Terms, Concepts and their use in Sociology Notes in English Class 11 Sociology Chapter-2 Book-Introducing Sociology

 

Introduction 

• There is some special type of terminology related to every subject 

• Without understanding them, it is a bit difficult to understand that subject like   Maths,   Science,  History  

• Glossary in each topic ensures accurate communication,  facilitating learning. 

• It enhances clarity, accuracy and understanding of concepts, promoting knowledge dissemination within subjects.

• In sociology, terminology defines concepts, theories, and phenomena,  allowing for accurate analysis of social structures, behaviors, and dynamics. 

• Sociological knowledge is based on general intellectual knowledge 

• Just as there are different types of individuals and groups in the society, similarly there are many types of concepts and ideas. 

Understanding of society from sociology 

• Sociology is known for observing social changes in order to understand society.

• For Karl Marx, class and struggle were key concepts for understanding society, 

• Social solidarity and collective consciousness were the key words for Émile Durkheim.

• In sociology some people tried to understand human behaviour. 

• Others have sought to understand macro structures such as class, caste, market, state or community.

• After World War II, sociology was heavily influenced by structural functionalists who found society to be remarkably harmonious.

Social groups and society  

• A social group refers to a set of individuals  who interact with each other,   share a sense of identity or belonging, and  have similar interests, norms, and values.

• These groups can vary in size from small friendship circles to large organisations or communities. 

• Sociologists study how these groups form, function, and affect individuals and society as a whole.

• The comparative and historical perspective of sociology brings forth two facts 

1. Groups and collectivities exist in every society.

2. The types of groups and collectivities are different

• Any gathering of people does not necessarily constitute a social group.

Set = Quasi group 

It is simply a gathering of people  who gather at one place at one time but do not have any fixed connection with each other.

• Traditional society Close, intimate, face-to-face interaction 

• Modern society is based on impersonal, detached, remote interactions

Types of social groups 

• Primary and secondary groups 

• in- and out-groups  

• Community and Society 

• Reference Group 

• Peer group 

Primary Groups

• Small groups that are connected by close face-to-face interaction and cooperation. 

• Person-oriented

• The members have a sense of belonging to each other.

• Family, Village and Group of Friends 

Secondary Group 

• Relatively large in size

• Goal Oriented

• Formal and impersonal relationships

• School, Government Office, Hospital, Student Union

community 

• human beings that are so personal, intimate, and enduring,

• An individual's participation is important.

Society 

• Impersonal, external and temporary relationships.

• The behaviour of one person towards another is measured, rational and based on personal interests 

👉 community = primary group

👉Society = Secondary group 

external group

• are unrelated

• Lack of relationships 

• Lack of sacrifice and empathy 

In-group 

• sense of belonging 

• is found in close relationships 

• Sacrifice and compassion

Reference Group 

• For some people there are always other groups they look up to and want to be like. 

• The groups whose lifestyle is imitated are called reference groups.

• Middle class Indians tried to behave exactly like the British

• This process was gender-biased

• Indian men wanted to be like English men. 

• But he wanted Indian women to keep their lifestyle 'Indian'.

Peer group 

• It is formed between people of the same age or between people of the same occupational group.

social stratification 

• Inequality between groups in society based on access to material or symbolic benefits

• Society has a hierarchical system consisting of several layers

• In this hierarchy, the more privileged are at the top and the less privileged are near the bottom.

1. Slavery 

2. Caste

3. Square 

4. Estate 

Caste

• The status of a person is determined by birth 

• Different castes formed a hierarchy of social superiority. 

• Each position in the caste structure was defined by its purity or impurity in relation to the others.

• The priestly caste, the Brahmins, are the most sacred, the rest are the best, and the Panchamas, sometimes called 'outer castes', are the lowest.

• The traditional system is generally conceptualised as the four varnas (castes) of Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra.

• The caste system in India has undergone many changes over time. To maintain the purity of the so-called upper castes, intermarriage and the absence of members of the so-called lower castes in rituals were considered very important.

• The caste system in India has undergone many changes over time. To maintain the purity of the so-called upper castes, intermarriage and the absence of members of the so-called lower castes in rituals were considered very important.

Social class 

• Class refers to a group based on the distribution of similar economic resources, such as wealth, income, or property.

• In this system of stratification, a person is born into a social ranking, but can easily move up or down depending on his class.

• In Marxist theory, social classes are defined by their relationship to the means of production.

• Max Weber used the term life chances to refer to the rewards and advantages that market potential provides.

• Functionalist theory starts from the general assumption that no society is classless or unstratified. Social inequalities are functional for society because they provide incentives for the most talented people

'Status' and 'role' are often seen together.

status

• It is about social status and the certain rights and duties attached to these statuses.

Role

• The process of carrying out one's own tasks 

👉 In every society and every group there are many such statuses and every person occupies many such statuses.

👉 Statuses are assumed, 

👉 Roles are played.

status order 

• People occupy different statuses at different stages of their lives. 

• A son becomes a father, the father becomes a grandfather and then a great-grandfather and so on.

Types of status

1. Ascribed status

• Receives it by birth or involuntarily.

• The basis is age, caste, race and kinship.

2. Acquired Status

• A person achieves it through his own will, ability, achievements, virtues and choice.

• The basis is educational qualification, income and professional expertise.

Role conflict

• There is inconsistency between roles associated with one or more statuses.

• When two or more roles create conflicting expectations.

Role stabilization

• It is the process of reinforcing certain roles for certain members of society.

social control

• The use of force to regulate the behaviour of individuals and groups and to enforce values ​​and norms to maintain order in society.

types of social control 

1. Formal control

• When codified, systematic means of control are used it is known as formal social control. 

• For example, law and state.

2. Informal control

• It is personal, non-governmental and uncodified.

• There are various means of informal social control viz. family, religion, kinship etc.

Deviations 

• The behaviour of an individual or an entire society which is against social norms or standards, due to which the individual does not receive social support and is put into social isolation.

• Social control can be positive or negative. 

• Society members can be rewarded for good behavior.

• Negative sanction can also be used to bring deviants back on track