In what year was the term "sociology" coined? a. 1776 b. 1838 c. 1895 d. 1901
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b. 1838
The term "sociology" was coined by the French philosopher and sociologist Auguste Comte in 1838. The word sociology is derived from the Latin word 'socius', meaning 'companion' or 'associate', and the Greek word 'logos', meaning 'study' or 'science'. Thus, sociology refers to the study of society, social relationships, and social behavior.
Auguste Comte is considered as one of the founders of sociology and he proposed the use of scientific methods to study and understand society. He believed that just like natural sciences (such as physics, chemistry, and biology) study natural phenomena, sociology should study social phenomena with the same scientific rigor.
Sociology seeks to analyze and describe the structure and dynamics of societies and their complex interactions. The subject provides insight into social systems and processes that govern human behavior, such as cultural norms, institutions, social conflict, social stratification, among others. As a social science, sociology uses various research methods, including surveys, observations, interviews, and historical analysis, to understand social patterns and offer solutions to social problems.