By: Steve Patterson
Submitted: 2011-03-15 18:35:50 | Word Count: 514
Sociology coursework deals with the different social relationships and the rules by which they are governed. Some of the interesting facts about sociology is:
1) Sociology employs scientific method: All the methods of sociology are scientific. In them are employed among others such scientific apparatus as scales of Sociometry, Schedule, Questionnaire, interview and case history etc. In these methods, the first step is the collection of data through observation, which is then scientifically recorded. Following this, the data is classified, and finally laws are enunciated on the basis of accepted data. The validity of these laws is verified.
2) Sociology is factual: Sociology studies social relations and activities. As Reuter and Hart have expressed it, "The general problem that sociology gets for itself is a description of the social process." In this way, sociology makes a scientific study of facts and the general principles concealed in them. Comte went to the extent of describing it as Social Physics.
3) The principles of Sociology are universal: The laws of sociology prove true at all times and places. As long as the conditions do not vary the laws are devoid of any exception. For example, the principle that individual disorganization and social disorganization depend upon each other is true in all times and places.
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4) Sociological principles are veridical: In this way, the laws of Sociology prove true in all verification. Their validity can be examined by any one. To take an example, one can consider the law that an increase in the number of divorces indicates acceleration of family disorganization. Now, wherever the number of divorces is increasing, family disorganizations would be showing an upward trend, this principle can be examined anywhere.
5) Sociology delineates cause effect relationship: In the foregoing example of divorces and family disorganization, divorce is an effect and family disorganization one of its causes. Sociology has divorced a cause effect relation between the phenomena of divorce and family disorganizations. In the same way, sociology traces cause effect relationships in social disorganization and other incidents, activities and relationships in society and then formulates law concerning them.
6) Sociology can make predictions: On the basis of cause effect relationships sociology can anticipate the future and make predictions concerning social relationships, activities and incidents etc. If disorganization in the families becomes pronounced, it can make prediction concerning the number of divorces, illicit relationships and many other things. Knowing the cause and effect relationship, it can determine "what will be" on the basis of 'what is'.
It is clearly evident from the foregoing description of Sociology that it is a science. Sociologist thinks in terms of abstractions and scientific study is possible only through abstract forms. The laws of these abstract forms determine the reactions of concrete objects. In this way the laws of sociology are effectively universal and veridical. Sociology tries to discover cause effect relations in social, family and individual disorganizations and other social maladies and relations, incidents and reactions, besides other social facts. Sociology has brought a revolutionary change in man's assumptions and has brought hope for a future harmony in human society.
