Introduction to sociology

SociologySociology

Unit IUnit I

Sociology of NursingSociology of Nursing

IntroductionIntroduction

Definition of SociologyDefinition of Sociology

Nature and Scope of SociologyNature and Scope of Sociology

Importance and application of Importance and application of Sociology in NursingSociology in Nursing

IntroductionIntroduction

The word sociology was coined by The word sociology was coined by Auguste ComteAuguste Comte – French Philosopher in – French Philosopher in 1839. He is consider as a father of 1839. He is consider as a father of Sociology. Sociology.

Sociology is the youngest of all the Social Sociology is the youngest of all the Social Sciences. Sciences.

The word Sociology is derived from the The word Sociology is derived from the Latin Word ‘Latin Word ‘SocietusSocietus’ which means ’ which means ‘‘societysociety’ and the Greek word ‘’ and the Greek word ‘logoslogos’ ’ means ‘means ‘science or study or advanced science or study or advanced studystudy’.’.

Science of society or study of society. Science of society or study of society.

Definitions of Definitions of SociologySociology

L.F. Ward L.F. Ward defines, “Sociology is the science of defines, “Sociology is the science of society or of social phenomena”.society or of social phenomena”.

GinsbergGinsberg says, “Sociology is the study of says, “Sociology is the study of human interaction and interrelation of their human interaction and interrelation of their conditions and consequences”.conditions and consequences”.

Emile Durkheim Emile Durkheim defines, “ Sociology as a defines, “ Sociology as a science of social institutions”. science of social institutions”.

Ogburn and Nimkoff Ogburn and Nimkoff defines, “Sociology as the defines, “Sociology as the study of social life”.study of social life”.

Kimball Young Kimball Young defines, “Sociology deals with defines, “Sociology deals with the behaviour of men in groups”.the behaviour of men in groups”.

Subject matter of Subject matter of SociologySociology

Sociology is Sociology is – the study of societythe study of society– the science of social lifethe science of social life– the study of social relationshipsthe study of social relationships– the study of human behaviour in groupsthe study of human behaviour in groups– the study of forms of social relationshipsthe study of forms of social relationships– the study of social actionthe study of social action– the study of social groups and social the study of social groups and social

systemssystems

Nature of SociologyNature of Sociology

1.1. Sociology is an Independent ScienceSociology is an Independent Science

2.2. Sociology is a Social Science and not a Physical Sociology is a Social Science and not a Physical ScienceScience

3.3. Sociology is a Categorical and not a Normative Sociology is a Categorical and not a Normative DisciplineDiscipline

4.4. Sociology is a Pure Science and not an Applied Sociology is a Pure Science and not an Applied ScienceScience

5.5. Sociology is Relatively an Abstract Science not a Sociology is Relatively an Abstract Science not a Concrete ScienceConcrete Science

6.6. Sociology is a Generalising and not a Sociology is a Generalising and not a Particularsing or Individualising ScienceParticularsing or Individualising Science

7.7. Sociology is Both a Rational and an Empirical Sociology is Both a Rational and an Empirical ScienceScience


Sociology is an Independent Science.Sociology is an Independent Science.– Sociology has now emerged into an Sociology has now emerged into an

independent science.independent science.

– It is not treated and studied as a branch It is not treated and studied as a branch of any other science of any other science like philosophy or like philosophy or political philosophy or history.political philosophy or history.

– As an independent science it has its own As an independent science it has its own field of study, boundary and methodfield of study, boundary and method..


Sociology is a Social Science and not Sociology is a Social Science and not a Physical Science.a Physical Science.

– As a As a social science it concentrates its social science it concentrates its attention on man, his social behaviour, attention on man, his social behaviour, social activities and social life.social activities and social life.

– The fact that sociology deals with the The fact that sociology deals with the Social universe it distinguishes from Social universe it distinguishes from astronomy, physics, chemistry, geology, astronomy, physics, chemistry, geology, mathematics and other physical mathematics and other physical sciences.sciences.


Sociology is a Categorical and not a Sociology is a Categorical and not a Normative DisciplineNormative Discipline

– Sociology Sociology “confines itself to statements about “confines itself to statements about what it iswhat it is,, not what should be or ought to benot what should be or ought to be”.”.

– But it does not mean that sociological But it does not mean that sociological knowledge is useless and serves no purpose.knowledge is useless and serves no purpose.

– It only means that sociology as a discipline It only means that sociology as a discipline cannot deal with problems of good and evil, cannot deal with problems of good and evil, right and wrong, and moral and immoral. right and wrong, and moral and immoral.


Sociology is a Pure Science and not an Sociology is a Pure Science and not an Applied ScienceApplied Science

– Each pure science may have its own Each pure science may have its own applied field.applied field.

– For example: physics is a pure science For example: physics is a pure science and engineering is its applied field.and engineering is its applied field.

– Sociology as a pure science has its Sociology as a pure science has its applied field such as administration, applied field such as administration, diplomacy, social work etc.diplomacy, social work etc.


Sociology is Relatively an Abstract Sociology is Relatively an Abstract Science and not a Concrete ScienceScience and not a Concrete Science– Sociology is Sociology is not interested in concrete only not interested in concrete only

it demonstrations of human eventsit demonstrations of human events..– It is more concerned with the form of It is more concerned with the form of

human events and their patterns.human events and their patterns.– For example: For example: sociology is not concerned sociology is not concerned

with particular wars and revolutions but with particular wars and revolutions but with war and revolution in generalwith war and revolution in general, as a , as a social phenomena, as a type of social social phenomena, as a type of social conflict.conflict.


Sociology is a Generalising and not a Sociology is a Generalising and not a particularising or individulalising Scienceparticularising or individulalising Science– Sociology tries to find out the general laws Sociology tries to find out the general laws

of principle about human interaction and of principle about human interaction and association, about the nature, form, content association, about the nature, form, content and structure of human groups and and structure of human groups and societies.societies.

– It does not study each and every event that It does not study each and every event that takes place in society. It is not possible also. takes place in society. It is not possible also.


Sociology is Both a Rational and Sociology is Both a Rational and Empirical ScienceEmpirical Science

– Rationalism, stresses reason and the Rationalism, stresses reason and the result from logical inference. result from logical inference.

– Empiricism, is emphasises experience Empiricism, is emphasises experience and the facts that result from observation and the facts that result from observation and experimentation.and experimentation.

– In Sociological inquiry both are In Sociological inquiry both are significant. significant.

Scope of SociologyScope of Sociology Two different views Two different views about the scope of about the scope of

sociology.sociology. There is no one opinionThere is no one opinion about the scope about the scope

of sociology.of sociology. In the broadest sense, Sociology is In the broadest sense, Sociology is

studying human interactions, their studying human interactions, their conditions and consequences.conditions and consequences.

There are There are two main schools two main schools of thought of thought among sociologist on this issue.among sociologist on this issue.– Specialistic or Formalistic SchoolSpecialistic or Formalistic School– Synthetic SchoolSynthetic School

Specialistic or Formalistic Specialistic or Formalistic SchoolSchool

In this group of sociologists demarcates, In this group of sociologists demarcates, Sociology clearly from other branches of Sociology clearly from other branches of social study and confines it to the social study and confines it to the “enquiry into certain defined aspects of “enquiry into certain defined aspects of human relationshiphuman relationship” or “Sociology as ” or “Sociology as pure and independent”.pure and independent”.

Sociology has a limited field of enquiry Sociology has a limited field of enquiry and and deals those problems which are not deals those problems which are not dealt with other social sciencedealt with other social science..– Specialistic or Formalistic School.Specialistic or Formalistic School.

Synthetic SchoolSynthetic School

The other group maintains that the field The other group maintains that the field of social investigation of social investigation is too wide for any is too wide for any other social science other social science and and “Sociology as “Sociology as special social science” special social science” Such as Such as Economics, Anthropology, History, etc.Economics, Anthropology, History, etc. there is also consider of a “Sociology is a there is also consider of a “Sociology is a general science”. general science”.

Sociology Sociology studies everything and studies everything and anythinganything under the sun.under the sun.

– Synthetic SchoolSynthetic School

Specialist of Formalistic Specialist of Formalistic SchoolSchool

SimmelSimmel SmallSmall VierkandtVierkandt Max WeberMax Weber Von WieseVon Wiese TonnieTonnie


This group led by This group led by SimmelSimmel views sociology views sociology is confined to the enquiry of is confined to the enquiry of certain certain defined aspects of human relationship defined aspects of human relationship and they consider sociology as pure and and they consider sociology as pure and independent.independent.

Simmel’s view Simmel’s view sociology deals with same sociology deals with same topics as they from a different angle topics as they from a different angle – – from the angle of different modes of from the angle of different modes of social relationships.social relationships.


Small’sSmall’s views - views - sociology does not sociology does not study all the activities of societystudy all the activities of society. The . The scope of sociology is the study of the scope of sociology is the study of the generic (general) forms of social generic (general) forms of social relationshipsrelationships, behaviours and , behaviours and activities, etc.activities, etc.


Vierkandt’s Vierkandt’s view – sociology is a special view – sociology is a special branch of knowledge branch of knowledge dealing with the dealing with the ultimate forms of mental or psychic ultimate forms of mental or psychic relationships relationships which unite people in society.which unite people in society.

He further maintains that similarly in He further maintains that similarly in dealing with culture dealing with culture sociology should not sociology should not concern itself with the actual contents of cultural concern itself with the actual contents of cultural evolution but it should confine itself to only the evolution but it should confine itself to only the discovery of the fundamental forces of change discovery of the fundamental forces of change and persistence. and persistence.


Max Weber’s Max Weber’s view – sociology aims to view – sociology aims to interpret and understand social behaviour interpret and understand social behaviour but it does not include all human relations but it does not include all human relations because all of them are not social.because all of them are not social.

According to him, According to him, Sociology concerned with Sociology concerned with the analysis and classification of types of the analysis and classification of types of social relationships. social relationships.

Von Wiese’s Von Wiese’s view – the scope of sociology is view – the scope of sociology is the study of forms of social relationships.the study of forms of social relationships.


Sociology Sociology studies everything and studies everything and anythinganything under the sun.under the sun.

According to this group sociology is a According to this group sociology is a general science.general science.

It wants sociology to be a synthesis It wants sociology to be a synthesis (mixture) of the social sciences (mixture) of the social sciences or a or a general science.general science.


DurkheimDurkheim HobhouseHobhouse SorokinSorokin Karl mannheimKarl mannheim GinsbergGinsberg Alex InkelesAlex Inkeles J.B. MckeeJ.B. Mckee


Durkheim’ s Durkheim’ s view – sociology can be view – sociology can be divided into three major divisionsdivided into three major divisions– Social MorphologySocial Morphology

Is Is concerned with geographical or territorial basis concerned with geographical or territorial basis of of the life of such as its volume and density, local the life of such as its volume and density, local distribution and the life. distribution and the life.

– Social PhysiologySocial Physiology Is Is divided into a number of branches divided into a number of branches such as such as

Sociology of religion, of Morals, of Laws, of Economic Sociology of religion, of Morals, of Laws, of Economic life, of Language etc. this activities related to the life, of Language etc. this activities related to the various social groups.various social groups.

– General SociologyGeneral Sociology Is Is discover the general character discover the general character of these social facts.of these social facts.

Synthetic SchoolSynthetic School Hobhouse’sHobhouse’s view – sociology is a synthesis view – sociology is a synthesis

of many social studies – task of three fold.of many social studies – task of three fold.– Studies in particular partStudies in particular part of the field. of the field.– InterconnectInterconnect the results given the results given by different social by different social

sciencessciences..– Interpret social life Interpret social life as a whole.as a whole.

Sorokin’sSorokin’s view- the subject matter of view- the subject matter of sociology sociology – The The study of relationship between different aspects of study of relationship between different aspects of

social phenomenasocial phenomena..

– The study of The study of understanding the relationship between understanding the relationship between the social and non-social aspects.the social and non-social aspects.

– The study of general characteristics of social The study of general characteristics of social phenomena. phenomena.


Karl Mannheim’s Karl Mannheim’s view – two branches.view – two branches.– Systematic and General SociologySystematic and General Sociology..

Describes one by one the main factorsDescribes one by one the main factors of living of living together as far as they may be found in every kind of together as far as they may be found in every kind of society. society.

– Historical SociologyHistorical Sociology.. Deals with the Deals with the historical variety historical variety and actuality of the and actuality of the

general forms of society. general forms of society. Historical Sociology falls into two main sections.Historical Sociology falls into two main sections.

– Comparative SociologyComparative Sociology Deals with Deals with historical variations of the some historical variations of the some

phenomena phenomena and tries to find by comparison and tries to find by comparison general general features as separated from industrial features.features as separated from industrial features.

– Social DynamicsSocial Dynamics Deals with the Deals with the interrelations between the various interrelations between the various

social factors social factors and institutions in a certain given and institutions in a certain given society, for instance, in a primitive society. society, for instance, in a primitive society.


Alex Inkeles’s Alex Inkeles’s view;view;– Social AnalysisSocial Analysis– Primary Concepts of Social LifePrimary Concepts of Social Life– Basic Social InstitutionsBasic Social Institutions– ProcessProcess

J.B. Mckee’s J.B. Mckee’s viewview– Social Action, Social Structure, Social Social Action, Social Structure, Social

Process and Social Institutions are Process and Social Institutions are included in the scope of Sociology.included in the scope of Sociology.

Importance and Importance and application of application of Sociology in NursingSociology in Nursing

Importance of sociologyImportance of sociology

1.1. Sociology makes a Scientific of Society.Sociology makes a Scientific of Society.

2.2. Sociology studies the role of the Sociology studies the role of the institutions in the development of the institutions in the development of the Individual.Individual.

3.3. The study of Sociology is indispensable for The study of Sociology is indispensable for understanding and planning of society.understanding and planning of society.

4.4. Sociology is of great importance in the Sociology is of great importance in the solution of social problems.solution of social problems.

5.5. Sociology has drawn our attention to the Sociology has drawn our attention to the essential worth and dignity of man.essential worth and dignity of man.

Importance of sociologyImportance of sociology

6.6. Sociology has changed outlook with Sociology has changed outlook with regard to the problems of crime etc.regard to the problems of crime etc.

7.7. Sociology has made great contribution Sociology has made great contribution to enrich human culture.to enrich human culture.

8.8. Sociology is of great importance in the Sociology is of great importance in the solution of international problems.solution of international problems.

9.9. Sociology is useful as a teaching subject.Sociology is useful as a teaching subject.

10.10.Sociology as a profession. Sociology as a profession.

Importance of Sociology Importance of Sociology in Nursingin Nursing

Sociology is includes in the Sociology is includes in the curriculum of curriculum of nursing nursing because health is include social because health is include social component.component.

Most of the illness have social causes and Most of the illness have social causes and social consequences.social consequences.

Sociology gives knowledge Sociology gives knowledge to deal with to deal with patient and to understand this habits norms, patient and to understand this habits norms, culture and behaviour etc..culture and behaviour etc..

The nurse has to understand the necessity The nurse has to understand the necessity of changing the environment or surrounding.of changing the environment or surrounding.


To adjustment and services of the family To adjustment and services of the family members are important in the recovery members are important in the recovery process of the patient. So process of the patient. So for understand for understand this knowledge of family is essential for the this knowledge of family is essential for the nursenurse..

Without sociological knowledge a nurse Without sociological knowledge a nurse cannot understand the community.cannot understand the community.

The sociological knowledge the nurse The sociological knowledge the nurse understand the factors of caste, faith, understand the factors of caste, faith, community, religion etc..community, religion etc..


So this knowledge helps her So this knowledge helps her to avoid to avoid prejudices and discrimination. prejudices and discrimination.

As well as a nurse should As well as a nurse should understand the understand the social position, status and social social position, status and social responsibilities responsibilities with regard to health field by with regard to health field by studying sociology. studying sociology.

She as to work is accordance with rules and She as to work is accordance with rules and norms of it by norms of it by removing egoistic and impulse removing egoistic and impulse based behaviour. based behaviour.

The nurse to understand the necessity to The nurse to understand the necessity to changing the environment for making changing the environment for making recovery betterrecovery better. .


Social correlates of disease including Social correlates of disease including demographic factors can be understood by demographic factors can be understood by the nurse with the knowledge of Sociology. the nurse with the knowledge of Sociology.

It helps the nurse to approach the patient It helps the nurse to approach the patient at various level.at various level.

– Emotional levelEmotional level

– Cultural levelCultural level

– Intellectual levelIntellectual level


Emotional level.Emotional level.– The nurse should understand the patient The nurse should understand the patient

emotions.emotions.

– Nurse give some opportunity to patient Nurse give some opportunity to patient for ventilate their feelings.for ventilate their feelings.

– Which will reduce their emotional burden.Which will reduce their emotional burden.

– It is really helps to build up the rapport It is really helps to build up the rapport which is essential for effective curative which is essential for effective curative intervention. intervention.


Cultural levelCultural level– Patients may not be able to adjust with Patients may not be able to adjust with

hospital environment because limitation of hospital environment because limitation of cultural environment.cultural environment.

– For example: For example: A female patient not to be A female patient not to be ready to remove her mangal sutra at the ready to remove her mangal sutra at the time of surgery because of their cultural time of surgery because of their cultural sentiments. sentiments.

– The nurse should explain the cultural The nurse should explain the cultural thinking and give explanation the need for thinking and give explanation the need for removing mangal sutra. removing mangal sutra.


Intellectual levelIntellectual level– The patient is unable to understand the The patient is unable to understand the

instructions and guidelines given by the instructions and guidelines given by the nurse or doctors.nurse or doctors.

– So here the knowledge of Sociology So here the knowledge of Sociology help to nurse to understand the help to nurse to understand the intelligence of patients. intelligence of patients.

– This knowledge makes the nurse to This knowledge makes the nurse to approach the patient sympathetically approach the patient sympathetically without emotional reaction. without emotional reaction.

Application of Application of Sociology in NursingSociology in Nursing

Sociology is a recent addition to the Sociology is a recent addition to the syllabus of medical education.syllabus of medical education.

Sociology is needed in general to all the Sociology is needed in general to all the medical professions and especially medical professions and especially Nursing because social conditions are Nursing because social conditions are sometimes responsible for health sometimes responsible for health problems.problems.

Sociology helps to understand the Sociology helps to understand the relationship between disease and social relationship between disease and social condition.condition.

Application of Sociology Application of Sociology in Nursingin Nursing

Man is an integral part of societyMan is an integral part of society– Man does not exist alone.Man does not exist alone.– For health condition in sociological For health condition in sociological

terms the emphasis in not on the terms the emphasis in not on the handicap but one of the person.handicap but one of the person.

– so as a Nurse should take care about so as a Nurse should take care about the patients. the patients.


Economic condition and patient care:Economic condition and patient care:– If a patient belongs to working or middle class, If a patient belongs to working or middle class,

the family will face economic problems and the family will face economic problems and the patient will have the fear of destitution.the patient will have the fear of destitution.

– Inspite Inspite of the willingness of the patient nobody of the willingness of the patient nobody prefers to employ him.prefers to employ him.

– As a result the patient is forced to lead an idle As a result the patient is forced to lead an idle life which leads to serious economic problems.life which leads to serious economic problems.

– So the Nurse should feel their economic So the Nurse should feel their economic condition.condition.


Importance of social environment: Importance of social environment: – A patient with physical handicap should be A patient with physical handicap should be

understood in the context of his social understood in the context of his social milieu.milieu.

– Psychological, social and vocational Psychological, social and vocational handicaps of the handicaps of the disabled person and disabled person and patietns are often related with false patietns are often related with false attitudes of the people. attitudes of the people.

– The nurse should understand the social The nurse should understand the social environment for develop the patient health environment for develop the patient health condition. condition.


Importance of understanding the Importance of understanding the social factors.social factors.– Sociology helps Nurse to understand Sociology helps Nurse to understand

the social factors which from the the social factors which from the barriers to treatment, rehabilitation barriers to treatment, rehabilitation and positive outcome. and positive outcome.

– Nurse to understand the importance Nurse to understand the importance of supportive social factors in treating of supportive social factors in treating and rehabilitating the patient. and rehabilitating the patient.


Intervention measures: Intervention measures: In the absence of social worker the Nurse In the absence of social worker the Nurse

may have to deal with family and other may have to deal with family and other problems such as housing, finance, problems such as housing, finance, social, isolation and psychological social, isolation and psychological disturbances of the patient. disturbances of the patient.

Intervention on finance and social Intervention on finance and social security measures.security measures.

Social change and treatment.Social change and treatment.Modification of attitudes.Modification of attitudes.

Thank youThank you

Introduction to sociology

Education

Transcript of Introduction to sociology