Sociology studies social roles.
Sociology is a science that studies social groups (a group of individuals who live together in various types of associations). This science analyzes the internal forms of organization , the relationships that subjects maintain with each other and with the system, and the degree of cohesion existing within the framework of the social structure .
For example: "My son wants to study Sociology when he finishes high school" , "Last night I saw a very interesting debate on television about sociology" , "The president may be a great economist, but he knows very little about sociology" .
Before moving forward with the definition, it is important to determine the etymological origin of the term sociology. Specifically, its antecedents are found in Latin and more exactly in the union of the words socĭus , which would be translated as "partner or individual" ; and logia , which has several meanings, including "study" . Therefore, starting from this we could make a literal translation that sociology is the study of the partner or individual .
Origin of sociology
It could be said that sociology existed long before it was developed as a science or its object of study was defined. In the 5th century BC, Herodotus devoted himself to making complete descriptions of the customs and rituals of various peoples. Ibn Khaldun ( 1332-1406 ), for his part, was the one who proclaimed the notion of Ilm el Iytima (the science of society or of the social).
Auguste Comte , for his part, was responsible for shaping the concept of sociology when he presented his Course of Positive Philosophy in 1838. Sociology was consolidated as an autonomous science only in the mid- 19th century . As the 20th century progressed, different schools and dominant currents began to differentiate themselves.
Collective behavior is part of the object of interest of sociology.
Max Weber's vision
In this sense, it is interesting to make a brief parenthesis to establish that sociology throughout history has not left great thinkers indifferent. Among them, the German Max Weber .
For Weber , what sociology does is confront social action in order to undertake the explanation causally, from an approach to knowledge called interpretive , both on its development and its effects.
Urban legends, traditions and taboos are analyzed by sociology.
Characteristics of sociology
Sociological analysis focuses on culture and social norms. Issues such as family dynamics, gender roles, the influence of the media on public opinion, and political participation are analyzed, to name a few topics of interest.
Prejudices in communities, consumerism , protests driven by social movements, acculturation and crime can also be addressed from a sociological perspective. Field research with interviews and surveys and so-called participant observation are among the resources that sociologists use when developing their work.
It is important to note that sociology can use different methods: qualitative methodology , which includes detailed descriptions and explanations of behaviors, situations, and subjects, and which can also include the participants' own accounts; and quantitative methodology , which deals with variables that can be represented by numerical values (numbers) and which allow for searching for possible relationships through statistical analysis.
As for the main sociological paradigms , we can highlight functionalism (which states that social institutions are means developed collectively to satisfy the needs of society), Marxism (conflict theory), structuralism , symbolic interactionism and systems theory .
Thus, nowadays it is very common to resort to this science of the individual to carry out interesting studies around latent aspects in our society that concern or interest us. In this sense, it is common to carry out sociological studies to examine the behavior of young people with regard to drugs or alcohol. Through these investigations, data is obtained on the ages at which they begin to consume, the reasons that lead them to drink or whether they feel pressured by their group of friends to do so, to mention a few possibilities.
Different branches
It is possible to recognize different branches of sociology based on their object of study or field of application:
- Urban sociology : Analyzes the relationships between people and social life within cities.
- Rural sociology : Studies the structure of communities in the countryside; that is, far from urban areas.
- Sociology of art : Uses sociological methodology to investigate artistic practices as a social product.
- Sociology of science : Focused on the social conditions that affect scientific work.
- Sociology of sport : Examines sporting activity as a social phenomenon.
- Sociology of knowledge : It is oriented to the link between thought and social context.
- Environmental Sociology : Dedicated to how human communities interact with their natural environment.
- Economic Sociology : Observes the influence of culture on the economy.
- Sociology of the family : Evaluates social interaction within family groups, considering the family as an institution of society.
- Political sociology : Observes the sociological dimension of political phenomena.