Humanistic Sociology - An Introduction

What is Humanistic Sociology?

Sociology is a subject of social science that deals with study and explanation of human behavior, society, its various organizations and related developments. The analysis of these helps in evaluating human actions, structure of a society and its functions. Humanistic Sociology is that part of Sociology where the study or analysis is about values that will contribute to make the world a better place to live in. Humanistic Sociology, as a division of Sociology, originated from Florian Znaniecki and W I Thomas’s jointly authored book, The Polish Peasant in Europe and America. This domain of sociology originated from the concept of anti-positivism.

The study of Sociology as an academic science helps in learning the different techniques and various methods of functioning in the society that we live in, understand and relate to the connection that is built between the forces that drive our daily life and uses scientific methods of searches that define the path to solve social and contemporary complications. Humanistic Sociology helps in exploration of these effective arrangements that will ultimate aid in making the current society a better place to live in.

In Sociology, there are not one but many conflicting approaches to explain one theory. There are many schools of thought that debate out the possibilities of its existence in the society. Out of them, structuralism and functionalism are such two competing approaches that are explained below.

Structuralism

The concept of structuralism as per Znaniecki has been derived from the sociological thoughts of the two of Sociology’s stalwarts Emile Durkheim and Max Weber, independently. Since Humanistic Sociology deals with values that are important to the society, the structuralists are known to be under the influence of this domain of sociology and explain data that are contrasting and are in proper context. Here, the need is to understand the data in the perspective of larger society and its systems. This will help in analyzing and evaluating the differences between the eras of modernism, how the societal structure has changed, divisions or fragmentation of the society been done.

Functionalism

In case of Functionalism, there is more scope of objective viewing of the society. Herein, the functionalists believe in taking route of using methods such as conducting surveys or taking interviews to derive data and arrive at concrete results. The point that should be noted here is that keeping aside the biasness noticed in the respondents. The concept of Functionalism was developed from the works of Emile Durkheim and Max Weber but witnessed a gradual decline due to Humanistic Sociology since there have been instances of growing importance of subjective thinking.

Structuralism Versus Functionalism

In case of structuralism, any person, thing or society is analyzed and evaluated by de-fragmenting its basic elements and understanding them their relation with each other. Functionalism, on the other hand, studies the various components and understands how they are integral to the society and study their contributions.

Conclusion

In case of Humanistic Sociology, it is important to understand the significance of values and other elements that contribute towards making the society a better place to live in. This also helps in understanding sociology as an academic subject and its importance in our daily lives.