DEFINITION AND NATURE OF SOCIOLOGY

Human behavior can only be adequately understood by looking into the relationship of man
with other members of the society. Man is not just a mere biological and rational being. He is also
a being from the cradle to the grave. He is always in the company of others and never in isolation
from birth to death. He associates and interacts with other social setting in order to satisfy his
varied needs. Thus, how and why he behaves in a certain way is greatly influenced by the norms,
values, ethos, expectation, prescription and proscription of the social group to which he belongs.

The science that deals with the study of society and the social interactions taking place
therein is termed SOCIOLOGY. It is concerned with the study of human societies and of human
behavior in social setting. As a discipline, sociology undertakes a scientific study of man’s
behavior as a consequence of his being a member of a social group.

Etymologically, sociology is derived from the Latin word “socius” meaning “companion”or “
associates”, and the word “logos” , a Greek word for “study” . Thus, sociology is the study of
association, group, society and social interaction. Sociology, then, begins with the idea that “
humans are to be understood in the context of their social life, that we are social animals
influenced by interaction, social pattern, and socialization.” It focuses on society, social
organization, social institutions, social interactions, and social problems.

ESSENTIAL CHARACTERISTIC OF SOCIOLOGY

The essential characteristic of sociology, derived from the definition given above, should
Help you understand the discipline better. They are as follows;

1. Sociology is neutral. It seeks knowledge for the sake of knowledge. It describes society
“as it is,” not what “it ought to be.” A sociologist is a social scientist who reports his findings as
they are. He is not partisan, nor biased, nor prejudiced, nor yet one sided. He is ethically neutral
and maintains a value- free position. His conclusions are not influenced by his personal values,
beliefs and prejudices nor are they affected by his political, family or social affiliations. He is
primarily interested in studying society for a better understanding of it not in preserving or
reforming it.

2. Sociology is concerned with the study of human social life. This includes the study of
human interactions and social relationships, social processes, group life, factors that affect group
living, social problems, social phenomena, social stratification and the development of social
institutions.

3. Sociology is a science. It utilizes scientific methods and techniques to develop a body of

organized, systematized and verifiable knowledge about human societies. Like other sciences, it
tries to be objective in how it studies social reality, it requires empirical evidence, and it attempts
to generalize and arrive at conclusions and generalizations based on data and empirical findings.