Sociology

Definition - Sociology is the scientific study of society, including patterns of social relationships, social interaction, and culture.It is a social science that uses various methods of empirical investigation and critical analysis to develop a body of knowledge about social order, acceptance, and change or social evolution.It is a dynamic study as it's subject matter i.e society is characterised by constant changes.
                Sociology as a science and particularly as a separate field of study is of recent origin. It is the youngest of the social sciences. August Comte, the father of sociology, first conceived the word ‘sociology’ in, 1839.
The word sociology is a combination of Latin word ‘socius’ and Greek word Logus.Socius   points to society and  Logus connotes study on a high level Thus,sociology means the study of society on a highly generalised or abstract level. In other words, the etymological meaning of sociology is the ‘science of society’.

 Definition of sociology by different sociologists 

 Sociology has been defined in number of ways by different scholars. There are as many definitions of sociology as there are sociologists.
●August Comet(Father of Sociology )In 1839, Comte defined sociology as the science of human association or the study of gregarious life. In 1851, he attempted to make the said definition more effective and he conceived of sociology as an abstract theoretical science of social phenomena.
●L.Fward-Sociology is the science of society or social phenomena .
●Maclver and Page “sociology is ‘about’ social relationships, the network of relationship we call society”.
●Sorokin-Sociology is the general science of the interrelationship of the common form and types of socio cultural events.
●Harry M. Johnson writes,Sociology deals with the social groups-Social group is a system of social interactions.

● R.E. Park and F.W. Burgess, “Sociology is the science of collective behaviour. 

A careful examination of definitions given by sociologist gives its definitions as:
1. Sociology is a science of society.
2. Sociology is the study of groups or social system.
3. Sociology is the study of social relationships.
4. Sociology is the study of social phenomena.
5.Sociology is the science of social interaction. 
Sociology is the scientific study of human social life and groups. It is study of societies, giving special emphasis on modern societies. Sociology is the systematic study of social institutions; their nature, functions and interactions, sequences of continuity and change.

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