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SOCIOLOGY AND THE

STUDY OF SOCIETY
THE SOCIOLOGICAL
PERSPECTIVE
Sociology is the “scientific
study of society, including
patterns of social
relationships, social
interaction and culture.
The term sociology was
coined by Auguste Comte in
1830.
To refer to a scientific
inquiry that covers human
social activities.
In 1959, C. Wright Mills coined
the phrase “sociological
imagination” to refer to the
ability of sociologist to
understand society
systematically.
SOCIETY
Society can be defined as a
product of human
interactions as humans
subscribe to the rules of
their culture.
SOCIOLOGIST PERSPECTIVE ON SOCIETY

Auguste Comte Society as a social organism possessing a harmony of structure and function.

Emile Durkheim Society as a reality in its own right. Collective consciousness is of key importance to
society, which society cannot survive without.

Talcott Parsons Society is a total complex of human relationships in so far as they grow out of the
action in terms of means-end relationship

George Herbert Mead Society is an exchange of gestures that involves the use of symbols.
SOCIOLOGIST PERSPECTIVE ON SOCIETY

Morris Ginsberg Society as a collection of individuals united by certain relations or mode of


behavior that marks individuals off from others who do not enter into these
relations or who differ from them in behavior.

George Douglas Cole Society as the complex of organized associations and institutions with a
community.

Robert Malcver and Charles Page Society as a system of usages and procedures of authority and mutual aid of many
groupings and divisions, of controls of human behavior and liberties.
SOCIAL INTERACTION
This is a compilation of ways
and means by which humans
interact with each other
within the confines of a
society.
SOCIAL ORGANIZATION
This concept refers to the
interrelationship of parts of the
society. As a society is an
organization in itself, it is
structurally divided into two layers
of contexts and positions that help
perpetuate its existence.
Group is a basic unit of an
organization.
Institutions are the
building blocks of a
society.
SUBDISCIPLINES OF
SOCIOLOGY
Within the field of sociology are
specific inquiries on human behavior
in groups. Studies that involve social
structures such as institutions, social
groups, social stratification, social
mobility, and ethnic groups fall within
then scope of social organization.
SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY
The study of the impact of
group life to a person’s
nature and personality.
HUMAN ECOLOGY
Pursues studies that
relate human behavior to
existing social
institutions.
APPLIED SOCIOLOGY
Uses sociological research
and methods to solve
contemporary problems. It
often uses interdisciplinary
approach to better address
social problems.
METHODS IN
SOCIOLOGY
POSITIVIST
Perceives society as a
quantifiable subject from
which objective
conclusions can be made.
Auguste Comte who introduced this
perspective.
It could be measured by logic and
mathematics.
The relationship of the variables of the topics
are tested through formulas of correlation,
regression, and the like.
This type of orientation allows for a macro-
level analysis of society.
INDIVIDUALS AND
SOCIETY
For an individual to become a
functional member of society,
he or she should have a
meaningful interaction with the
various social structures and
institutions of society.
Socialization
is a form of interaction by which people
acquire personality and learn the way of life
of their society.
It is considered the essential link between the
individual and the society. In fact,
socialization allows the individual to learn the
norms, values, languages, skills, beliefs, and
other patterns of thought that are essential
for social living (Robertson, 1987:115).
ENCULTURATION
It occurs when cultural
knowledge is passed on the
next bearer who will
perpetuate and ensure the
continuance of their
tradition and practices.
Identity Formation
An individual’s identity
is formed through his
interaction with other
people.
Norms and Values
Norms are culturally
determined rules that
guide people regarding
what is right, wrong,
proper or improper.

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