Definition, Scope and significant of Sociology

1. Definitions of Sociology
Anthony Giddens (“Sociology”, 1989) provides the following general definition:
“Sociology is the study of human social life, groups and societies. It is a dazzling and
compelling enterprise, having as its subject matter our own behaviour as social beings.
In “The Complete A-Z Sociology Handbook” (1996) Tony Lawson and Joan Garrod - two
writers with recent experience of being am AQA Chief Examiner - provide the following
definition:
“Sociologyis the studyof individuals in groupsand socialformationsin a systematic way,
which
grew out of the search for understanding associated with the industrial and scientific
revolutions of the 18th and 19th centuries.
David Kessel, an American academic, offers the following point-of-view:
"Sociologyis thestudyof us...people...livingtogether.Inother wordsthe"scientific study
of society."
Max Weber defines sociology as “the science which attempts the interpretative
understanding of social action in order thereby to arrive at a casual explanation of its
course and effects.”
Morris Ginsberg: of thevarious definitions of sociology theone given by Morris Ginsberg
seems to be more satisfactory and comprehensive. Hedefines sociology in the following
way: "In the broadest sense, sociology is the study of human interactions and inter-
relations, their conditions and consequences".
Auguste Comete, the founding father of sociology, defines sociology as the science of
social phenomena "subject to natural and invariable laws, the discovery of which is the
object of investigation
Mack young “sociology is the scientific study of social aspect of human life”
Emile Durkhiem “Sociology is the study of social facts through social institutions.”
Park & Burgess “Sociology is the study of collective behaviour.”
Ogburnhas saidthat, “Sociologyisconcerned with thestudyof sociallife and its relations
to the factors of culture, natural environment, heredity and group.”

2. MEANING OF SOCIOLOGY
Sociology of work is a substantivearea of general sociology which is specially interested
to know the presentsituation work and work environment it is also concerned with the
changing needs of industries and its impact on the present generation.
SIGNIFICANCE OF SOCIOLOGY
 Sociology gives us an awareness of cultural differences that allows us to see the social
world from many perspectives.
Awareness Of Cultural Differences:- First sociologist allows us to see the social world
from many perspectives. Quite often, if we understand how people live, we can have
better idea about their problems. Policies, which are meant for solving the problems of
people’s may fail if they have not understood the life of people. Example – Policies
regarding tribal, or slum dwellers rehabilitation or street hawkers shifting bar dancer’s
profession or even allowing shopkeepers to havelate night business, allrequirepractical
knowledge of their life.
 Sociology provides the means of increasing our cultural sensitivities.
 Sociologycan provideus with self- enlightenment-increased self-understanding,offering
groups and individuals an increased opportunity to understand and alter the conditions
of their own lives.
Self Enlightenment:- Sociology provides,knowledgeto understand self. Sociology helps
us to know why webehave in a particular manner. Many self help groups Alcoholics,
dog lovers, Anonymous, environmentalist, Senior citizen group have learned to help
themselves without being dependent on government.
 Sociological research provides practical help in assessing the results of policy initiatives.
Assessing The Effect Of Policies:- Many policies related to employment or rehabilitation
of people failed miserablesincethey do not makeuseof the aims& realneeds of people.
Sociologistbringsthe basic needs,& objectives of people are concernedinto light so that
the governmentcan understand the causes of failure. Unless people are involved in any
programmed mean for them, the programmeis not going to be successful. Sociological
research points, out deficiencies, in the policy and discrepancy between the people’s
aims & the policy aims.

3.  Sociologists concern themselves directly with practical matters as professionals.
Sociology is a subject with important practical implications. It can contribute to social
criticism and practical social reform in several ways.
SCOPE OF SOCIOLOGY
 Sociologist
 Social worker
 Social counseller
 Journalist
 Social researcher
 As a HR manager
 Work at NACO (National Aids Control Organization)
 Work at different NGO’s and GO’s
 UNICEF, USAID
 Protection manager/ officers in remands home of government
 Market Serve Researcher
 As a popular and scoring subject
 Teaching and academics in college, Universities IIT’s and NIT’s and IMU Chennai
 Labour officer
 Social and Youth Welfare Officer