Get summaries, questions, answers, solutions, notes, extras, PDF and guide of chapter 1, Sociology as a Discipline: NBSE Class 11 Sociology textbook, which is part of the syllabus for students studying under the Nagaland Board. These solutions, however, should only be treated as references and can be modified/changed.
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Summary
The chapter explains what sociology is, where it came from, and how it relates to other subjects. Sociology is the scientific study of society and human behavior. The word “sociology” comes from Latin and Greek words meaning “companion” and “study.” Auguste Comte, a French thinker, invented the term in 1839 and is called the father of sociology. He believed that society could be studied using methods similar to those used in physical sciences.
Sociology started as a response to big changes in Europe during the 19th century, like the Industrial Revolution and political movements. These changes made people realize they needed to understand society better. Other important thinkers who helped shape sociology include Emile Durkheim, Max Weber, and Karl Marx. Each had different ideas about how to study society, but all agreed it should be done scientifically.
Sociology is considered a science because it uses systematic methods to study society. It looks at patterns in social relationships, institutions, and culture. Unlike natural sciences that study things like plants or chemicals, sociology focuses on human behavior and society. However, studying humans is more complex because people’s feelings and values can influence research.
Sociology has many branches, such as rural sociology, urban sociology, and political sociology. Each branch focuses on different aspects of society. Some sociologists believe sociology should stay independent, while others think it should combine insights from other social sciences.
The chapter also discusses how sociology is related to other subjects. For example, history studies the past, while sociology focuses on current social issues. Political science examines power and government, which are also part of sociology but in a broader context. Economics looks at how people manage resources, which sociology also considers alongside other social factors. Social anthropology studies simpler societies, whereas sociology often focuses on modern, complex ones.
Textbook solutions
Very Short Answer Type Questions
1. What is the etymological meaning of sociology?
Answer : The etymological meaning of sociology is the “science or study of society.” The word ‘sociology’ is derived from two words: the Latin word ‘socius’ or ‘societas,’ which means ‘companion’ or ‘associate,’ and the Greek word ‘logos,’ which means ‘study or science.’
2. Who coined the word ‘sociology’?
Answer : Auguste Comte coined the word ‘sociology.’
3. Who is known as the father of sociology? (’06)
Answer : Auguste Comte is known as the father of sociology.
4. In which year did Auguste Comte coin the word ‘sociology’? (’08)
Answer : Auguste Comte coined the word ‘sociology’ in 1839.
5. How does Emile Durkheim define sociology?
Answer : Emile Durkheim defines sociology as the study of social facts.
6. What is positivism? (’08)
Answer : Positivism is a method of scientific enquiry that calls for empirical research. It rejects speculative analysis of social reality and emphasizes the understanding of experience through the use of the scientific method.
7. What is a science?
Answer : A science is a systematised body of verified knowledge about reality, obtained through the application or use of the scientific method. Such knowledge is cumulative, meaning it is built upon existing knowledge, and deals with empirical reality that can be observed through the senses.
8. What is social science?
Answer : Social science is a type of science that deals with social realities or human social behaviour. It studies human society and human behaviour using the scientific method, similar to natural sciences.
9. Mention one difference between social science and physical science.
Answer : One difference between social science and physical science is that the subject matter of physical sciences is relatively static and unchanging, whereas the subject matter of social sciences is flexible and dynamic.
10. What is ‘political sociology’?
Answer : Political sociology is the interface between sociology and political science. It studies power relations in the wider social context, including the processes which enable a group to secure and wield power.
11. What is the Sociology of Economic Life?
Answer : The Sociology of Economic Life is a branch of sociology that studies the social aspects of income, occupation, consumption, and other related areas.
12. Broadly define ‘social anthropology’.
Answer : Social anthropology is a branch of anthropology that deals with the social and cultural aspects of human societies. It focuses on the study of tribal, peasant, and pre-literate societies and examines their social organization.
13. What is the basic difference between sociology and anthropology? (’06)
Answer : The basic difference between sociology and anthropology is that social anthropology primarily studies tribal, peasant, and pre-literate societies in the world, while sociology focuses on complex, modern, and urban-industrial societies.
14. What is the chief method of data collection in sociology?
Answer : The chief method of data collection in sociology is the social survey.
15. Who divided sociology into Social Statics and Social Dynamics? (’12)
Answer : Auguste Comte divided sociology into Social Statics and Social Dynamics.
16. What is value-neutrality? (’12)
Answer : Value-neutrality means that the values, ideas, biases, and prejudices of the scholar should not influence his conclusions. Value-neutrality requires objectivity or looking at realities as they are, and not as they should be.
17. What is meant by sociological perspective? (’13)
Answer : The sociological perspective looks at human society and social relationships in themselves. It considers social realities in so far as they are ‘social’. Its focus is on the social nature of social phenomena or social realities. Thus, sociology looks at society and social relationships and tries to understand how they are formed and how human behaviour is influenced by them. In simple terms, the sociological perspective consists in looking at the relationships between individuals and the wider society.
Short Answer Type Questions
1. What is sociology? (’09)
Answer : Sociology is the scientific study of society and human behaviour.
10. Point out two differences between sociology and social anthropology. (’14)
Answer : Two differences between sociology and social anthropology are:
- Social anthropology primarily studies tribal, peasant, and pre-literate societies in the world, whereas sociology focuses on complex, modern, and urban-industrial societies.
- Sociology uses various methods for data collection and relies chiefly on the social survey method, while social anthropology mainly employs participant observation as its chief method of data collection.
Essay Type Questions
1. Explain the meaning and definition of sociology?
Answer : Sociology is defined as the scientific study of society and human behavior. The term ‘sociology’ is derived from two words: the Latin word ‘socius’ or ‘societas,’ which means ‘companion’ or ‘associate,’ and the Greek word ‘logos,’ which means ‘study or science.’ Thus, literally, ‘sociology’ means the ‘science or study of society.’ Auguste Comte coined the word ‘sociology’ in 1839 and defined it as the “science of human association.” Emile Durkheim, another founder of sociology, defined sociology as the study of social facts. Max Weber described sociology as “the science which attempts the interpretative understanding of social action.” At present, sociologists define sociology in various ways. For example, Franklin Giddings defines sociology as the science of social phenomena, while Park and Burgess state that “sociology is the science of collective behavior.” Therefore, sociology is the scientific study of human social behavior.
13. Discuss the differences and relationships between sociology and social anthropology? (’10, ’12)
Answer : The main differences between sociology and social anthropology are as follows:
- Social anthropology studies tribal, peasant, and pre-literate societies in the world. On the other hand, sociology studies complex, modern, and urban-industrial societies.
- Sociology makes use of various methods and uses the social survey as its chief method. Social anthropology, however, makes use of participant observation as its chief method of data collection.
It is often said that social anthropology studies “other cultures,” while sociology deals with “one’s own society.” Such a distinction was possible when European and American scholars studied simple societies found outside their countries. However, in India, such a distinction is not clear because of the continuity between tribal and non-tribal communities, rural and urban populations. Therefore, in India, there is practically no difference between sociology and social anthropology.
Despite these differences, sociology and social anthropology are closely related. Both study society in a holistic manner and are comparative in nature. They accept each other’s conclusions, making them so close to each other that, in India, the distinction between them has become completely blurred.
Problem Solving
1. We live in villages or towns. What procedure will you adopt to do a sociological study of your village or town in order to find out the problems faced by the people?
Answer : To conduct a sociological study of my village or town to identify the problems faced by the people, I would adopt the following procedure:
First, I would start with empirical observation, which involves collecting information on the reality as it exists. This would include observing the living conditions, social interactions, and general environment of the village or town.
Next, I would organize and interpret the collected information. This step involves categorizing the observed issues into different areas such as economic problems, social issues, educational challenges, and health concerns.
Finally, I would draw reliable and verifiable conclusions based on the organized data. These conclusions would help in understanding the underlying causes of the problems faced by the community and suggest possible solutions. Throughout this process, I would use rational and logical procedures to ensure the study is scientific and objective.
Think and Answer
2. Writings of many ancient thinkers deal with human society. Sociology also deals with human society. But Sociology alone is considered a ‘science’. Why is it so?
Answer : Sociology is considered a ‘science’ because it fulfills the requirements of a science. Unlike the writings of many ancient thinkers that deal with human society, sociology uses the scientific method to understand society and social realities.
Sociology is empirical, meaning it seeks to understand social reality as it exists through experience and observation. It employs rational and logical procedures to gather and interpret data.
Additionally, sociology is characterized by theory, which involves adopting master ideas to interpret and explain social realities. It builds cumulative knowledge, extending existing knowledge about social realities.
Furthermore, sociology aims for value-neutrality, ensuring that the values, biases, and prejudices of the scholar do not influence the conclusions. This requires objectivity, looking at realities as they are, rather than how they should be.
For these reasons, sociology is distinguished from the philosophical or theological nature of ancient writings and is recognized as a science.
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