SSF1163 INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY

WHAT IS SOCIOLOGY?

The study of human behaviour in society

SSF 1163

INTRODUCTION TO
SOCIOLOGY

NAME OF GROUP MEMBERS:

NURUL DINIE NASUHA (82280)
NUR SYUHADA BINTI SHAHARUN (82279)

CHARLIE CHOK YEAN KHONG (82283)
REX SYNCLAIR DONNY (82116)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART 1
LEARNING UNIT 1: Conceptualising

Society.............................................................1-6
LEARNING UNIT 2: Theoretical Perspectives:

Functionalism...............................................7-12
LEARNING UNIT 3: Theoretical Perspectives:

Conflict Theory.......................................13-18
LEARNING UNIT 4: Methods in Sociological

Research.......................................................19-24

PART 2
LEARNING UNIT 5: Identities, Meanings and

Differences Socialisation and
Social Interaction..................................25-30
LEARNING UNIT 6: Socialisation and Social
Interaction..................................................31-36
LEARNING UNIT 7: Health, Illness. and Disability........37-42
LEARNING UNIT 8: Marriage, Family and Intimate
Relationship.........................................43-48
REFERENCE

1

PART 1

LEARNING UNIT 1:

conceptualising
society

KEY TERMS 2

People & society



Society or human society is a group of people
involved with each other. (Wikimedia contributors,

2002).
For instance, social media plays a huge role in
shaping up a teenager. Teenagers mostly spend their
time on social media. Adolescents create ideas based
on what they see in the media, and these opinions

drive their behaviour.

3

Scientific discipline

Auguste Comte was a key figure in the evolution of
sociology as a recognised subject.
In 1834, Comte coined the term "sociology," and he
was a founder of both the discipline of sociology and
the positivist ideology. (Wikimedia contributors,
2002).
Discipline boundaries were less firmly defined in the
early days of sociology than they are now. Many
traditional sociological thinkers have backgrounds in
history, philosophy, and economics. The issues they
explored and the occasional inclination to unite the
disciplines in a comprehensive explanation of human
life reflect the variety of their training. (Libretexts,
2018).

AUGUSTE

COMTE

4

Sociology



Sociology is the study of groups and
group interactions, societies, and social

interactions ranging from small and
personal groups to very large groups.

(Keirns et al., 2015).
Someone who has even a small amount
of training in the sociology industry can

be an asset in careers like public
relations, teaching, and law.

5

C. WRIGHT
MILLS

Sociological imagination

First introduced in 1959 by
C. Wright Mills. According to Mills, “
Sociology enables us to grasp history and
biography and the of rest relations between the
two within society.”

Understanding your own past in relation to
other people's pasts, as well as history in
general and society institutions in particular.
(Keirns et al., 2015)
For example, drinking coffee or tea might be
a tradition or a ritual for some, but many
choose to consume it daily at a certain time
or whenever they feel like they want to.

6

Sociological thinking

It’s the idea of observing how people lived,
thought, and doing in a systematic manner
came out because of two processes;
industrialization and urbanization.
For example, urbanization occur due to a high
opportunities in the urban area, and people
started a mass migration to cities. (Industrial
Revolution: Causes, Impact and Overview,
2017).

7

PART 1

LEARNING UNIT 2:

theoretical
perspective:
functionalism

8

Dysfunction

Any action or
behaviour that has negative
consequences for a group or society.
Dysfunction are unintended or
unregonized, and are anticipated
disruption in social life.

For example, getting bad grade,
dropping out, not graduating and unable
finding suitable employment.

9

Function



Function is a mode of action or activity
by which a thing fulfill it purpose.

Viewed as a unit or a set of systems that
fulfill an identified role or need in society.

For example, government provides
education for children of the family

10

Functionalism



A theory that states all aspects of a
society serve a function and are

necessary for the survival of a society.
State all elements of a society are

interdependent and they are serve a
function for the stability of a society.
Focus on the functional and dysfunctional
of a relationship among part of society




EMILE

DURKHEIM

11

Structure

Arrangement of and relation
between parts or element of
something complex

The complex and stable
framework of society that
influences all individual or
groups through the
relationship between
institution

12

Theory



A theory is an account of the world
which go beyond what we can see and

measure.
Embrace a set of interrelated
definitions and relationships that

organize our concepts and
understanding of the empirical world in

a systematic way.

13

PART 1

LEARNING UNIT 3:

theoretical
perspective:
conflict theory

14

Competition



Form of social action which we strive
against each other for the possession

of or use of so limited resources.
There are four types of competition:

- Perfect competition
- Monopolistic competition

- Oligopoly
- Monopoly
For example, rivalry between
companies selling similar products and
services with the goal of achieving
revenue, profit, and market share

growth.

15

MKAARRLX

Conflict Theory

State that there is a perpetual class
conflict in the society due to unequal
distribution of resources
Focus on the competition between
groups within society over limited
resource
Karl Marx regarded as the father of social
conflict theory

16

Exploitation



Occurs when one social group is able
to take for itself what produce by
another group.

Terms of exploitation in social science
refers to economic relations of

production or exchange in which a
dominant social class or group
benefits by using the labor or

resources of a subordinate social class
or group.

For example, in labour exploitation the
workers are exploited to work
minimum wages by the higher
management

17

Inequality

Phenomenon of unequal and/or
unjust distribution of resources and
opportunities among members of
given society
· Major example of social inequality
include:
- Income gap
- Gender inequality
- Health care
- Social class

18

Power



An entity or individual’s ability to
control or direct others.

Individual with power has the capacity
to influence the action, belief or
behaviour of other.

For example. Government has the
power of authority to control the

action of the people.

19

PART 1

LEARNING UNIT 4:

methods in
sociological

research

20

Experiment



An experiment was conducted to test
the hypothesis.



For instance, a selected group of
people will be picked with similar
characteristics, and those people will

be divided into two groups (an
experimental group and a control

group). (Keirns et al., 2015).

21

Field research

A study conducted outside the
laboratory usually entails observing
or interacting with people in their
natural contexts over a lengthy
period of time. (APA Dictionary of
Psychology, n.d.)
For instance, a researcher had to go
to field research to observe the place
or interact with their respondent.

22

Hypothesis

An explanation of how variables are
assumed to be connected to one
another, usually based on theoretical
predictions.
For example, if a researcher is
investigating a new technique for
students who struggle in mathematics,
the hypothesis would predict no
difference between the average study
time of those students who receive the
new technique and those who do not.

23

Survey



Data is collected from respondents
who answer a series of questions

about their individual behaviours and
attitudes.

For instance, a survey will be
conducted to gather information from

respondents to collect data.

24

Theory



An explanation for an event that is
supported by a large body of data.
For instance, gum is chewy because it’s
comprised of rubber. Early, gum got the
elastic feeling from chichle (natural type
of latex). Bubble gum is now made of
synthetic rubber such as styrene
butadiene (also used in automobile tires)
or polyvinyl acetate (also used in Elmer's
glue). (13 Scientific Explanations for
Everyday Life | Mental Floss, 2018)

25

PART 2

LEARNING UNIT 5:

identities,
meanings &
differences

26

Development of Reasoning

Introduce by Jean Piaget ( 1896-1980)
Piaget noticed that children's reasoning and
comprehension differed according to their age (Cliffnotes,
2021)
Thinking and memory processes are referred to as
cognition.
Long-term alterations in these systems are referred to as
cognitive development.
The sensorimotor stage lasts from 0 to 2 years.
Infants begin to understand the world via touching,
grasping, watching, and listening with their senses.
Object persistence is created in infants
2–7 years : Children begin to utilise symbolic play ("playing
pretend"), draw drawings, and talk about things that have
happened in the past as they acquire language and
abstract reasoning.
7–11 years : Objects such as height, weight, and volume are
taught to children as logical tangible (physically) rules.
11+ : Kids learn to abstract things.
Humans can understand that this cognitive
development hypothesis is important to us.
For example, it has influenced how people think
about childhood
development today.

27

Looking-Glass self
According to Charles Horton Cooley (1864-1929),
Looking Glass-Self is a concept that refers to our
social self or social identity being dependent on
how we appear to others, particularly significant
people.

Our self-concept or self-image, the thoughts
and feelings we have about ourselves is
thought to develop 'reflectively' in reaction to
how we perceive and internalise how others
view and evaluate us (Oxford Reference, 2021)

charles
horton
cooley

Symbolic interactionism is also linked to this
concept.
The self, a unique element of 'humanness,' is
socially constructed.
Interactions with others might react to
judgments about ourselves, which can help us
establish a sense of self. Whether an individual
likes or dislikes us, reactions can be given.

Role Taking 28

George Herbert Mead introduces ( 1863-
1931)
Play is essential for self-development.
Children learn to play the role of the other
(put themselves in someone else's shoes,
understand how someone else feels and
thinks, and anticipate how that person will
act) through play.
Humans would put themselves in the
shoes of someone else to get a sense of
the role, to learn about someone else's
feelings through play.

Socialization 29

According to Kenton Bell(2021),
socialization is individuals or groups
learn the accepted norms and
conventions of a group or culture
through social interaction throughout
the course of their lives.
The process of individuals
acquiring a society's ideals,
habits, and attitudes,
which begins in childhood
(Merriam Webster, 2021)

30

The agents



Agent of socialization
Any individual or institution that shapes a
person's standards, values, or behaviours
is referred to as an agent of socialisation.

The sources from which we learn (or are
influenced by) socialisation are known as

agents of socialization
Family, community, religion, day care,
school, peers, sports and workplace.

31

PART 2

LEARNING UNIT 6:

socialisation and
social interaction

Groups 32



A group is typically defined in sociology as
a group of persons who share particular
features, interact with one another, accept
group expectations and obligations, and
share a common identity. According to this
definition, society might be considered a

huge group.
Type of groups :- Primary groups,
Secondary groups, In-Groups and Out-
Groups, Reference groups, Social Network
The group is indeed important to
accomplish something. Time, energy can

be saved in daily time

33

Roles
According to Britannica(2020), a role is the
expected behaviour of someone in a particular
social position or status. A role is a socially
acknowledged, comprehensive pattern of
behaviour that allows an individual to be
identified and placed within a society. It can
also be used to deal with recurring events and
other people's roles (for example, parent–child

roles)



Type of roles:
Role Strain: - tensions within a role are

referred to as "role strain”
Role Conflict: There is a conflict between two
or more roles. Conflicting expectations in two

roles played by the same individual.
Role Exit: -Individuals disengage from/leave a
role. Role strain or conflict may be the cause.
People can take on new social roles to replace

old one.
Our life roles have a significant impact on our

decisions and identities

34

Status
An individual's position in a group or
society, frequently in relation to others, as
defined by specific perks and duties as
established by one's rank and role.

Types of Status: achieved status, ascribed
status, master status
Achieved status: personal accomplishment
Ascribed status: often based on biological
factors. (e.g age, daughter/son, ethnicity
and caste position
Master status: occupation, skin tone, ability
, religion etc.

35Social Identity



One's feeling of self as a member of a

social group is referred to as social
identity (or groups). The notion of
social identity is used by sociologists to
explain how people perceive who they
are and why they do what they do.
People describe themselves and others

as belonging to specific groups,
according to social identity theory.
People are more likely to identify with
groups that are similar to themselves,
as opposed to organisations that are

not. (Chegg, 2021)

36

Social Interaction
A social interaction is between two or more

people (The LibreTexts,2021)
Types of Social Interaction (The

LibreTexts,2020) :
1) Exchange

2) Competition
3) Conflict

4)Cooperation
5)Eye Contact
Human social interaction is a crucial aspect
of existence. Students, for example, must
engage in social contact and speak with
one another in the classroom

37

PART 2

LEARNING UNIT 7:

health, illness and
disability

38

Disability
What is disability? Disability is any condition of the body or
mind that makes it more difficult for the person with the

condition to do certain activities and interact with the
world around them. (Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, 2020). We have different perspective about
disability in different culture. But most of them are:

“shameful”, “pity”, and “God is punishing you for
something you need”. There are few classifications of

disabilities.
Physical disability, physical disability can be known as
born disability or acquired in future. A disease could

also cause physical disability.
Spinal cord disability, the spinal cord disability mostly

happens due to accidents head injury disability,
Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) and Traumatic Brain Injury

(TBI). The ABI mostly occurs due to impact from
outside to the head where the TBI occurs congenital.

Cognitive disability, cognitive disability refers to
someone who suffering from dyslexia and other
learning and speaking disorder, invisible disability,

invisible disability refers to blind people.
mental disorder, mental disorder occurs in long or
short term. The phrase “mental health impairment” is
used to characterise those who have had psychiatric

issues or illnesses.

39

Health




What is health? Health is a human condition measured by

four components: physical, mental, social, and spiritual.

According to World Health Organization (1946), health is

a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being

and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. In the

western, the society believes that a poor health means

nature phenomenon and medical treatment need to be

used to cure. Meanwhile in another society, they believe

that bad health is caused by supernatural phenomenon

or some evil spirit. Different culture belief promotes

different perspective.

What is physical health. Physical health can be
defined as a proper or complete body without losing
any part of the body.
Mental health and physical health are two related. A
bad mental health can make huge impact on physical
health. Mental health refers to humans’ emotional,
social, and psychological.
Social health, social health can be defined as ability to
communicate with others to make a good
relationship.
Spiritual health, spiritual health can be explained as
connection between individual, religion, nature, and
social.

40

Illness
What is illness? According to Cambridge
Dictionary, (2021), illness refers to a condition in
which the body or mind is harmed because an
organ or part is unable to work as it usually does,
a disease or sickness. Illness and health are not
absolutes, but they are matters of cultural
definition. Each culture provides guidelines to
determine whether they are ‘healthy’ or ‘sick’.
Illness identity generally comprises 4 different
states: engulfment, rejection, acceptance, and

enrichment. (Bulck, 2018).



· Engulfment is how the sickness effect the
individual’s identity and lifestyle.

· Rejection means the individual regard sickness as
a danger and cannot be tolerate to own’s
characteristic.

· Acceptance means toleration between individual
and own sickness.

· enrichment means individual regard sickness as
part of themselves and able to move on.

41
Impairment



Impairment is an absence of or significant
difference in a person’s body structure or
function or mental functioning. (Centers for

Disease Control and Prevention, 2020).
Each type of impairment can be categories as

permanent impairment, temporary
impairment and situational impairment. For

example, a deaf person is consider as
permanent impairment, a fainted person is
consider as temporary impairment and a noisy
room can make people fall into situational

impairment.
· vision impairment.
· hearing impairment.
· mobility impairment
· cognitive impairment
· speech impairment

42

Sick role
Sick role is something issued by Talcott Parsons.
Sick role means how the social regard on illness,
individual advantage, and society responsibility for
someone who fall ill. There are four elements of

sick role.
· Firstly, people who fall ill should not be
responsible to their social role and the exception

must be proven by medical expert.
· Secondly, the sick need to have someone to look

after.
· Furthermore, the sick must have responsible to

recover from illness.
· Fourth, the sick should work together and ask for
assist to recover. For example, people who suffer

from heart attack may have extra time for rest.
The sick role consists relationship between the

sick and the healer.



talcott
parsons

43

PART 2

LEARNING UNIT 8:

marriage, family
and intimate
relationship

44
Challenges in family
As family structures evolve time over time, so
do the issues that families might encounter.

Divorce. Divorce is the ending of a
marriage. It can also be emancipation.
There are fault based and no-fault based
divorcement. Fault based divorcement
means one of the individual has to point
out other individual’s fault in the marriage

Remarriage. Remarriage can be refer to
remarries after one have obtained a
divorce.

Violence and abuse. Violence and abuse are
the most family issue regardless then or now.
Violence and abuse in family can be happen
between spouses, among siblings, or elder to
child.

45

Family

“The family is an intimate domestic group if people
related to one another by bonds of blood, sexual
mating, or legal ties (UKessays. ,2018 ). Normally, a
family involves one or more than one adult and
followed up with children. In older days, male
usually regard as head of the family, while female
has lower position in family. In modern days,
equality between female and male become
comprehensive, male does not dominate the whole
family in financial anymore.

- Nuclear family
- Extended family
- Single parent family
- Reconstituted family
- Childless family

For instance, a family is not about marriage within two
person, but relationship between children and elders.

46

Marriage
“Sociologists define marriage as a socially supported

union involving two or more individuals in what is
regarded as stable, enduring arrangement typically
based at least in part on a sexual bond of some kind (

Crossman, 2019 ). Different society has different
definition of marriage, stay together for long time can
be consider as marriage other than same religious or

civil sanction. In most of the society nowadays,
marriage is the foundation for the family.
There are many types of marriage


-Monogamous marriage
-Polygamy marriage
-Polyandry marriage
-Polygyny marriage



Marriage is like an individual plays a role in another
individual’s life. For instance, a male and a female with
both agree on social and legal contract and involves in

each other’s life, can be define as marriage.

47
Relationship
Relationship is a link or relationship between
two or more individuals or objects.
Relationship in sociology can be categories as
adoption, marriage or fictive relationship are
all examples of kinship. Affectionate or sexual
engagement.



Conjugal-role relationship. A relationship with
different gender and has separation of roles.



Open relationship. A relationship with more

than one spouse at a time.
Segregated conjugal-role relationship. A
relationship which the marriage couple has
clear separation of duty and tolerable interest

and activity.

48

Romantic love
Romantic love is the intense emotional bond that exists between two or
more individual, most commonly used to characterise persons in a
sexual relationship. Love itself can be define as general forces that draws
people together.

Eros. It is monogamy, the fairy-tale kind of love, the physical
appearance is important in this type of love, the Eros lover will move
on to other relationship once the current relationship is fading out of
fresh and compelling.


Storage. This is a type of stable relationship. The storage type of lover
prefers stable relationship. This kind of love easily seek out from
friendship and value closeness and trust.


Ludus. People with Ludus type of love tent to treat relationship like a
game and have the urge to win. Low commitment and emotional can
be found in either on individual.


Pragma. The pragma type of love is more to logic. The Pragma lover
tend to ponder if their partner is good with money or would they
able to approach with own family and friends.


Mania. This is obsessional kind of love. Emotional can be found in
this relationship, happiness and sadness often occur makes one of
the individual over possessive.


Agape. This is a selfless relationship, a Agapic lover can be at centre
of the relationship and giving their partner everything they need.


For instance, the passionate love feeling for early love might be
different in future. But mostly the passionate love will turn into
companionate love and that will last longer.