Concept of Sociology

Shruti Singh

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

DYNAMICS OF SOCIAL CHANGETraditional 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’.

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.

SOCIAL STRUCTURE

“The pattern of inter-relationships between persons. Can be a complex of major

institutions, groups, power structure and status hierarchy.”

SOCIAL INSTITUTION“A social institution is an organised complex

pattern of behaviour in which a number of persons participate to further interest”

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

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.”

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

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

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

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

Immunization

Seeking early

medical care

Family planning

Child rearing

Disposal of refuse

and excreta

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.”

SOCIAL STRESSRural to urban

migrationExposure 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

STRESS

PSYCHOSOCIAL DISEASES

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

STUDIES IN SOCIOLOGYSOCIAL 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

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.

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.

Thank You