IGNOU| INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY (BSOC - 131)| SOLVED PAPER – (DEC - 2022)| (BAG)| ENGLISH MEDIUM
BACHELOR OF ARTS
(GENERAL)
SOCIOLOGY (BAG)
Term-End Examination
December - 2022
BSOC - 131
INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY
Time: 3 Hours
Maximum Marks: 100
Note: Attempt any five questions in about 500 words
each selecting at least two questions from each Section.
Section-I
1. Discuss the emergence of sociology as a social science discipline. 20
Ans:- Sociology is considered one of the social
sciences. The term sociology was first used by the Frenchman Auguste Compte in
the 1830s. He proposed a synthetic science that would integrate all knowledge
about human activity.
Sociology is a modern science. It focuses specifically on
the patterns and regularities of human behavior.
The subject
area of sociology is divided into the following two parts:-
(i) A
permanent form of social phenomenon
(ii) a dynamic
form of it
The subject
areas of sociology mainly include:-
(i) Society,
social relations, social life, social phenomena, behavior and actions of
individuals, social groups, social interactions.
(ii) Sociology
is different from other social sciences. In this the primary focus is not on
any one individual but on the entire human society. This makes it a unique
subfield among the social sciences.
(iii) The
study of sociology first started in Yale University (America) in 1836.
Subsequently, the study of sociology began in France in 1889, Poland in 1924,
Egypt in 1924, Sweden in 1947 and in Sri Lanka and the University of Rangoon.
1954.
Sociology
emerged as an academic discipline in the early 19th century. It was a response
to the challenges of modernity, such as:
(i) Rapid
industrialization
(ii)
urbanization
(iii) Decline
of traditional social structures
(iv)
Increasing mobility
(v)
Technological progress
(vi) The
anarchy and disorder that arose after the French Revolution in 1789
The emergence of
sociology can be attributed to the influences of intellectual ideas, material
and social development. The roots of sociological writing go back to Greek and
Roman philosophy.
French
philosopher Auguste Comte (1798–1857) is known as the father of sociology.
German sociologist and political economist Max Weber also influenced the
discipline of sociology.
The first fully
independent university department of sociology was established in 1892 by
Albion W. Small (1854–1926) at the University of Chicago. In 1895 he founded
the American Journal of Sociology.
As a social
science, sociology makes generalizations or general statements regarding trends
among different dimensions of social life.
2. Examine the concepts and methods of sociology used in
social psychology. 20
Ans:- Social psychology uses many of the concepts and
methods of sociology to study the relationships between humans and their social
environment. Social psychology emphasizes the influence of social structure and
culture on individual outcomes, such as personality, behavior, and one's
position in the social hierarchy.
Some of the
concepts of sociology used in social psychology include:-
(i) How do
social factors like culture influence behaviour?
(ii) How
cultural values and beliefs shape the way people think and act
(iii) How
social roles, such as gender or race, influence behavior
(iv) Effect of
culture on human behavior
(v) Verstein,
which means deep understanding so as to gain an insider's view of the cultures
of different groups
(vi) Impact of
society on social psychological processes
Some of the
methods of sociology used in social psychology include:-
Naturalistic
observation, social survey, experiment, interview, participant observation, ethnography
and case study, longitudinal study.
Disciplines
like sociology and psychology originated so that the complex nature of
human society and their behavioral patterns could be understood. Sociology
focuses on studying human relationships and how individuals interact with each
other within the larger society. Whereas psychology studies human behavior and
personal experiences as well as their cognitive, emotional and other processes
and their impact on society.
Sociology and
psychology are related to each other because their main subject is human life
and behavior, although they focus from a different perspective. Psychologists
mostly deal with human emotions and how they develop their personality
depending on their society. Whereas sociology focuses on collectivity and
studies humans as part of a larger society.
Social psychology
originated from the idea that society can be studied by giving prime importance
to the study of individuals. Many sociologists like Mead, Cooley, Simmel and
others led the genesis of social psychology. Social psychology is explained as
the attitude of human beings which is formed due to others in the society. It
gives a deeper explanation of social interaction.
Social psychology
draws much inspiration from sociological concepts and methods to explain the
relationships between humans and society. One of Max Weber's principles is
Werstein which means deep understanding in order to gain an insider's view of
the cultures of different groups. Sociologists began to use subjectivity in
their studies and evolved from mere generalization. When phenomena concern
large populations or two different groups of people, social psychology uses
both qualitative and quantitative approaches to explain them. His main
approaches are ethnographic and qualitative approaches which are also important
in sociology.
Another theory
i.e. middle range theory is based on Robert K. Merton and American sociologists
which states that functional unity of society is not true. Because there are
some elements or systems in the society which are not functional and do not
work together in a cooperative manner and do not maintain the unity of the
society. He uses religion as an example to show that religious pluralism exists
in society which creates differences in society. Social psychologists use
similar approaches when they try to explain aggression, cooperation, and
competition in society. People also follow the middle class, they do not always
compete or cooperate, they do when the situation demands.
Various
perspectives of sociology such as symbolic interactionism, social structure and
group process also explain the social psychological approach. For example, the
first focuses on the individual and their ways of building society from their
perspective by adding meaning to it. Secondly, understanding their roles and
interacting accordingly, which reflects social influence on their interactions.
Finally, people from different groups interact with each other which leads to
the emergence of group concept in the society.
Sociological
social psychology studies contemporary situations that help explain the changes
that occur in society due to the impact of individuals and personal behavior on
society. Both psychological and sociological analyzes are taken into account.
3. Is sociology related to history? Discuss. 20
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