Introduction of Sociology
What is Sociology?
The word sociology is derived from the Latin ward. Socius literally meaning friend, companion, associates but in broader sence group or society and the Greek Word logus means science or study. Thus sociology means basically as a science or study of Society.
According to Rogers, sociology is defined as a study of ways in which social experiences function in developing, maturing, refressing human beings through interpersonal stimulation. Some important definitions of sociology have been given by different sociologists are as follows.
Kimball young defines sociology as a systematically and orderly study of man in society that is of group life and of the customs, traditions, institutions, and ways of thinking and living which are linked to group life.
R. M. Maclver has defined sociology as the study of the nature of the human relationship. It is the study of human relationship between the individuals. It aims at the discovery of the principles of cohesion and harmony in a social structure, which conditions the activities of social individuals.
J. B.Gitter has defined “Sociology as the study of forms and processes of human togetherness”. Sociology stidies basic principle of human associations.
According to F.H. Fiddings "Sociology is the science of associations of minds, sociology tries to explain the origin growth and structure of society."
Sociology helps us in understanding society, its various institutions human relationship and their manifestation man’s social interactions, and socialization. From the above definitions we get three views about what is sociology i.e. sociology is the science of society, it is a study of social relationships and it is a study of the form of social relationships. When the field of sociology is limited to a particular area it can be named as:
Urban Sociology : Dealing with urban peoples
Rural Sociology: Dealing with rural people.
Industrial Sociology: Dealing with industrial people
Sociology of family & so on.