One app for all your study abroad needs
Sociology is the study of society, which includes social relationships, interactions and culture. In NCERT Class 11 Sociology Chapter 1: Sociology and Society, students will be able to understand the society and the study of its interrelation with other factors. This blog will delve into the solutions of this chapter, which will help to understand this chapter in a simplified way.
Explore Notes of Class 11: Introducing Sociology
Exercise
1. Why do we need to use special terms and concepts in sociology?
2. As a member of society, you must be interacting with and in different groups. How do you see these groups from a sociological perspective?
3. What have you observed about the stratification system existing in your society? How are individual lives affected by stratification?
4. What is social control? Do you think the modes of social control in different spheres of society are different? Discuss.
5. Identify the different roles and status that you play and are located in. Do you think roles and status change? Discuss when and how they change.
Solutions:
1. Sociology uses special terms and concepts to provide a precise and scientific way to study and understand complex social phenomena. Unlike everyday language, which can be vague or subjective, sociological terms like social stratification, norms, or social control have specific meanings that help analyse society systematically. These concepts allow sociologists to identify patterns, compare societies, and explain social behaviour objectively. For example, the term “social group” is defined as a collection of individuals with shared goals and interactions, enabling a deeper understanding of relationships beyond casual terms like “friends.” By using these terms, sociology builds a common framework for students, researchers, and scholars to discuss and address social issues effectively.
2. From a sociological perspective, the groups I interact with, such as family, friends, or school classmates, are not just random gatherings but social groups with specific characteristics. Sociologically, a group involves regular interaction, shared goals, and a sense of identity. For instance, my family is a primary group with intimate, emotional bonds and face-to-face interactions, while my school project team is a secondary group, formal and goal-oriented. These groups shape my behaviour through norms (e.g., respecting elders in family) and roles (e.g., being a responsible student in class). Sociology helps me see how these groups influence my actions and how they are structured by broader social forces like culture or status, unlike a common-sense view that sees them as just people I know.
3. In my society, social stratification is visible through divisions based on class, caste, gender, and education. For example, wealthier individuals often have better access to quality education and healthcare, while those from lower economic backgrounds face limitations. Caste still influences opportunities in some areas, like marriage or jobs, despite legal equality. Gender stratification affects women, who may face unequal pay or societal expectations to prioritise family over careers. Stratification shapes individual lives by determining access to resources, opportunities, and social mobility. For instance, a child from a poor family may struggle to afford higher education, limiting their career prospects, while someone from a privileged background may have more choices. Sociology reveals how these inequalities are not just personal but rooted in societal structures.
4. Social control refers to the mechanisms, norms, and institutions that regulate individual and group behaviour to maintain social order. It includes formal methods (e.g., laws enforced by police) and informal methods (e.g., family expectations or peer pressure). Yes, modes of social control differ across spheres of society. In the family, informal control, like parental guidance or disapproval, shapes behaviour. In schools, formal control through rules and punishments, alongside informal peer norms, regulates students. In workplaces, formal policies like attendance rules coexist with informal pressures to conform to team culture. These differences arise because each sphere has unique goals and relationships. Sociology highlights how social control ensures conformity but varies depending on the context and power dynamics in each sphere.
5. I occupy various roles and statuses. For example, I am a student (status) with roles like attending classes and completing assignments. I am also a sibling (status) with roles like supporting my brother or sister. My status as a friend involves roles like being supportive and trustworthy. Yes, roles and status change over time. For instance, my status as a student will change to a professional when I graduate, and my roles will shift to workplace responsibilities. Roles also change with life events, like becoming a parent, which adds new responsibilities. Status can be ascribed (e.g., gender, fixed at birth) or achieved (e.g., job, earned through effort). Sociology shows that these changes are influenced by social structures, personal choices, and life stages, reflecting the dynamic nature of social life.
Related Reads
For more topics, follow LeverageEdu NCERT Study Material today!
