Sociology is defined as the scientific study of human society and social interactions. It examines how groups and individuals are influenced by social structures and culture. The document outlines two perspectives on the scope of sociology - the specialist/formalistic school which views sociology as confined to studying certain aspects of human relationships, and the synthetic school which sees sociology as a general science that studies all human interactions and society. Key thinkers from each school such as Durkheim, Hobhouse, and Sorokin are discussed in regards to their views on defining the nature and scope of sociology.

1. Sociology
Sociology
Unit I
Unit I
Sociology of Nursing
Sociology of Nursing

2. Introduction
Introduction
 Definition of Sociology
Definition of Sociology
 Nature and Scope of Sociology
Nature and Scope of Sociology
 Importance and application of
Importance and application of
Sociology in Nursing
Sociology in Nursing

3. Introduction
Introduction
 The word sociology was coined by
The word sociology was coined by
Auguste Comte
Auguste 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 ‘Societus
Societus’ which means
’ which means
‘
‘society
society’ and the Greek word ‘
’ and the Greek word ‘logos
logos’ means
’ means
‘
‘science or study or advanced study
science or study or advanced study’.
’.
 Science of society or study of society.
Science of society or study of society.

4. Definitions of Sociology
Definitions of Sociology
 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”.
 Ginsberg
Ginsberg says, “Sociology is the study of human
says, “Sociology is the study of human
interaction and interrelation of their conditions and
interaction and interrelation of their conditions and
consequences”.
consequences”.
 Emile Durkheim
Emile Durkheim defines, “ Sociology as a science of
defines, “ Sociology as a science of
social institutions”.
social institutions”.
 Ogburn and Nimkoff
Ogburn and Nimkoff defines, “Sociology as the study
defines, “Sociology as the study
of social life”.
of social life”.
 Kimball Young
Kimball Young defines, “Sociology deals with the
defines, “Sociology deals with the
behaviour of men in groups”.
behaviour of men in groups”.

5. Subject matter of Sociology
Subject matter of Sociology
 Sociology is
Sociology is
– the study of society
the study of society
– the science of social life
the science of social life
– the study of social relationships
the study of social relationships
– the study of human behaviour in groups
the study of human behaviour in groups
– the study of forms of social relationships
the study of forms of social relationships
– the study of social action
the study of social action
– the study of social groups and social systems
the study of social groups and social systems

6. Nature of Sociology
Nature of Sociology
1.
1. Sociology is an Independent Science
Sociology is an Independent Science
2.
2. Sociology is a Social Science and not a Physical
Sociology is a Social Science and not a Physical
Science
Science
3.
3. Sociology is a Categorical and not a Normative
Sociology is a Categorical and not a Normative
Discipline
Discipline
4.
4. Sociology is a Pure Science and not an Applied
Sociology is a Pure Science and not an Applied
Science
Science
5.
5. Sociology is Relatively an Abstract Science not a
Sociology is Relatively an Abstract Science not a
Concrete Science
Concrete Science
6.
6. Sociology is a Generalising and not a Particularsing
Sociology is a Generalising and not a Particularsing
or Individualising Science
or Individualising Science
7.
7. Sociology is Both a Rational and an Empirical
Sociology is Both a Rational and an Empirical

7. Nature of Sociology
Nature of Sociology
 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 method
field of study, boundary and method.
.

8. Nature of Sociology
Nature of Sociology
 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 sciences.
mathematics and other physical sciences.

9. Nature of Sociology
Nature of Sociology
 Sociology is a Categorical and not a
Sociology is a Categorical and not a
Normative Discipline
Normative Discipline
– Sociology
Sociology “confines itself to statements about
“confines itself to statements about
what it is
what it is,
, not what should be or ought to be
not 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.

10. Nature of Sociology
Nature of Sociology
 Sociology is a Pure Science and not
Sociology is a Pure Science and not
an Applied Science
an Applied 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.

11. Nature of Sociology
Nature of Sociology
 Sociology is Relatively an Abstract Science
Sociology is Relatively an Abstract Science
and not a Concrete Science
and not a Concrete Science
– Sociology is
Sociology is not interested in concrete only it
not interested in concrete only it
demonstrations of human events
demonstrations of human events.
.
– It is more concerned with the form of human
It is more concerned with the form of human
events and their patterns.
events and their patterns.
– For example:
For example: sociology is not concerned with
sociology is not concerned with
particular wars and revolutions but with war and
particular wars and revolutions but with war and
revolution in general
revolution in general, as a social phenomena,
, as a social phenomena,
as a type of social conflict.
as a type of social conflict.

12. Nature of Sociology
Nature of Sociology
 Sociology is a Generalising and not a
Sociology is a Generalising and not a
particularising or individulalising Science
particularising 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.

13. Nature of Sociology
Nature of Sociology
 Sociology is Both a Rational and
Sociology is Both a Rational and
Empirical Science
Empirical Science
– Rationalism, stresses reason and the
Rationalism, stresses reason and the
result from logical inference.
result from logical inference.
– Empiricism, is emphasises experience and
Empiricism, is emphasises experience and
the facts that result from observation and
the facts that result from observation and
experimentation.
experimentation.
– In Sociological inquiry both are significant.
In Sociological inquiry both are significant.

14. Scope of Sociology
Scope of Sociology
 Two different views
Two different views about the scope of
about the scope of
sociology.
sociology.
 There is no one opinion
There is no one opinion about the scope of
about the scope of
sociology.
sociology.
 In the broadest sense, Sociology is studying
In the broadest sense, Sociology is studying
human interactions, their conditions and
human interactions, their conditions and
consequences.
consequences.
 There are
There are two main schools
two main schools of thought among
of thought among
sociologist on this issue.
sociologist on this issue.
– Specialistic or Formalistic School
Specialistic or Formalistic School
– Synthetic School
Synthetic School

15. Specialistic or Formalistic
Specialistic or Formalistic
School
School
 In this group of sociologists demarcates,
In this group of sociologists demarcates,
Sociology clearly from other branches of social
Sociology clearly from other branches of social
study and confines it to the
study and confines it to the “enquiry into certain
“enquiry into certain
defined aspects of human relationship
defined aspects of human relationship” or
” or
“Sociology as pure and independent”.
“Sociology as 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 dealt with
deals those problems which are not dealt with
other social science
other social science.
.
– Specialistic or Formalistic School.
Specialistic or Formalistic School.

16. Synthetic School
Synthetic School
 The other group maintains that the field of
The other group maintains that the field of
social investigation
social investigation is too wide for any other
is too wide for any other
social science
social science and
and “Sociology as special social
“Sociology as special social
science”
science” Such as Economics, Anthropology,
Such as Economics, Anthropology,
History, etc.
History, etc. there is also consider of a
there is also consider of a
“Sociology is a general science”.
“Sociology is a general science”.
 Sociology
Sociology studies everything and anything
studies everything and anything
under the sun.
under the sun.
– Synthetic School
Synthetic School

17. Specialist of Formalistic
Specialist of Formalistic
School
School
 Simmel
Simmel
 Small
Small
 Vierkandt
Vierkandt
 Max Weber
Max Weber
 Von Wiese
Von Wiese
 Tonnie
Tonnie

18. Specialist of Formalistic
Specialist of Formalistic
School
School
 This group led by
This group led by Simmel
Simmel views sociology is
views sociology is
confined to the enquiry of
confined to the enquiry of certain defined
certain defined
aspects of human relationship
aspects of human relationship and they
and they
consider sociology as pure and independent.
consider sociology as pure and 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
– from the
angle of different modes of social relationships.
angle of different modes of social relationships.

19. Specialist of Formalistic
Specialist of Formalistic
School
School
 Small’s
Small’s views -
views - sociology does not study all
sociology does not study all
the activities of society
the activities of society. The scope of
. The scope of
sociology is the study of the
sociology is the study of the generic
generic
(general) forms of social relationships
(general) forms of social relationships,
,
behaviours and activities, etc.
behaviours and activities, etc.

20. Specialist of Formalistic
Specialist of Formalistic
School
School
 Vierkandt’s
Vierkandt’s view – sociology is a special
view – sociology is a special
branch of knowledge
branch of knowledge dealing with the ultimate
dealing with the ultimate
forms of mental or psychic relationships
forms of mental or psychic relationships
which unite people in society.
which unite people in society.
 He further maintains that similarly in dealing
He further maintains that similarly in dealing
with culture
with culture sociology should not concern
sociology should not concern
itself with the actual contents of cultural
itself with the actual contents of cultural
evolution but it should confine itself to only
evolution but it should confine itself to only
the discovery of the fundamental forces of
the discovery of the fundamental forces of
change and persistence.
change and persistence.

21. Specialist of Formalistic
Specialist of Formalistic
School
School
 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
view – the scope of sociology
is the study of forms of social relationships.
is the study of forms of social relationships.

22. Synthetic School
Synthetic School
 Sociology
Sociology studies everything and anything
studies everything and anything
under the sun.
under the sun.
 According to this group sociology is a general
According to this group sociology is a general
science.
science.
 It wants sociology to be a synthesis
It wants sociology to be a synthesis (mixture)
(mixture)
of the social sciences
of the social sciences or a general science.
or a general science.

23. Synthetic School
Synthetic School
 Durkheim
Durkheim
 Hobhouse
Hobhouse
 Sorokin
Sorokin
 Karl mannheim
Karl mannheim
 Ginsberg
Ginsberg
 Alex Inkeles
Alex Inkeles
 J.B. Mckee
J.B. Mckee

24. Synthetic School
Synthetic School
 Durkheim’ s
Durkheim’ s view – sociology can be divided
view – sociology can be divided
into three major divisions
into three major divisions
– Social Morphology
Social Morphology
 Is
Is concerned with geographical or territorial basis
concerned with geographical or territorial basis of the
of the
life of such as its volume and density, local distribution
life of such as its volume and density, local distribution
and the life.
and the life.
– Social Physiology
Social Physiology
 Is
Is divided into a number of branches
divided into a number of branches such as Sociology of
such as Sociology of
religion, of Morals, of Laws, of Economic life, of Language
religion, of Morals, of Laws, of Economic life, of Language
etc. this activities related to the various social groups.
etc. this activities related to the various social groups.
– General Sociology
General Sociology
 Is
Is discover the general character
discover the general character of these social facts.
of these social facts.

25. Synthetic School
Synthetic School
 Hobhouse’s
Hobhouse’s view – sociology is a synthesis of
view – sociology is a synthesis of
many social studies – task of three fold.
many social studies – task of three fold.
– Studies in particular part
Studies in particular part of the field.
of the field.
– Interconnect
Interconnect the results given
the results given by different social
by different social
sciences
sciences.
.
– Interpret social life
Interpret social life as a whole.
as a whole.
 Sorokin’s
Sorokin’s view- the subject matter of sociology
view- the subject matter of sociology
– The
The study of relationship between different aspects
study of relationship between different aspects
of social phenomena
of social phenomena.
.
– The study of
The study of understanding the relationship
understanding the relationship
between the social and non-social aspects.
between the social and non-social aspects.
– The study of general characteristics of social
The study of general characteristics of social
phenomena.
phenomena.

26. Synthetic School
Synthetic School
 Karl Mannheim’s
Karl Mannheim’s view – two branches.
view – two branches.
– Systematic and General Sociology
Systematic and General Sociology.
.
 Describes one by one the main factors
Describes one by one the main factors of living together
of living together
as far as they may be found in every kind of society.
as far as they may be found in every kind of society.
– Historical Sociology
Historical 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 Sociology
Comparative 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 Dynamics
Social Dynamics
 Deals with the
Deals with the interrelations between the various social
interrelations between the various social
factors
factors and institutions in a certain given society, for
and institutions in a certain given society, for
instance, in a primitive society.
instance, in a primitive society.

27. Synthetic School
Synthetic School
 Alex Inkeles’s
Alex Inkeles’s view;
view;
– Social Analysis
Social Analysis
– Primary Concepts of Social Life
Primary Concepts of Social Life
– Basic Social Institutions
Basic Social Institutions
– Process
Process
 J.B. Mckee’s
J.B. Mckee’s view
view
– Social Action, Social Structure, Social
Social Action, Social Structure, Social
Process and Social Institutions are included
Process and Social Institutions are included
in the scope of Sociology.
in the scope of Sociology.

28. Importance and
Importance and
application of Sociology
application of Sociology
in Nursing
in Nursing

29. Importance of sociology
Importance of sociology
1.
1. Sociology makes a Scientific of Society.
Sociology makes a Scientific of Society.
2.
2. Sociology studies the role of the institutions in
Sociology studies the role of the institutions in
the development of the Individual.
the development of the 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.

30. Importance of sociology
Importance of sociology
6.
6. Sociology has changed outlook with regard
Sociology has changed outlook with regard
to the problems of crime etc.
to the problems of crime etc.
7.
7. Sociology has made great contribution to
Sociology has made great contribution to
enrich human culture.
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.

31. Importance of Sociology in
Importance of Sociology in
Nursing
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 patient
to deal with patient
and to understand this habits norms, culture
and to understand this habits norms, culture
and behaviour etc..
and behaviour etc..
 The nurse has to understand the necessity of
The nurse has to understand the necessity of
changing the environment or surrounding.
changing the environment or surrounding.

32. Importance of Sociology in
Importance of Sociology in
Nursing
Nursing
 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 this
for understand this
knowledge of family is essential for the nurse
knowledge of family is essential for the nurse.
.
 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..

33. Importance of Sociology in
Importance of Sociology in
Nursing
Nursing
 So this knowledge helps her
So this knowledge helps her to avoid prejudices
to avoid prejudices
and discrimination.
and discrimination.
 As well as a nurse should
As well as a nurse should understand the social
understand the social
position, status and social responsibilities
position, status and social responsibilities with
with
regard to health field by studying sociology.
regard to health field by 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 recovery
changing the environment for making recovery
better
better.
.

34. Importance of Sociology in
Importance of Sociology in
Nursing
Nursing
 Social correlates of disease including
Social correlates of disease including
demographic factors can be understood by the
demographic factors can be understood by the
nurse with the knowledge of Sociology.
nurse with the knowledge of Sociology.
 It helps the nurse to approach the patient at
It helps the nurse to approach the patient at
various level.
various level.
– Emotional level
Emotional level
– Cultural level
Cultural level
– Intellectual level
Intellectual level

35. Importance of Sociology in
Importance of Sociology in
Nursing
Nursing
 Emotional level.
Emotional level.
– The nurse should understand the patient
The nurse should understand the patient
emotions.
emotions.
– Nurse give some opportunity to patient for
Nurse give some opportunity to patient for
ventilate their feelings.
ventilate their feelings.
– Which will reduce their emotional burden.
Which will reduce their emotional burden.
– It is really helps to build up the rapport which
It is really helps to build up the rapport which
is essential for effective curative
is essential for effective curative
intervention.
intervention.

36. Importance of Sociology in
Importance of Sociology in
Nursing
Nursing
 Cultural level
Cultural 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 ready
A female patient not to be ready
to remove her mangal sutra at the time of
to remove her mangal sutra at the time of
surgery because of their cultural sentiments.
surgery because of their cultural sentiments.
– The nurse should explain the cultural thinking
The nurse should explain the cultural thinking
and give explanation the need for removing
and give explanation the need for removing
mangal sutra.
mangal sutra.

37. Importance of Sociology in
Importance of Sociology in
Nursing
Nursing
 Intellectual level
Intellectual level
– The patient is unable to understand the
The patient is unable to understand the
instructions and guidelines given by the nurse
instructions and guidelines given by the nurse
or doctors.
or doctors.
– So here the knowledge of Sociology help to
So here the knowledge of Sociology help to
nurse to understand the intelligence of
nurse to understand the intelligence of
patients.
patients.
– This knowledge makes the nurse to approach
This knowledge makes the nurse to approach
the patient sympathetically without emotional
the patient sympathetically without emotional
reaction.
reaction.

38. Application of Sociology
Application of Sociology
in Nursing
in Nursing
 Sociology is a recent addition to the syllabus of
Sociology is a recent addition to the syllabus of
medical education.
medical education.
 Sociology is needed in general to all the medical
Sociology is needed in general to all the medical
professions and especially Nursing because
professions and especially Nursing because
social conditions are sometimes responsible for
social conditions are sometimes responsible for
health problems.
health problems.
 Sociology helps to understand the relationship
Sociology helps to understand the relationship
between disease and social condition.
between disease and social condition.

39. Application of Sociology in
Application of Sociology in
Nursing
Nursing
 Man is an integral part of society
Man is an integral part of society
– Man does not exist alone.
Man does not exist alone.
– For health condition in sociological terms
For health condition in sociological terms
the emphasis in not on the handicap but
the emphasis in not on the handicap but
one of the person.
one of the person.
– so as a Nurse should take care about the
so as a Nurse should take care about the
patients.
patients.

40. Application of Sociology in
Application of Sociology in
Nursing
Nursing
 Economic condition and patient care:
Economic condition and patient care:
– If a patient belongs to working or middle class, the
If a patient belongs to working or middle class, the
family will face economic problems and the patient
family will face economic problems and the patient
will have the fear of destitution.
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 life
As a result the patient is forced to lead an idle life
which leads to serious economic problems.
which leads to serious economic problems.
– So the Nurse should feel their economic condition.
So the Nurse should feel their economic condition.

41. Application of Sociology in
Application of Sociology in
Nursing
Nursing
 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 milieu.
understood in the context of his social 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 attitudes
patietns are often related with false attitudes
of the people.
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.

42. Application of Sociology in
Application of Sociology in
Nursing
Nursing
 Importance of understanding the social
Importance of understanding the social
factors.
factors.
– Sociology helps Nurse to understand the
Sociology helps Nurse to understand the
social factors which from the barriers to
social factors which from the barriers to
treatment, rehabilitation and positive
treatment, rehabilitation and positive
outcome.
outcome.
– Nurse to understand the importance of
Nurse to understand the importance of
supportive social factors in treating and
supportive social factors in treating and
rehabilitating the patient.
rehabilitating the patient.

43. Application of Sociology in
Application of Sociology in
Nursing
Nursing
 Intervention measures:
Intervention measures:
In the absence of social worker the Nurse may
In the absence of social worker the Nurse may
have to deal with family and other problems
have to deal with family and other problems
such as housing, finance, social, isolation
such as housing, finance, social, isolation
and psychological disturbances of the
and psychological disturbances of the
patient.
patient.
Intervention on finance and social security
Intervention on finance and social security
measures.
measures.
Social change and treatment.
Social change and treatment.
Modification of attitudes.
Modification of attitudes.

44. Thank you
Thank you