This document provides an introduction to sociology, defining it as the study of society and human interaction, with origins traced back to Auguste Comte in 1839. It discusses various definitions of sociology, highlighting its nature as an independent, positive, abstract, and empirical science that seeks to understand social behaviors and relationships without practical application. Furthermore, sociology is depicted as a general social science focused on broad patterns rather than individual cases.

1. Unit -1 Introduction
Ms. Pooja Sen
M.Sc Nursing (MHN)

2. Sociology is derived from Latin Word
Socius meaning Society
& Logos meaning Study.
= Study of society

3. First coined the term sociology –
Auguste Comte in 1839
Widely Recognized as a
“Father of Sociology”

4. Meaning of sociology –
1. According to Ogburn & Nimcoff – “Study of social life”.
2. According to Morris Ginsburg – “Sociology is the study of Human Interaction
and interrelations”.
3. According to AW Small – “Science of Social Relationships”.

5. Definition
of
Sociology

6. Definitions of sociology –
1. According to Kimball Young – “Sociology deals with the behaviour of men
in a group”.
2. According to Lester – “Sociology is the science of society or of social
phenomenon”.

7. Definitions of sociology –
3. According to HP Fairchild – “Sociology is the study of the relationship
between man & human environment.”
4. According to Lester – “Sociology is concerned with the study of social
life & it’s relationships to the factors of culture, natural environment, heredity
and groups”.

8. NATURE OF SOCIOLOGY

9. 1. Independent Science –
sociology is treated as an independent Science with its own
subject matter, theories & methods. It is not treated studies as
a branch of any other sciences.

10. 2. Social Science –
sociology consider as a social science it deals with human
beings & social phenomenon, it closely associated with man’s
social behaviour, social activity . It is related with
anthropology, psychology.

11. 3. Positive Science –
sociology studies things “as it is” and not “as it to be”. It does
not make any value judgement or direction.

12. 4. Pure science, not an applied science –
sociology does not deal with practical works. It simply
observed the society in a theoretical way studies the factors
underlying various social phenomenon.

13. 5. Sociology is Abstract, not a Concrete -
sociology studies the society in general form. It studies
abstract forms of human events & their patterns such as
marriage, religion etc.

14. 6. Sociology is science of Generalization not a particular
or individual -
sociology tries to determine general laws or principles about
human interaction & society. It does not study social
phenomenon from a particular angle .

15. 7. Sociology is a General social science, not a special
social science -
The area of inquiry of sociology is general, not specialized. It
Concerned the things in general way , religion or social
activities.

16. 8. Sociology is Both Rational & Empirical science -
The Sociology is an empirical and rational science As an
empirical science it emphasizes experiences and the facts, that
comes to light from observation, It collects facts.