Sociology is the study of human social life, groups, and societies. It analyzes how society and individuals interact and influence each other. There are differing views on the scope of sociology, with some arguing it should focus narrowly on specific social relationships and others believing it should synthesize findings across social sciences. Sociology is related to but distinct from anthropology, psychology, and social psychology. Anthropology studies ancient societies while sociology focuses on modern issues. Psychology examines individual behavior and mental processes, whereas sociology analyzes social behaviors and institutions. Social psychology bridges the two by studying how social contexts shape individual personalities. Sociology is important for nursing in helping understand different cultures, social problems, and a patient's soci

1. Introduction
Meaning, Definition and Scope of Sociology
Its relation to Anthropology,Psychology, and Social Psychology

2. INTRODUCTION
Sociology is a branch of social sciences concerned with the study of human social life,
groups and societies. Relatively a new science, sociology is concerned with studies and
analysis of how the society and the individual interact with each other deploying
systematic study of investigation.
MEANING
The term Sociology was coined by “AUGUSTE COMTE”,a French philosopher in 1839 . The
word Sociology is derived from Latin word “societius” meaning society and Greek word
“Logos” meaning study or science. It is concerned as a social science. All human beings
have to interact with other human beings in order to survive.

3. DEFINITION
1.AUGUSTE COMTE, the founding father of Sociology, defined sociology as the science
of social phenomena ‘subject to natural and invariable laws, the study of which is the
object of investigation.”
2. MAX WABER, “Sociology is a science which attempts the interpretative
understanding of social actions in order to thereby to arrive at a causal explanation of
its course and effects.
3.EMILE DURKHEIM,” Sociology is the science of social institution”

4. Scope of Sociology
There are two schools of thought among Sociologists
1.Specialistic or Formalistic School 2.Synthetic School
Specialistic or Formalistic School
1. George Simmel’s view :- George Simmel is the father of this school .According to Simmel, the distinction
between Sociology and other special sciences is that it deals with the same topics from different angle of
different mode of social relationships.
2. Max Weber:- According to him , the aim of sociology is to interpret or understand social behaviour.
But social behaviour does not cover the whole field of human relations. Indeed not all human
interactions are social.
3. Von Wiese:- According to him, the scope of Sociology is the study of forms of
social relationships. He has divided these social relationships into many kinds

5. .
criticism of Formalistic school 1.It has narrowed the scope of Sociology.
2.The concept of pure Sociology is impractical.
3. Abstract forms separated from concrete relations can’t be studied
Synthetic School
The synthetic school wants to make Sociology a synthesis of social sciences or general sciences.
1)Durkheim’s view:- According to him ,Sociology has three principal division
a) Social Morphology
b) Social Physiology
c) General Sociology
2)Hob House’s view:- Sociology is synthesis of numerous social studies but the immediate
task of the sociologists is three fold
Firstly, as a sociologists , he must pursue his studies in his particular part of the social
field. But secondaly, bearing in mind the interconnections of social relations and try to
interconnect the results arrived at by the different social sciences and thirdly , he should
social

6. Sorokin’s view
• According to Sorokin, the subject matter of Sociology include the study of social relationships between the
different aspects of social phenomena; between the social and non-social and the general features of social
phenomena.
• Karl Mannheim’S View:- He divides Sociology into two main sections a) Systematic and General Sociology,b)
Historical Sociology
• Ginsberg’s view:- He listed the problems of Sociology Into four aspects
• (a) Social Morphology (b) social control (c) social processes (d) social pathology
• Thus , the scope of Sociology is very wide. It is a general science but it is also a special social science. As a
matter of fact, the subject matter of all social sciences is society. What distinguishes them from one another is
their viewpoint.

7. Relationship of Sociology to Anthropology, Psychology, &Social Psychology
• Sociology and Anthropology
• Anthropology is called as twin sister of Sociology. Anthropology is
the scientific study of humanity, concerned with human behavior.
human biology, cultures, societies etc. Following points will show
relationship between them
Sociology Anthropology
1) It studies modern communities and social problems and
suggest solutions.
1) It studies ancient communities and the problems existed.
2) It studies various aspects and problems of society and
guides for change.
2) It studies as a whole.
3) It studies social relationships. 3)It studies anatomical characters and its influence upon the
behavioural change.
4) It makes suggestions concerning to the future. 4)It is pure understanding of past relationship.
5) It makes use of documents, survey etc. 5) It makes use of functional method.

8. Relationship between Sociology and social
psychology
The intersection of psychology and sociology has given rise to social psychology who serves as bridge
between two disciplines. It examines the role of social circumstances in shaping personality of individual.
Social Psychology Sociology
1.It studies the behaviour of an individual in society. Group behaviour can be studied.
2. It studies the mental process of the individual. It studies social processes, social laws, or values related
to attitudes
3. It is the study of individual attitude towards cultural and
social values and the laws related to these attitudes.
Sociology discusses concrete form of society, its structure
and functions.
4.It analyses the framework of social relationships. It studies the interaction of the human beings with the
environment.

9. Relationship between psychology and Sociology
Psychology Sociology
1. Psychology is the systematic study of human mind . Sociology is the systematic study of human society.
2. Psychology deals with individual behaviour Sociology deals with social behavior
3.Psychology measures, observes,and analyses human
behavior.
Sociology measures , observes, analyses organisations,
social institutions etc.
4.Psychology helps one to see the world through the lens
of individuals having different behavior
Sociology helps one to see the world through the prism
of different communities and cultures
5.It studies man as a part of societal system and social
institutions and social processes will be used in social
interactions.
It studies man as an individual and his interaction with
heredity and environment.

10. Importance of Sociology in Nursing
1.It helps to know about different cultures and life styles of patients.
2.It helps to know about social problems and community health problems.
3.It helps in understanding society and pattern of their inter- relations.
4. Nurses know their role in preventing, curing and promoting the health.
5.Guides the people related to welfare programmes.
6.Sociology is of great importance in solving the social problems.

11. Thank you