SOCIOLOGYPresented By :-

Aditya Mohan GuptaRS1901B36

What is Sociology?Sociology is the “study of human society.”

There are three main areas you need to consider:

Social structures (e.g. the family, education, social stratification, etc.)

Social systems (e.g. culture and identity, agents of social control, etc.)

Social issues (e.g. the causes of crime, the impact of unemployment, etc.)

Why Study Sociology? 1. To “study of society”2. Encourages critical thinking – Famous Peter

Berger quote: “It can be said that the first wisdom of sociology is this – things are not what they seem”

3. Knowledge of social forces gives us power over those forces

4. Ultimately, make the world a better place?

SocietyAny relatively self-contained and self-

sufficient group united by social relationships.

Two central components of society: Social Structure and Culture

Social StructuresAny characteristics of a group rather than of

individuals.% No Religion, Mobility, Population density, %

Female, Age composition are all characteristics of the group

E.g., Age composition a predictor of crime – % teens and young adults a social structural explanation of crime.

Most common, most important is stratification

CultureThe pattern of living that directs human

social life.Everything that humans learn and the things

they learn to use.language, religions, science, art, notions of

right and wrong, explanations of the meaning of life

What is stratification?Stratification describes the way in which different

groups of people are placed within society. The status of people is often determined by how society is stratified - the basis

of which can include: Wealth and income - This is the most common basis of

stratification Social class Ethnicity Gender Political status Religion (e.g. the caste system in India)

Society Is Studied By…Using Scientific methods to Study

Variations in social structures Variations in social Institutions How they are held together How they change How they effect the people who interact

in them

This is what makes up sociology.

There are several explanations as to how we can better understand human society. The main theoretical perspectives covered in Sociology are:

Functionalism Marxism FeminismThe New Right

FunctionalismFunctionalists believe that society can best

be compared to a living organ, in which institutions and people all have a function to play with society.

MarxismMarxists believe that a capitalist society is

characterised by a class conflict between the bourgeoisie (the owners of capital) and the proletariat (the working-class).

FeminismFeminists argue that society is dominated by

men. In this patriarchal society men discriminate against women in order to prevent males and females gaining equal rights.

The New RightSociologists who take a New Right

perspective believe that traditional roles within society have been undermined by the permissive values of the 1960s and 1970s.

They argue that the nuclear family is the bedrock of society, and that the welfare state creates a dependency culture.

What do sociologists study?SocializationCrime Deviant BehaviorSocial Stratification (economic inequality)Race and EthnicityGenderThe FamilyReligionPolitics, Population, Urbanization…

Political socialisationPolitical socialisation is the method by which

we acquire political norms and values, and we experience political socialisation throughout our lives. For example, our early political views are usually influenced by our parents. This may take the form of identifying with a particular party, or taking a negative view of an opposing party.

Crime and societyYou need to know about the causes and

impact of criminal behaviour. For example, people may commit crime for several reasons:

Peer pressure Criminals have not been taught the

difference between ‘right and wrong.’ This argument is closely associated with the New Right

Mental illness. The majority of prisoners have mental health problems

Thank you… Prepared by: Aditya

mohan gupta 10906097

RS1901B36