SOCIOLOGY

Sociology is defined as the scientific study of society and human behavior. It is a part of social
sciences. A basic study of sociology can definitely have a positive effect on our overall
development as individuals, as it enhances our understanding of people and our knowledge of the
world.

Why is it important to study Sociology in Architecture?

Sociology is an interesting subject which is very important in the study of Architecture. You
must be wondering, why is it so important?

Sociology is the study of people… Socious means people and ‘logy’ means study. You
“Architects” design spaces for the people to live in. you have the ability to create various types
of environments… which serve different purposes.

Creating something for other people depends on the person’s choice, their culture. Architects are
the masters that possess the ability to modify, transform and blend various design forms and
cultures together. But to be able to do this, study of sociology is must.

Sociologists study how people act in a society and what others do to influence them. Sociologists
need not necessarily be Architects but Architects have to be necessarily Sociologists…

Sociology is important for the student of architecture since it helps the architects understand the
culture and behavioral pattern and hence forth meet the design needs.

A student of architecture will find that sociology makes him look at the world in new ways.
Employers value graduates who are able to think critically and analytically; graduates who are
able to think differently. Studying sociology is a transformative experience as it changes the way
you think about yourself and the world around you. This enables you to become an informed,
responsible, ethically-sensitive citizen.

1. SOCIOLOGY is important because it studies society in a scientific way. Before the emergence
of sociology, there was no systematic and scientific attempt to study human society with all its
complexities. Sociology has made it possible to study society in a scientific manner. This
scientific knowledge about human society is needed in order to achieve progress in various
fields.

2. Sociology throws more light on the social nature of man. Sociology evolves deep into the
social nature of man. It tells us why man is a social animal, why he lives in groups, communities
and societies. It examines the relationship between individual and society, the impact of society
on man and other matters.

3. Sociology improves our understanding of society and increases the power of social action,
capabilities, talents and limitations. It enables him to adjust himself to the environment.
Knowledge of society, social groups, social institutions, associations, their functions etc. helps us
to lead an effective social life.

4. The study of sociology helps us to know not only our society and man but also others, their
motives, status, occupations, traditions, customs, institutions, cultures etc.

5. The contribution of sociology is not less significant in enriching culture. Sociology has given
training to us to have rational approach to questions concerning ourselves, our religion, customs,
institutions, values, ideologies etc. It has made us to become more objective, rational and critical.
The study of societies has made people to become more broad-minded. It has impressed upon its
students to overcome their prejudices-misconceptions, egoistic ambitions, and class and religious
hatreds. It has made our life richer, fuller and meaningful.

6. Another aspect of the practical side of sociology is the study of great social institutions and the
relation's of individuals of each one of them. The home and family, the school and education, the
state and government, industry and work, religion and morality, marriage and family, law and
legislation, property and government etc. are some of the main institutions, through which our
society functions. More than that, they condition our life in countless ways. Knowledge of
sociology may help to strengthen them to serve man better.

7. Sociology is useful as a teaching subject too. Sociologists, especially those trained in research
procedures, are in increasing demand in business, Government, industry, city planning, race
relations, social work, social welfare, supervision, advertising, communications, administration,
and many other areas of community life.

8. The need for the study of sociology is greater especially in underdeveloped countries.
Sociologists have now drawn the attention of economists regarding the social factors that have
contributed to the economic backwardness of a few countries. Economists have now realized the
importance of sociological knowledge in analyzing the economic affairs of country.

9. The study of society is of paramount importance in solving social problems. The present world
is best with several social problems of great magnitude like poverty, beggary, unemployment,
over population, family disorganization, community disorganization, racial problems, crime,
gambling alcoholism, youth unrest, untouchability etc. A careful analysis of these problems is
necessary in order to solve them. Sociology provides such an analysis.
10. Sociological knowledge is necessary for understanding and planning of society. Social
planning has been made easier by sociology. Sociology is often considered a vehicle of social
reform and social reorganization. It plays an important role in the reconstruction of society.

11. Study of society has helped several governments to promote the welfare of the tribal people.
Efforts are now being made to treat the tribals on par with the rest of the civilized people.

12. Sociology has drawn our attention to the intrinsic worth and dignity of man. Sociology has
been greatly responsible in changing our attitudes towards fellow human beings. It has helped
people to become catholic in outlook and broad-minded in spirit. It has made people to become
too lenient and patient towards others. It has minimized the mental distance and reduced the gap
between different peoples and communities.

13. Sociology is of great practical help in the sense; it keeps us up-to date on modern social
situations and developments. Sociology makes us to become more alert towards the changes and
developments that take place around us. As a result, we come to know about our changed roles
and expectations and responsibilities.

Applying Sociology to Life

The field of sociology has a lot of big, abstract ideas about politics, economics, and how people
grow and change over time. How do these big, abstract ideas translate into the real world and the
lives of everyday people? How do they apply to your life?

There are three specific ways that sociology can be applied to the real world, and all three ways
highlight why sociology is important to study and understand. The applications will be public
policy, social change, and personal growth.

Public Policy
Many sociologists focus their research on how the field can improve the lives of every individual
in society. This often means that people are trying to see ways that the government or public
institutions, such as schools, can change to promote equality for everyone. So, what are some
examples?

The running of public school systems is a major public policy issue

Many government lobbyists and politicians debate the role of programs such as welfare and
social security. These programs are funded by the tax dollars of every citizen in the country, but
they only benefit certain groups of people. Is it fair for those funds to go only to certain groups?
Do these groups 'deserve' this special treatment? What kinds of rules should go along with using
government money?

Another example of public policy is how public school systems are run. What happens if a
particular neighborhood is mostly made up of low-income families? That probably means that
their tax dollars won't be as high, meaning that school won't have good equipment, computers,
playground equipment, and so on. Is that fair? Should richer neighborhoods pay to increase the
education of children in poor neighborhoods because an educated population eventually benefits
the entire society? Sociologists have done studies comparing children who grew up in different
neighborhoods and went to different schools to see if this early public environment really affects
them in terms of future careers, crime rates, and so on.

These theoretical ideas are discussed by sociologists and examined in research projects.
Sociologists have many interesting ways to view these questions and often can use findings from
research studies to make their arguments stronger. What do you think about these questions?

Social Change

Next, let's talk about how sociology is applied to social change, or how societies try to improve
themselves over time. Sociology really started as a field as a result of three big changes in
European society in the 18th and 19th centuries. What were these three big changes?

First, two hundred years ago there weren't really big factories in Europe. Most people either
farmed their own land or had a small shop doing personal crafts, such as woodworking or
running a forge. These small scale-shops were the original manufacturing shops, which means to
make something by hand. However, over the last couple of centuries, societies have seen a huge
increase in industrialized factories that mass-produce items. Sociology studies how big
changes like this affect people. Factories completely change how we shop, what jobs are
available, and the number of people who have a boss at work instead of owning their own
business.
Sociologists study the social effects of the Industrial Revolution

The second big social change relevant to sociology is the change from people mostly living in
rural areas, so they could run a farm, to mostly living in big cities, where they can work for
factories or big corporations. Do you live in a small town or a big city? Think about all the ways
that affects your life. It probably changes whether you live in a house or an apartment, and
whether you have a yard. What about traffic? Can you walk around at night and feel safe, or not?
Is there a bus or metro system you can take to get to and from school or work? For example,
sociology studies different crime rates in rural versus urban communities and tries to explain
why we see differences.

Finally, the third big social change that applies to sociology is political change. Sociology
studies how politics have changed over the last 200 or 300 years. In general, many societies have
shifted from a class-based system, such as one with lords versus peasants, to one in which every
person demands rights and representation. We can see two big examples of this in the American
and the French Revolutions in the 1700s. Another example is how women in the United States
worked toward earning the right to vote in the late 19th century. Sociology studies how people in
different kinds of political systems are more or less happy with their government and how they
see their country compared to others. How do you feel about your own country? Can you think
of advantages and disadvantages to the political system you have? Would you like to be involved
in political change?