This document provides an overview of key concepts in sociology. It defines society as a group that follows a way of life and is regulated by laws and customs. It also defines community as a social group bound by geography or interests. Social structure refers to patterns of relationships between groups, institutions, and hierarchies. The document also discusses socialization, roles, social control mechanisms like customs and laws, and the influence of culture and social change on health.

1. Concept of Sociology
Shruti Singh

3. SOCIETY
“Society is a group of individuals who have organised
themselves and follow a given way of life”
 It controls and regulates the behaviour of the
individual both by law and customs.
 It is dynamic in character.
 Public health is an integral part of society

4. DYNAMICS OF SOCIAL CHANGE
Traditional society
• Continuity and immutability
• Young people fairly sure their life will be
similar to their parents’.
Transitional society
• Better able to cope with changes
• Young people simultaneously involved in two
cultures
Modern society
• Best adapted to assimilate rapid changes
• Young people can fairly be sure that their life
will be substantially different from their parents’.

5. COMMUNTY
“A community is a social group determined by
geographical boundaries and/or common values and
interests.”
 Its members know and interact with each others
 It exhibits and create certain norms, values and
social institutions.

6. SOCIAL STRUCTURE
“The pattern of inter-relationships between persons.
Can be a complex of major institutions, groups,
power structure and status hierarchy.”

7. SOCIAL INSTITUTION
“A social institution is an organised complex pattern of
behaviour in which a number of persons participate
to further interest”

8. ROLE
 Ascribed: When a particular role is “given” by the
virtue of sex, age and birth status.
 Achieved: When “acquired” by virtue of education
or otherwise.
 ‘Sick Role’ assumed by a person when he falls ill. He
is expected to decrease his normal duties, seek
medical aids, and carry out the orders given to him
by physician

9. SOCIALISM
“An economic doctrine that favours the use of
properties and resources of the country for the public
welfare. It is a system of production and distribution
based on social ownership for raising the living
standard of the working class.”

10. SOCIALISATION
“ Socialisation is the process by which an individual
gradually acquires culture and becomes a member
of the social group.”

11. SOCIAL CONTROL MECHANISMS
 The laws of enactments of parliament and the norms
of behaviour constructed by social pressure are
social control mechanisms.
 These mechanisms work through rewards and
punishment
 A study of these mechanisms may help in carrying
out health programmes

12. CUSTOMS
 Starting point of all customs are conventions i.e. The
practices promoted by convenience of individual or
society.
 Technically of two types
 Folkways: the right ways of doing things in what is
regarded as the less vital areas of human conduct
 Mores: the more stringent customs

13. CULTURE
 It is the product of human
society
 Transmitted from one
generation to other
 Lays down for an
individual the norms of
behaviour
“Culture is learned behaviour which is socially
acquired”
Influence
of culture
on the
incidence
of diseases
Personal
hygiene
Nutrition
Immunizat
ion
Seeking
early
medical
care
Family
planning
Child
rearing
Disposal
of refuse
and
excreta

14. ACCULTURATION
Acculturation:
Trade and
commerce
Industrialisation
Propagation of
religion
Education
Conquest
Radio, television,
cinema
“Acculturation means cultural contact, which is a result
of contact between two people with different types of
culture, there is a diffusion of culture both ways.”

15. SOCIAL STRESS
Rural to urban migration
Exposure to culturally
alienated ideas
Tourism
Higher technological
needs
Unrealistic aspirations
Traditional Society:
Young have little control
over their destiny
Rapid population expansion
means more competition
Inadequate resources
S
T
R
E
S
S
PSYCHOSOCIAL DISEASES

16. SOCIAL PROBLEMS
 Individual problems become social problems when large
number of individuals are affected
 Many social problems are health problems as alcoholism,
venereal diseases, mental illness and narcotic addiction
 Some social problems have implication in health as:
housing, divorce, population growth, increase number of
old people.
 SOCIAL PATHOLOGY: describe relation between
diseases and social conditions

17. STUDIES IN SOCIOLOGY
SOCIAL SURVEYS CASE STUDY FIELD STUDY
•Disclose social
pathology
•Method of exploring and
analysing the life of a
social unit
•They involve
observation of people in
situ

18. COMMUNICATION
 Refers to social process-the flow of information, the
circulation of knowledge and ideas, and the
propagation of thoughts.
 Helps motivate people to accept ideas.
 Ultimate aim is to bring about change in behaviour
 Mass media act as the vehicle of dissemination.

19. SOCIAL DEFENCE
“Social defence is a system developed to defend
society against criminality not merely by treating and
defending the offended, but also by creating such
conditions in the community which are conducive for
a healthy and wholesome growth of human life.

20. Thank You