Sociology: Social Sciences and Perspectives Assignment

This assignment delves into the field of sociology, exploring its distinctions from common sense and other social sciences like psychology, political science, history, and economics. It compares and contrasts sociology with these related disciplines, highlighting their areas of study and approaches to understanding human behavior. The assignment then identifies and outlines two contrasting sociological perspectives: functionalism and conflict sociology, including their main theorists and research methods. Furthermore, it applies these perspectives to analyze the institution of religion, examining their differing views on its social function and evaluating their advantages and disadvantages. Finally, the assignment considers how other sociological perspectives, such as critical sociology, interpret the role of religion in society, offering a comprehensive understanding of this complex social institution.

Running head: SOCIOLOGY AND OTHER SOCIAL SCIENCES
SOCIOLOGY AND OTHER SOCIAL SCIENCES
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note:

1SOCIOLOGY AND OTHER SOCIAL SCIENCES
Task 2
1) Identify two or more social sciences (other than sociology)
a)………Psychology………………………………………………………………
b)…………Political Science……………………………………………………………
c)………………History……………………………………………………….
d)…………………Economics…………………………………………………….
2) For each of the social sciences identified above, complete the table explaining what each
one studies. (1.2)
Social Science Areas of Study Comments
Psychology Psychology is the study of
human mid, in its basic true
sense. Though it is
regarded to be a sect of
This particular discourse is
regarded to be a sect of the
social science because one
of the prime areas of study

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social science, it has certain
characteristics of natural
science as well. Therefore,
the area of study or the
focus area of the discourse
includes the behavioural
and tee developmental
aspects of human beings,
and along with that it also
includes the clinical,
cognitive and the health of
the human beings
(Bukharin, 2013).
is the social psychology.
The social psychology
includes the social
behaviour of the human
beings and the changes in
the behaviour of the same
because of certain social
grounds and aspects
(Bukharin, 2013).
Political Science
Political Science which is
also known as Politology,
includes the political
aspects of the country as its
discourse or its focus area.
The public relations, the
aspects of public
administration, the
international and the
national relationship, are
Political science is the
study of the government
and the public relations and
the political and the public
behaviours and systems,
and all these are some parts
of the society. It includes
the ubiquitous social and
political life, and the
impacts of political life

3SOCIOLOGY AND OTHER SOCIAL SCIENCES
the ‘immediate areas of
study of the discourse. It
also includes the
constitutional policies and
the conducts of the
jurisdictions as its study
area (Bukharin, 2013).
upon the social life and
vice versa, as aits subject
matter. It also includes the
geographical expansions
and the economical
expressions and practices,
this being a social science
in its orientation (Bukharin,
2013).
History
History is the study of the
past. Therefore, this
includes everything. The
past civilizations, the social
life of the ancient
civilizations and countries.
It aims at studying the
social and human
evolution. It includes the
study of International
social life and the changes
in the political spectrum. It
also studies about the daily
life of the human beings
The basic aspect of social
science is the study of the
social lives of human
beings and the social
relationship that is existing
between them, and the
discourse of history is also
aiming at understanding
the past social life and the
social relationships and the
gradual changes that had
taken place and shaped the
present scenario. Thus,
history is considered to be

4SOCIOLOGY AND OTHER SOCIAL SCIENCES
and the changes into the
same (Bukharin, 2013).
one sect of the social
science (Bukharin, 2013).
Economics
The subject area of
economics is more
concerned about the usage
of the resources of the
world, and in doing that, it
primarily includes the
financial grounds. The
study area of economics is
primarily interested in the
patterns of consumption
and production, as well as
the distribution of the
resources among the
individuals and
organizations (Bukharin,
2013).
The study of Economics
includes am understanding
of history, politics,
sociology, geography and
the like, in order to
understand the patterns of
consumptions and to
understand the changes in
these patterns of
consumption, production
and distribution, this being
a social science by nature
(Bukharin, 2013).
3) Compare and contrast sociology with the other social sciences you have identified? (1.2)
Sociology and Psychology Both includes the study of the
social behaviour of
Psychology is essentially
concerned about human

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individuals. minds, while sociology
includes an all pervasive
nature.
Sociology and Economics Both are involved with social
resources and the needs of the
individuals.
Economics essentially deals
with the financial aspects of
human life, while sociology
includes an all pervasive
nature.
Sociology and Political
Science
Both includes the study of the
socio- political relationship
existing within the social
structure.
Political science is essentially
involved with political
aspects of the social life,
while sociology includes an
all pervasive nature.
Sociology and History Both are concerned about the
gradual social changes that
had taken place.
History essentially deals with
the past happenings and past
experiences, while sociology
includes an all pervasive
nature.
Task 3

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1) Identify two contrasting sociological perspectives (2.1)
a)……………Functionalism…………
b)………Conflict Sociology……….
2) Outline each of the perspectives (listed above) (2.1)
You may wish to include the main theorists, the type (structure or action, macro or micro,
positivist or interpretivist, etc) of sociology, the main research methods used, etc.
a) Perspective One
The functionalist perspective is a part of the macro sociology, and looks at society as a complex
system whereby, if one part fails to work the other part must function properly, and this
particular topic provides special importance to the aspects of solidarity (Turner, 2017).
b) Perspective Two
The conflict sociology has essentially stemmed from the theory of Marx, and its states
that there is a continuous conflict within the social structure, and this continuous conflict
gradually paves the way to change. This perspective of sociology had first discussed and
introduced the concept of change Healey, Stepnick, and O'Brien, 2018).

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Task 4
1) Using the two perspectives (above), explain their views on the institution of religion
(3.1)
a) Perspective One:
One of the greatest functionalist sociologists of all time, Emile Durkheim had opined that
religion has a great role in making the society and keeping it together. The functionalists
believe that religion is a tool of solidarity as it provides a basic ground to the individuals
to come together and practice religious conducts. It creates a bond among the individuals
(Turner, 2017).
b) Perspective Two:
According to the conflict sociologists religion breaks up a society, and it is tool for the
people in the power to exploit the other section of the society. According to Marx,
religion is the opium of the mass and it is with this tool, there are generated false notions
and ideas among the mass, and thereupon, they are exploited by those in power (Healey,
Stepnick, and O'Brien, 2018).
2) Evaluate the two perspectives’ views on the institution of religion (3.1)
Perspective One: Advantages Disadvantages

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Functionalism  There are
similarities between
the human body and
the society, and
there is an effective
communication
amongst all the parts
of the society, thus
creating and
marinating the
concept of society.
 Human beings are
social animal, and
the needs are
fulfilled by the
social resources.
 Provides a
consensus among
the people, and
helps in maintaining
the social order
o The concept is
somewhat
unscientific as it
does not consider
the aspect of social
change.
o It justifies the
positions and the
practices of
powerful people.
o In wanting to
maintain the social
order it denies the
human psychology
(Furseth, and
Repstad, 2017).

9SOCIOLOGY AND OTHER SOCIAL SCIENCES
(Furseth, and
Repstad, 2017).
Perspective Two: Advantages Disadvantages
Conflict Sociology
 It seeks
emancipation from
the false notion of
universality.
 It justly points out
the exploitations
made within the
society.
 It first talked about
the concept of social
change (Beckford,
2019).
 The ultimate goals
of conflict
sociology to
observed social
equality and equity
which is utopian in
its nature.
 It provides too
much importance to
the exploitation and
domination
(Beckford, 2019).

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3) Evaluate each of these views of religion using other sociological perspectives
(3.1)
The aspects of religion is essentially described by the functional and the conflict school of
thought, however, other than this the critical school of thought has also talked about
sociology of religion. According to the conflict sociology, religion is just another way of
establishing capitalism within the core of the society, as it uses the belief of the individuals
and thus, it gets marketed (Hjelm, 2014). However, religion is also a way of expressing
oneself, according to this sect of sociology.
Reference List

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Beckford, J.A., 2019. Religion and advanced industrial society. Routledge.
Bukharin, N., 2013. Historical materialism: A system of sociology. Routledge.
Furseth, I. and Repstad, P., 2017. An introduction to the sociology of religion: classical and
contemporary perspectives. Routledge.
Healey, J.F., Stepnick, A. and O'Brien, E., 2018. Race, ethnicity, gender, and class: The
sociology of group conflict and change. Sage Publications.
Hjelm, T., 2014. Religion, discourse and power: A contribution towards a critical sociology of
religion. Critical Sociology, 40(6), pp.855-872.
Turner, J.H., 2017. Functionalism. The Wiley‐Blackwell Encyclopedia of Social Theory, pp.1-9.
Weber, M., 2017. Methodology of social sciences. Routledge.