
group life, social attitudes, collective behavior, and personality
formation. It deals with group life and the individual’s trait,
attitudes, beliefs, etc. as influenced by group life. It views man with
reference to group life.
3. Social change and social disorganization.
This area includes the study of the change in culture and social relations
and the disruption that may occur in the society. It deals with the study
of such current social problems in society as juvenile delinquency,
criminality, drug addiction, family conflicts, divorce, population
problems, and other similar subjects.
4. Human ecology.
It studies the nature and behavior of a given population and its
relationships to the group’s present social institutions. For instance,
studies of this kind have shown the prevalence of mental illness,
criminality, delinquencies, prostitution, and drug addiction in urban
centers and highly developed places.
5. Population o demography.
This is concerned with the study of population number, composition,
change, and quality as they influence the economic, political and social
system.
6. Sociological theory and method.
This area is concerned with the applicability and usefulness of the
principles and theories of group life as bases for the regulation of
man’s social environment.
7. Applied sociology.
This area utilizes the findings of pure sociological research in various
fields such as criminology, social work, community development,
education, industrial relations, marirage, ethnic relations, family
counseling, and other aspects and problems of daily life.
 Anthropology
Study man
Scientific study of man, works, body, behavior, values, time and space

Scientific study of man;

Scientific study of physical, social and cultural development
And behavior of human beings since their appearance on earth

It includes several distinct fields:

Human evolution-study of the fossils of man
Physical anthropology-classification of modern geographical
population

Main concern of anthropology:

Studied and analyzed regardless of the color of skin

The nature of commitment to ideology
Level of his technological advancement
 Anthropology study man

Whether he is a communist or a democrat , a chinese or japanese

They also study different religious affiliation

It deals with the study of mans achievements may be in form of arts

Sciences, technology and literature even masterpiece in music and
inventions

Mans biological foundations, physical similarities and differences

Mans activities and behavior in politics, religion, social life aesthetics and
health and other fields
 BRANCHES OF ANTHROPOLOGY

Physical anthropology – known as biological anthropology

Deals with biological foundation of man its race, evolution, racial
classifications and differentiation
Racial history – study of the nature of races
Paleontology – deals with the origin of man
Human genetics – various ways of inheritance that take place in man

Social or cultural anthropology – study technology or material culture,

economic life, community organizations, family life, clans, secret societies,
government and law, religion and arts and other forms of cultural
behavior

Subdivisions:

Ethnography – description of the culture or an ethnic group

Ethnology – analysis, comparison and contrast of cultures of people
 Archaeology – study of mans culture and society in the past

Linguistics – systematic study of recorded and unrecorded languages

ANTHROPOLOGY AS A SCIENCE

1. To describe the phenomena of human life and culture

2. To classify the variable phenomena studied in order to achieve
revealing general formulations
3. To locate the origins of the changes and processes that are
characteristics of such classified data
4. To describe those changes and directions of change likely to be
taken by the phenomenon under examination
RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHER SOCIAL SCIENCES

PSYCHOLOGY
HISTORY
ECONOMICS
POLITICAL SCIENCE
SOCIOLOGY