12/12/2025
📘 Introduction to Sociology Ordinary Level
Introduction
“Let’s begin with a simple but important question — what exactly is sociology? Well, it’s all around you. From how people behave in public to why we listen to certain types of music or form families — sociology helps us understand it all.”
• Sociology is the scientific study of society.
• The word sociology comes from two words:
o Socius (Latin) – meaning society
o Logos (Greek) – meaning study
o Put together: Sociology = Study of society
📘 Definition:
Sociology is the scientific study of human social behaviour, group interactions, and how societies are structured and change over time.
• Sociology looks at:
o Human behaviour – how people act
o Human interaction – how people relate to one another
o Social life – the patterns, norms, and values that shape how we live
🗣️ Example: Why do people greet each other differently in different cultures? Why do some societies prefer nuclear families and others extended? Sociology explores these questions.
• Sociology began as a subject to explain major changes that happened in Europe during the 19th century.
📘 Definition:
19th century – the period from 1801 to 1900.
• These changes included:
o Industrialization (rise of factories)
o Urbanization (growth of cities)
o Changes in family life, religion, and work
• Sociology studies all areas of human social life, including:
o Shopping habits
o Sexuality
o Popular music
o Education
o Religion
o Politics
🗣️ Example: Sociology doesn’t just study big things like war or poverty — it can also study why people shop in groups or how music affects behaviour
• Sociologists don’t study individuals in isolation — they study groups.
📘 Definition:
Human group – a collection of people who interact or share something in common (e.g., family, school class, or a nation).
• Groups studied in sociology include:
o Small groups – families, circles of friends
o Large groups – schools, communities, entire nations
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