CHAPTER The most distinct feature of a human life is its social character, All human beings have to interact with each other to survive. Aristotle, the great Greek philosopher remarked that man isa social animal. While both nature and necessity urge a man to live ina society, his, behavior is primarily determined by various forces both physical and social, French philosopher ‘Auguste Comte’ widely recognized as the ‘Father of sociology’ with his general approach to the study of human society laid the foundation to the science of sociology during the 19th century. He first coined the term sociology in the year 1839 (Figure 1.1). The term “sociology” is derived from the Latin word “socius" meaning companion or associate or society and the Greek word “logos” meaning science or study. Etymological meaning of the term sociology is thus the study of society or science of society. Sociology is the systematic study of social events, social organizations, social behavior and human groups. It examines patterns of social interactions, social relationships, social processes, institutions, groups, norms and values that preserve and change them. Asa field of study, it deals with family, gangs, business firms, political Figure 1.1: Auguste Comte (1798-1857) parties, schools, religions and labor unions. It is concerned with poverty, conformity, technology, discrimination, illness, alienation, overpopulation and community. It also focuses on the influence of social relationships upon people's attitudes and behavior and how societies are established. ‘Though a new entrant to the family of social sciences, the importance of this study has increased considerably as it deals with social problems, social relationships and social behavior. he methodology, scope and approach have considerably developed and attempts are now being made to study each social problem scientifically and objectively, thus eliminating subjectivity to the maximum extent possible. Definitions Sociology has been defined by different sociologists in different ways considering various aspects of a society in their definition. Itis very difficult to give a single definition that would encompass all aspects of the society. To geta clear understanding below are some definitions proposed by some famous sociologists. Q Sociology is the science of social pheno- mena “subject to natural and invariable laws, the discovery of which is the object of investigation’ —Auguste Comte © Sociology deals with the behavior of men in groups. —Kimball Young OQ Sociology is concerned with the study of social life and its relationships to the factors of culture, natural environment, heredity and groups. —OgburnHEED “riled Sociology for Nurses © Sociology Is the science of society or of social phenomena. —Lester Ward © Sociology is the study of the relationship between man and human environment. HP Fairchild © Inthebroadest sense, soclologyis the study of human interactions and Inter-relations, thelr conditions and consequences. —Morrls Ginsberg From thewide variety of above definitions, itcan be concluded that sociologists are not unanimous about the meaning of sociology. It shows that there is a continued controversy about the nature and scope of the subject. However, itis abundantly clear that sociology is concerned with human relations and social institutions. NATURE OF SOCIOLOGY Sociology is a branch of knowledge having its own characteristics. Robert Bierstedt (1957) listed the following main characteristics of sociology in his book “The social order” (Box 11). 1. Sociology is an independent science: Sociology is treated as an independent science with its own subject matter, theories and methods. It is not treated or studied as a branch of any other science. 2. Sociology is a social science, not a natural science: As a social science it deals with human beings and social phenomena. It concentrates on a man’s social behavior, social activities and social life. It is closely related to other Box 1.1: Nature of sociology 1. Independent sclence 2. Socal sclence not a natural science 3. Positive science not a normative sclence 4, Pure science not an applied science 5, Abstract sclence not a concrete science 6, Sclence of generalization nota partlcularlzing sclence 7. General social sclence Not a special social science Both a rational and an empirical science social sciences like anthropology, political science, psychology and economics, , Soclology is a positive science, not a normative science: Sociology studies things “as it is” and not “as it ought to bet It does not make any value-judgments or decide the directions in which sociolo cought to go. It concerns with what itis like but does not concern with what it should be or what it ought to be 4, Sociology is a pure science, not an applied science: The main aim of pure science is acquisition of knowledge while that ofan applied science ists application or utilization. Sociology does not deal with practical works, It simply observes the society in a theoretical way and studies the factors underlying various social phenomena. It never determines questions of public policy or recommends any legislation. However, the knowledge acquired by a sociologist is of great help to the administrators, legislators, social workers and citizens. 5. Sociology is an abstract science, not a concrete science: Sociology studies the society in general and does not confine itself to the study of particular events. It studies abstract forms of human events and their patterns such as marriage, religion, family, group, etc. 6. Sociology is a science of generalization, nota particularizing or an individualizing science: Sociology tries to determine general laws or principles about human interaction and association, structure human groupsand societies. It tries tornakt generalizations on the basis of the stud) of some selected events. It does not stil social phenomena from a particular ang 7. Soclology is a general social sclentér not a special social science: The of inquiry of sociology is general specialized, is concerned with econ” religion, social activities in a genera 8. Soctology Is both rational a emplrical science: There are WO 7 5; sjentific knowles ways of approach to scientific ko Empiricismisan approach thatemp! >.It experience and the facts that re from observation and experimentation. Rationalism stresses on reasoning and logical inferences. An empiricist collects facts where as a rationalist coordinates and arranges them. Sociologists avail both empirical and rational resources. ‘SCOPE OF SOCIOLOGY Scope means subject matter or area of study. Itis difficult to study a science systematically unless its boundary or scope is determined precisely. The scope ofa subject can usually be discussed under the limits ofits operations/ applications and branches and subject matter with which it deals. Limits of its Operations and Applications of Sociology Sociology as a science has its own scope or boundaries. There is no one opinion about the scope of sociology. There are two main schools of thought as regards to scope of sociology: (1) Specialist or formalistic school and (2) Synthetic school. There is a good deal of controversy about the scope of sociology between the two schools. Formal school of thought believes that scope of sociology should not be generalized, while the synthetic school believes that sociology should study the society as a whole (Table 1.1). 1. Specialist or Formalistic ‘School ‘The supporters of this school believe that the Scope of sociology should not be generalized Table 1.1: Scope of sociology Siena Siti * Scope ofseciology + Sociology should should not be study the society as Generalized but a whole and that its Confined tothe study scope is very vast of certain specific aspects of the society * Some of the * Some of the exponents of this exponents of this school of thought school of thought are Max Weber, are August Comte, Mier Kandt, George Sorokin, Emile Simmel, Vone Wiese Durkheim Chapter 1: introduction @ ann but confined to the study of certain specific aspects of the society. It should deal with social relationships, activities and processes of socialization. Exponents of this school wish to keep the subject pure and independent. The views of this school regarding scope of sociology are: © Sociology should deal with interpretations of social behaviors only. —Max Weber © Sociology should confine itselfto the study of formal behavior and not the actual behavior of people in the society. —Alfred Vierkandt © Society is a collection of psychic inter- actions between individuals and not just a collection of individuals. —George Simmel © Sociology is a special science and is more important than general sociology. —Vone Wiese 2. Synthetic Schoo! : The supporters of this school believe that sociology is a general science and that its scope is very vast. It should study the society as a whole and not confine itself to the study of only limited social problems. The views of this school regarding scope of sociology are: © The scope of sociology should be consi- derably widened as the study of one aspect of a society can led to misleading results. All aspects of the society are inter-linked to each other asare the parts ofa human body. —August Comte © Scope of sociology should be general and not narrow, It should study the society as a whole. In the modern times no social science can remain isolated by ignoring other subjects of study, —Hobb-House and Sorokin © Sociology is a systematic science with manifold interactions, Itis concerned with general facts of social life. —Sorokin © Sociology is a science of collective repre- sentation. —Emile Durkheim11, Industrial soctology: It studies the different industrial organizations and thelr inter-relationships with Instiiutions of the society. Medical soctology: I dents with appll- cation of soclologieal perspectives and methods In the study of health Issues In societies with a focus on the soelocultural milicu that is related to health aind Illness, Subject Matter of Sociology Sociology being a recent science, the soclo- logists In their attempts to enrich knowledge of sociology developed its own subject matter through different approaches from time to time, Subject matter of sociology Is diverse ranging from crime to social organization, family to state, divisions of race 10 common culture and from stability to radical change, A general outline of the field of sociology Is as unde; © Sociological analysis of human culture and socicty: Sociological analysis being the main concern of thesubject, itattempts to provide an analysis of the human society and culture with a sociological perspective. While displaying a keen interest in the evolution of the society an attempt is made to reconstruct the major Stages of the evolutionary process. An effort is also made to analyze the factors and forces responsible for the historical transformation of the society. © Analysis of primary units of social Mfe: Sociology has put a lot of thought into the study of primary units of social life. 11 deals with social acts, social relationships, individual personality, groups, communities, associations, organizations and population. The subject matter also ranges from the intimate family to the hostile mob, from organized crime 10 religious cults, from the division of race, gender and social class to the shared bellefs ofcommon culture, from the sociology of work to the sociology of sport, © Development of social Institutions: Sociology has been concerned about the Chapter t:introduction QR in, development, structure, function, changes and challenges of a wide variety of soclal Institutions Hike family, kinship, religion and varlous other economic, polliical, legal, educational, sclentific, reercational, welfare, cesthetle Institutions, © Pocus on human Interactions: Soclology focuses on human Interactlons—mutual and reciprocal, associated feelings, attitudes and actions. Sociological enquiry Is on people as social beings and their activities change In relation 10 one another Attention Is on the way people structure thelr relationships, form, sustain and change social ties, © Focus on fundamental social processes: Fundamental social processes such as co-operation and competition, accommodation and assimilation, social conflict Including war and revolution, communication including opinion formation, expression and change, social control and deviance including crime, suicide, social integration and social change have assumed importance In sociological studies. © Focuson research: Sociology has placed a great premium on methods of research as contemporary sociology has evolved from simply being philosophical and idealistic to being more rational and empirical. Sociologists are directing their efforts on formulating concepts, propositions and theories, Q Emergence of new branehes: Many new branches such as soctology of knowledge, sociology of medicine, sociology of law have emerged. ‘Thus, the scope of sociology Is very wide, It Is not only u general science but also a special sclence. The subject matter of all social sclences Is society. What distinguishes them from one another Is thelr viewpoint, Economics stuiles society from an economic viewpoint; polltical sclence studies tt fron polltical vlewpotnt while history studies tt from ahistorical viewpoint. Its nelther possible nor essential to delimit the scope of sociology.EID" ntiea Sociotogy tor Nurses SIGNIFICANCE OF SOCIOLOGY IN NURSING Sociology is the study of human relationships and institutions. Itplays a significant role in the field of medicine and nursing with the common goal of preventing illness and restoration of health. While sociology emphasizes on the study of society, community and people, nursing as a profession emphasizes onassisting individuals, families and communities in attaining and maintaining optimal health and functioning. The study of sociology is essential for healthcare professionals as it allows them to better comprehend the social conditions responsible forvarioushealth problems. Italso helpsthem understand the causal relationship between the disease and the social condition. Study of sociology helps nurses in the following ways (Figure 1.3): 1, Comprehend social processes + Anurse can better position herself by understanding the characteristics social processes. Preventive ‘and public health sociology the society palient ‘Comprehend ‘Significance of In nursing Change the environment * + Figure 1.3: Significance of sociology in nursing of social relationships withing) community, factors such as ¢ status, political influences, molar religious practices and the impan of their complexities on healthean services. “4 A study of subject sociology provides her with an insight into the prevalen, social practices, superstitious belie, family structure, community and the society. All these factors are importan for planning and implementingnursing care. It also helps to understand social stressors which affect patient adverse, 2. Understand social life of patients Health is in a major way determined bycustoms, Deliefs and traditions both social and cultural. A nurse needs recognize these social determinants of health as individuals from diverse social groups experience the worl differently. This will allow her to perceive the subjective experience Understand ‘social life of patients Provide quality care to patients, Acquaint with social environment Adjust to the situationof patients accurately. Sociology thus offers a valuable base of knowledge for nursing practice. Many socioeconomic factors and pressures like status, stigma, cultural taboos and customs may be playing on the patient's health adversely. A nurse with awareness of these factors can provide better care to patients. An understanding of the strata of society the patient comes from gives a clear hearing of the patient's thoughts and feelings which in turn helps her in providing comprehensive care to patients, Sociology enables nurses to understand the attitude of persons towards medical care, barriers of communication, and interpersonal components of discase Process. Sociology allows nurses to understand the cause and meaning of patient behavior and gain greater insight into human problems as related to illness. A fine understanding of the inter- relationships between socio-economic variables and the health parameters helps the nurse in identification and control of various diseases. Study of sociology makes her aware of the factors contributing to positive Outcome and the barriers to treatment and rehabilitation. It helps in recognizing community health resources and facilities available for individuals. All healthcare professionals including nurses must have an understanding Of their patient's social background if they have to deliver the best services possible. Nurses must understand who their service usersare and who they are likely to be caring for so as to ensure delivery of best caring experience. Sociology as a subject provides this understanding and is thus capable of constituting valuable theoretical knowledge. ‘Chapter + Sociology being a study of social facts enables the nurses to relate to the client as a whole. Community nurses are required to deal with the family and otherrelated problemssuch as housing, economic status, social isolation and psychosocial disturbances among patients. A proper perception of the above factors helps her provide comprehensive care to patients. # An awareness regarding the social support available for a patient helps the nurse plan for rehabilitative care. * Sociology empowers the nurses in meeting the challenges they will encounter while providing patient care. + An awareness of the social distribution of health provides nurses with a broad understanding of the health issues associated with individuals from different social backgrounds and the Kind of patients they are likely to come in contact with. The benefits are evident when attention is paid to the locality where the nurse is employed. + An understanding of each individual patient's social context provides a significantinsight into their healthcare experience. While seeing the world from patient's perspective the nurse is able to employ the required skills and practice depending upon the social backgrounds they come from. 4, Acquaint with the social environment + A proper understanding of the social environment helps a nurse provide better care for improving the patient condition. + Ithelpsthe nurse to perceive behaviors, conflicts, inter-personal relationships, hierarchies and group dynamics among various people working in the hospital. + Ithelps to build interpersonal relation- shipsbetween patients, medical personnel and other healthcare providers. Tniredicion 3. Provide quality carc to patientsNS HEED + oniied sociology for Nurses . Adjust to the situation his social milieu. Psychological, sociy Knowledge of sociology helps the and vocational handicaps of disable nurse adjust to various situations in the people and patients are often y hospital environment. + Sociological knowledge promotes a better understanding of the patients and co-workers among nurses. 6. Change the patient environment + Medical sociology while recognizing the significance of social forces in health takes into account such forces while organizing public health programs so asto change the behavioral pattern. Medical sociology investigates health and medical issues from an independent sociological perspective. + Sociology allows the nurses to develop a critical understanding of the social circumstance the individuals are in and the forces and pressures which threaten their health. This provides them with an opportunity to promote social change. 7, Actas an agent of change + A nurse with a capacity to heal or make the patient feel better is not only treating his illness but also improving the quality of their lives. « Armed with an understanding of how society works and its impact on health, nurses can become a powerful force advocating for a fairer society to eradicate the social factors contributing topoorhealth and uneven distribution. Knowledge of sociology prepares the nurse for impending challenges, and impartsuch knowledge to patients thus allowing them to confront their own. challenges. Patients are empowered to challenge their situation, enhance their own wellbeing both in terms of individual lifestyle changes and more radically by changing the system responsible for causing the health inequality, 8. Provide care to special groups in the society ® A patient with physical handicap should be understood in the context of with false attitudes of people, oa + Knowledge of sociology helps nurse recognize social needs of speci population (children, aged, physical challenged, mentally impaired, Hy, AIDS patients) and provide them suitable care, 9. Know social landscape + All regions have social characteristics because of their being dominated by certain social groups and social issues For example, a hospital in a backward area can expect a higher proportion of patients from lower sacial clesses single mothers, ethnic minorities and alcohol addicts along with the effects of poverty such as poor dietard substandard housing. Nurses need to be aware of the social make-up of te locality within which they are more likely to be caring for and the problems they are more likely to encounter as professionals. 10. Preventive and public health + Preventive medicine attempts t0 control and manage developmett and distribution of ill health befor individuals become susceptible toil Having prior knowledge of subjec sociology provides nurses with! greater understanding of individual and the factors contributing to the! ill health. ; + By understanding the social circum stances from which ill health ati and how social groups @fe affected i different ways, community nurses @ develop a more detailed knowles the lifestyle of different social BFE Through this knowledge then subsequently offer advice on the patients and service usess$ make within their own environ™ improve health.Chapter 1: Introduction a eview Questions _ Long Essays 1. Define sociology, Describe In detall the scope of sociology. 2, Write a brief note on significance of sociology In nursing profession, 3. Describe the nature of sociology. How does sociology help in nursing profession? Short Essays 1. Explain nature of sociology. 2. Deserilse various branches of sociology. 3. Relevance of study of sociology for a nurse, Short Answers 1, Medical sociology 2. List the three important divisions of sociology 3. Define sociology Multiple Choice Questions 1. Sociology is derived from which of the following two words? a. Socius and logos b. Societus and logos ©. Science and logos 4. Socitus and logos 2. Which of the following is a formal School of thought in relation to scope of sociology? 3. Sociology should study the society as awhole da 2b 3a 4a 5.a . Medical sociology deals with: . Social physiology deals with: b, Scope of soclology should not be generalized c. Scope of sociology Is generalized d. Soclology Is a general sclence nota special science Which of the following is a synthetic school of thought In relation to scope of sociology? a. Sociology should study the society asa whole b. Scope of sociology should not be generalized ©. Scope of sociology is generalized d. Sociology is a general science not a special science a. Application of sociological methods in the study of health issues b. Geographical aspects of society in relation to health © Application of psychological methods in the study of health issues 4. Application of sociology methods in the study of social relations a. Interactions ofa society b, Geographical aspects of a society © Social laws of a society 4. Dynamic aspects of a society