Sociology
Unit 1
MS :P. NDHLOVU
Define sociology
• Sociology is the scientific study of human behavior in
relation to other groups and individuals with whom
human beings interact with. The word Sociology is
derived from socius; a Latin word meaning
companion/associate and logos; meaning word.
Factors That Contributed To The Growth Of Sociology
• Political events in France and other parts of Europe
• Industrial revolution
Early Sociologists
1.Auguste Comte (Frenchman lived from 1798 – 1857): Was
actually called the father of sociology and is the one who
coined the term Sociology.
2.Emile Durkheim (also Frenchman lived from 1858 – 1917):
According to him, social disorder is as a result of change
especially if the change is very big or significant.
3. Karl Max (Germany lived from 1818 – 1883): Came up with
what is known as materialistic approach in his study of society. His
focus was on real material such as wealth, state etc.
4. Max Weber (Germany lived from 1864 – 1920: He was
particularly against Karl idea that social life is just a reflection of
economic factors, although he did not deny the effects of material
structures on social life. He wanted to emphasize the importance of
ideas as well.
Herbert Spencer (England lived from 1820 -1903):
He believed that society was growing progressively
better and that the process should be left alone or
undisturbed.
5.
Relevance of Sociology To Nursing
1. Nurses belong to a group of social beings who
should be able to understand themselves first in order
to understand the clients whom they will interact with
from time to time.
2. In sociology nurses will be accorded the chance to
learn about health beliefs, taboos, traditions and
practices of their clients.
3. The culture of the clients will have a bearing on
the health problems which will affect them and also the
care that will be given to them. Therefore, sociology
becomes very important to the nurses as it will
enhance the care that will be offered to the clients.
4. Sociology gives us an awareness of cultural
differences that allows us to see the social world from
many perspectives. Quite often, if we properly
understand how others live, we will also acquire a
better understanding of what their problems are.
5. The more we know about why we act as we do
and about the overall workings of our society the more
likely we are going to influence our own futures.
Sociology is the scientific study of society which tries to
shed light on every aspect of human behavior in
society.
6. It makes us understand the values, beliefs and
methods or ways of doing things in society.
7. It explains relationships/interactions which take
place in society i.e. among human beings or
institutions.
8. Sociology is also important when it comes to
planning in relation to provisioning of social services,
i.e by understanding past trends, and identify future
needs.
9. Sociology is also important in solving different
social problems e.g. unemployment, poverty,
corruption, etc.
1.4 Definition of sociological Concepts
This section deals with definition of terminologies that will be
used in this course which are important for you to know.
However, periodically, certain terminologies that are not in
this section will be defined within other units. You are
therefore advised to pay special attention because these are
very critical terms used in sociology. In this Unit we shall first
define what a concept is for you to understand better the
terminologies that are used in sociology.
A concept is an idea of something formed by mentally
combining all its characteristics or particulars.
a. Socialization
Socialization is a term used by sociologists, social
psychologists and political scientists to refer to the process of
inheriting and disseminating ideologies. It may provide the
individual with the skills and habits necessary for participating
within their own society; a society develops a culture through
shared norms, customs, values, traditions, social roles, and
languages. Socialization is thus ‘the means by which social and
cultural continuity are attained.
b. Society
Society is a large group of people who live together in
an organized way, making decisions about how to do
things and sharing the work that needs to be done.
c. Culture
Culture is defined as the shared patterns of behaviours
and interactions, and affective understanding that are
learned through a process of socialization. These
shared patterns identify the members of a culture
group while also distinguishing those of other groups.
d. Sub-Culture
In Sociology, a subculture is a group of people within a
culture OR
A subculture is the culture of a smaller social grouping
within a society which is not in conflict with the general
culture.
e. Norms
Social norms are the accepted behaviors within a
society. The term has also been defined as "the rules
that a group uses for appropriate and inappropriate
values, beliefs, attitudes and behaviors”. They have
also been described as the "customary rules of
behavior that coordinate our interactions with others."
f. Beliefs
Beliefs are the assumptions we make about ourselves,
about others in the world and about how we expect
things to be. Beliefs are about , what we think is really
true and what we therefore expect as likely
consequences that will follow from our behaviour.
g.
Values
A value is a belief, a mission, or a philosophy that is
meaningful.
h. Customs
In Sociology, a custom is a group or pattern of activity usually
transmitted from one generation to another.
i.
Practices
Habit; custom: e.g. it is not the practice here for men to wear
women clothes
j.
Social system
Is a society considered as a system organized by a
characteristic pattern of relationships or a social system is a
set of people bound in a society.
k.
Traditions
It is a belief, principle or way of acting which people in a
particular society or group have continued to follow for a long
time, or all of these in a particular society or group.
l. Myth
It is an ancient story or set of stories, especially
explaining in a way of the early history of a group of
people or about the natural events and facts. This
belief is usually false or a misconception.
References.
Bassis, M.S et.al., (1991). Sociology; An introduction.
McGraw Hill: New York.
Bertrand, A.L., (1973). Basic Biology, Appleton-century
crafts: New York
Biesanz, M.H et.al., (1973). Introduction to
Sociology,.Prentice-hall: New Jers.