THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SOCIOLOGY AND OTHER SOCIAL SCIENCES

INTRODUCTION

Sociology is a science of society, as a social science it attempts to study social life as a whole, but for the understanding  of social life, sociology requires the help of other social sciences which studies a particular aspects of society whereas political science studies political science studies political aspects.

Hence it is obvious that other social science are closely related to sociology. Sociology is considered as the mother of social sciences. Besides sociology synthesizes other social sciences.

1.     SOCIOLOGY AND POLITICAL SCIENCE

As a mother of social sciences, sociology has close and intimate relationship with all other social science. Hence it has close relationship with political science as well. Their relationship is so close and intimate that led G.E.C Catlin to remark “political science and sociology are two faces or aspects of the same figure”.

Sociology is a science of society it is a science of social groups and social institutions. It is a general science of society, it studies human interaction and inter-relations their conditions and consequences. Political systems, types of government and international relations. It deals with social groups organized with the sovereign of the state.

In the words of Paul Junet “political science is that part of social science which treats the function of the state and principles of government”. It studies the political activities of man. It only studies the organized society. However their inter-relationship dependence can be known from interdependence and mutual relationship.

Sociology depends on political science, in the words of Morris Ginsberg “Historically sociology has its main roots in politics and philosophy of history”. Sociology greatly benefited from the books written by political scientist like Plato, Aristotle, and Kautilya such as the Republic, the politics and Arthasastra respectively.

Each and every social problem has a political cause political science is part of sociology, hence sociology depends on political science to comprehend itself. To understand different political events sociology takes the help from political science, any change in the political system or nature of power structure brings changes in society. Hence both are inter-dependent.

Similarly political science also depends on sociology, political science is part of sociology. Almost all political problems has a social cause and for the solution of these political problems, political science takes the help of sociology.

State frames its rules, regulations and laws on the basis of social customs traditions and values. Without sociological background the study of political science will be incomplete. Some researchers of political scientist and research methods of the sociologist, some consider political science as a sociology as subject of social groups.

Thus both political science and sociology contributes to each other. But inspite of their inter-relationship and inter-independence both sciences differ from each other.

The  Differences Between Sociology And Political Science

1.     The scope of sociology is very wide but scope of political science is limited.

2.     Sociology is a science of society and social relationship, whereas political science is a science of state government.

3.     Sociology is a special science but political science is a special science.

4.     Sociology is a new or young science but political science is an older science.

5.     Sociology studies both formal and informal relations whereas political science studies only formal relations.

6.     Sociology studies social activities of man whereas political science studies political activities of man.

2.     SOCIOLOGY AND HISTORY

As a mother of social sciences sociology has a close and intimate relationship with other social science. Accordingly it has close, relationship with history, because presents society bears symbols of past. Relationship between the two is so close and intimate that scholars to acknowledge sociology as a science distinct from history.

Sociology is the science of society. It is a study of systems of social action and their inter-relations. Sociology is a science of social groups and social institutions. History studies the important past events and incidents.

It records men past life of societies in a systematic and chronological order. It also tries to find out the causes of past events. It also studies the past political, social and economic events of the world.

It not only studies the past but also establishes relations with present and future, that is why it is said that “history is the microscope of the past, the horoscope of the present  and telescope of the future”.

However, both the sciences are closely inter-related and inter-dependent one each other both study the same human society, their mutual dependence led G. H. Howard to remark that, “history is the past sociology and sociology is the present history” both takes help from each other at the same time one depends on the other for its own comprehension.

          History helps and enriches sociology, history is the store house of knowledge from which sociology use. History is record of past about different stages of life. Sociology uses this information. Books written by historians like; A. Toynbee are of great use for sociologist. To know the impact of a particular past events sociology depends on history.

          Similarly sociology also provides help to history and enriches it. A historian greatly benefited from the research conducted by sociologist. Historians now study caste, class and family by using sociological data. Sociology provides the background for the study of history.

          Now history is being studied from sociological angle. Every historical event has a social cause or social background. To understand that historical events history need the help from sociology and sociology provides facts on which historians rely on.

          Thus, history and sociology are mutually dependent on each other. History is now being studied from sociological point of view. Historical sociology now become a new branch of sociology which depends on history. Similarly sociological history is another specialized subject based on both the sciences.

          But inspite of the above closer relationship and inter-dependence both the sciences differ from each other from different angles which are described below:

The Differences Between Sociology And History

1.     sociology is a science of society and is concerned with the present society. But history deals with the past events and studies the past society.

2.     Sociology is abstract whereas history is concrete in nature.

3.     Sociology is a general science whereas history is also a special science.

4.     Sociology is an analytical science whereas history is a descriptive science.

5.     The scope of sociology is very wide whereas the scope of history is limited. Sociology includes history within its scope.

3.       SOCIOLOGY AND ECONOMICS

          Sociology hence has it close relationship with all social sciences and also with Economics. The relationship of sociology with economics is very  close, intimate and personal.

There exists close relationship between these two because economic relationship between these two because economic relationship bear a close relation to social activities and relationships. Likewise social relationship are also affected by  economic relationships. Economic activities to a great extent are social activities, hence both are mutually related.

          Sociology is a science of human beings. Sociology is the study of human interactions and inter-relations their conditions and consequences. But economics deals with economic activities of human. It is a science of wealth and choice. According to profit Robbins, “Economic is a social science which studies human behaviour to relation to his unlimited ends and scarce means which have alternative use”.

          It is concerned with the activities of man such as production, consumption, distribution and exchange. It also studies the structure and functions of different economic organizations like banks, markets e. t. c. it is also concerned with the material needs of man as well as his material welfare.

          However, there exists a great deal of inter-relationship between these two sciences. Both are interdependent and inter-related with each other, because of this inter-relationship Thomas Opinus that Economics is, infact, but one branch  of sociology . Economic is regarded as offshoot of sociology which studies the general principles of all social relations. Their inter-relationships are as follow:

1.     Economics takes the help of sociology, for its own comprehension which takes the help of sociology and depends on it.

2.     Economics is a part of sociology hence without the help from sociology economics can’t understand itself completely.

3.     Economics is concerned with material welfare of man which is common welfare

4.     Economic welfare is a part of social welfare for the solution of different economic problems such as inflation, poverty, unemployment e.t.c

5.     Economic takes the help of sociology and takes into account the social events of that particular time.

Economic draws its generalization basing on the data provided by sociology, thus economic cannot go far or develop without the help of sociology. Some economists also consider economic change as an aspect of social change.

Economics is greatly benefited by sociologists like Max-Weber, Pareto e.t.c.

Similarly sociology also takes the help from economic, economics greatly enriches sociological knowledge. An economic factor greatly influences each and every aspects of social life. Economic is a part of sociology hence without the help of economics we can’t understand sociology properly.

Knowledge and research in the field of economics greatly contributes to sociology. Each and every social problem has an economic cause, sociologists take the help from economic.

Thus both sociology and economics are very closely related with each other. There are some problems which are been studied by both sociologists and economists. Economic changes result in social changes and vice versa. However, inspite of the above closeness, inter-relationship and inter-dependence both the sciences have certain differences.

The Differences Between Sociology And Economics

1.     Sociology is a society and social relationships whereas economics is a science of wealth and choice.

2.     Sociology is an abstract science whereas economics is a concrete in nature.

3.     Sociology is a general social science whereas economics is a special social science.

4.     Both sociology and economics differ from each other in respect of the methods and techniques they use for their study.

4.  SOCIOLOGY AND PSYCHOLOGY

Sociology is a science of society, hence it is closely related to other social sciences with psychology are very closely interlinked, interrelated and interdependent. Relationship between the tow is so close and intimate that psychologist like Karl Pearson refuses to accept both as special science. Both depend on each other for their own comprehension. Their relationship will be clear if we analyze their interrelationship and mutual dependency.

Sociology is a science of social phenomena and social relationship. It is a science of collective behaviour, it studies human behaviour in groups, but psychology is a science of mind or mental processes.

It is a science of human behaviour which analyses attitudes, emotions, perception process of learning and values of individuals and process of personality formation in society.

Sociology receives help from psychology, psychology is a part of sociology hence without the help from psychology sociology can’t understand itself fully and properly. There are many psychologist like Freud, Mac Douglas and others who have enrich sociology in many respects.

A new branch of knowledge has developed with the combination of sociology and psychology which is known as social psychology.

Similarly, psychology depends on sociology to comprehend itself fully. Psychology also requires help from sociology in many cases. As human mind and personality is being influence by social environment culture, customs and traditions hence psychology takes the help from sociology. To understand human nature and behaviour properly psychology depends on sociology understand, social problems.

A research in social problems in sociology, contribution and theories of many sociologists also are of great help to psychologist.

Thus sociology and psychology are mutually dependent on each other. One can’t comprehend itself without the help from others. Psychology is developed with the combination of the two. In the words of Kretch and Crutchfield social psychology is the science of behaviour of the individuals in society.

The Differences Between Sociology And Psychology

1.     Scope of sociology is wide whereas scope of psychology is limited.

2.     Sociology is a science of society but psychology is a science of mind.

3.     Sociology studies social processes whereas psychology studies mutual process.

4.     Society is the unit of study in sociology but individual is the unit of study in case of psychology.

5.     Sociology studies and analyzes human behaviour from sociological angle whereas psychology studies and analyzes human behaviour from psychology angles.

5.       SOCIOLOGY AND GEOGRAPHY

It has been realized from ancient times that geography has a great impact on human society, the influences of geographical conditions on human society are predominant and that there exists a special relationship between it and sociology.

There is no denying the fact that there is a correspondence between physical conditions and modes of living.

Some people have attributed a dominant role to geography, regarding it as the primary determinant of wealth and health, the size or energy of population, of their customs and social organizations of other creeds and philosophies.

As social heritage grows the immediate geographical factors would assume a less determinant role in the interpretation of society.

6.       SOCIOLOGY AND LAW

Sociology and law offers the opportunity to closely related disciplines of law and sociology is a three year programme to develop an understanding of the law, taught from a critical perspective which allows you to engage in informed debate about  contemporary legal issues, and sophisticated understanding of the complex global world in which we live, and social forces, identities and for the high quality, innovative, critical and socio-legal education that it provides.

The study of sociology of law and the relationship between law and society in sociological theory dates back to the workers of Max Weber, Emile Durkheim and Talcott parsons. The study of the sociology of law which focuses on the relationship between law and sociology is pursed around the world.

The study of law and crimes has long been of law and crimes has long been of interest to sociologist and has been the subject of a large body of research and theory development. The interaction between law and society means that most things that sociologist study are impact by some type of law, those sociological subject areas which are most likely to be impact by laws include; Organization, industry, science, politics, behavior.

Groups, social organization, occupations, urban environments, medical, marriage and family.

          There are numerous categories of law in civil science which apply to the entire gamut of human activity and correspond to a wide range of individuals and group behavior laws apply to all social institutions, markets, industries, groups and the lives of individual, they govern individual group, and organizational behavior and can impact to the nature of economic, political and social networks (Mornard White, 2008). As time goes by this becomes more complicated; in the late 1900s and early 2000s there has been a huge increase in the volume of legislation that creates or amends laws (Toulson, 2006).

          In several areas of sociological study the impact of law can substantially change the lives of participating research subjects. As sociology focuses on the study of people and their relationships, it is inevitable that modern law will impact these relationships (Fairchild, 1932).

          However, the role of sociology in examining constitutions, laws or social programmers and to what extend practitioners should be actively involved in the change process remains controversial (Grasmick, etal; 1998; Neeley, 2008)

v Marriage

v Aging

v Divorce

similarly sociology and law in several areas as modern law became more pervasive, aspects of social life and the law became more interacting laws influence behavior and regulate activity, and in democratic states those groups classes impact by laws can in turn, influence the scope and intent of the law (Sunstein, 2007).

The Differences Between Sociology And Law

1.     sociology is the study of society, social interaction of humans in its natural environment without law or rules where as law is sets on everyone in the society.

2.     Sociology is a creation of people interacting respectively where as law is the rules and regulation guiding a society.