Introduction
to Sociology
What is Sociology?
“The scientific study of human social life, groups
and society”
Sociology refers to the study of our own
behaviour on a micro (family), meso
(community) and macro (national) level.
It allows us to see that many events that
seem to concern only the individual, reflect
larger issues.
Social Structure
“The organised set of social institutions and
patterns of institutionalised relationships that
compose society”
The world is largely socially constructed
They are social behaviours that reflect a
person’s social environment shaped by social
context
Our social context is made up of our class,
race, gender, sexuality, socio-economic
, factors, social cultural and political and
economic systems
Health
“State of complete physical, mental and social
well-being and not merely the absence of disease
or infirmity”
Medical system should include social
solutions as patterns of disease and lifestyle
are both related to social aspects
Disease: ‘pathological changes’ in which
internal functioning of the body as a
biological organism is impaired resulting in
different signs and symptoms; physical
concept
Illness: ‘phenomenological’ or ‘psychological’
concept linked to the individual
Sickness: a ‘social condition’ that are applies
to people who are deemed by others to be
sick or diseased
Health is a SOCIAL phenomenon because
It is a part of social life which implies a
connection which an individual holds with
others in the society
Social interaction itself may put individuals at
risk of communicable disease
Social context has impact on health-seeking
behaviour; symptoms are perceived
differently and the decision-making to what,
if any, kind of treatment
to Sociology
What is Sociology?
“The scientific study of human social life, groups
and society”
Sociology refers to the study of our own
behaviour on a micro (family), meso
(community) and macro (national) level.
It allows us to see that many events that
seem to concern only the individual, reflect
larger issues.
Social Structure
“The organised set of social institutions and
patterns of institutionalised relationships that
compose society”
The world is largely socially constructed
They are social behaviours that reflect a
person’s social environment shaped by social
context
Our social context is made up of our class,
race, gender, sexuality, socio-economic
, factors, social cultural and political and
economic systems
Health
“State of complete physical, mental and social
well-being and not merely the absence of disease
or infirmity”
Medical system should include social
solutions as patterns of disease and lifestyle
are both related to social aspects
Disease: ‘pathological changes’ in which
internal functioning of the body as a
biological organism is impaired resulting in
different signs and symptoms; physical
concept
Illness: ‘phenomenological’ or ‘psychological’
concept linked to the individual
Sickness: a ‘social condition’ that are applies
to people who are deemed by others to be
sick or diseased
Health is a SOCIAL phenomenon because
It is a part of social life which implies a
connection which an individual holds with
others in the society
Social interaction itself may put individuals at
risk of communicable disease
Social context has impact on health-seeking
behaviour; symptoms are perceived
differently and the decision-making to what,
if any, kind of treatment
