An Introduction To Sociology

The present edition has been updated with the addition of more and latest available material. An attempt has been made to provide up-to-date information in reference to current sociological context. Chapter 29 - ‘Population’ and chapter 41 -’Major Social Problems’ have been completely updated based on today’s social scenario. Questions have been framed at the end of each chapter to aid the students in reviewing the content, recalling the facts and preparing for examinations. Social Welfare in India has been treated in a separate chapter wherein the problems of underprivileged sections of society and the measures undertaken for their welfare have been highlighted. The concepts of Westernization, Sanskritization and Modernization have been included under Social Mobility and discussed separately. ‘Social order’ has been included in the chapter on Social Disorganization. The social evil of Beggary has been added in the chapter on Major Social Problems. It is hoped that the present edition in its revised and updated form will be found greatly useful by the college/university students including those of B.Sc. (Hons.) Nursing and the candidates appearing for U.P.S.C. and other competitive examinations. This book will also be very useful for researchers, educators, students in the field of human rights, community, health, law, medicine, ethics, children and feminist movements, politics, and any individual concerned to humanity.

PART ONE — Introduction

1. Definition and Scope of Sociology

2. Methods and Techniques of Sociology

3. Relation of Sociology with Other Social Sciences

PART TWO—The Society

4. Some Fundamental Concepts

5. Man and Society

6. Socialisation

7. Interests and Attitudes

8. Elements of Social Action-talcott Parsons

9. The Process of Social Interaction

10. Society and Environment

11. Heredity and Environment

Part Three—Social Structrue

12. Social Structure—A Conceptual Overview

13. Social System

14. Types of Social Groups

15. Collective Behaviour

16. Social Movements

17. The Family

18. Marriage

19. Social Stratification

20. Social Stratification in India

21. Role and Status

22. Leadership

23. Political System

24. Economic System

25. Race

Part Four—Human Ecology

26. Rural Community

27. Urban Community

28. The Nation Community

29. Population

Part Five—Social Control

30. Meaning and Nature of Social Control

31. Values and Norms

32. Folkways and Mores

33. Custom, Law and Fashion

34. Religion and Morality

35. Agencies of Social Control

Part Six—Social Change

36. Theories of Social Change

37. Factors of Social Change

38. Culture and Civilisation

39. Personality

Part Seven—social Disorganisation And Social Problems

40. Social Disorganisation

41. Major Social Problems

Part Eight—Social Thought

43. August Comte, Herbert Spencer and Durkheim

44. Max Weber and Karl Marx