UPSC Sociology 2025 Paper 1
Model Answer:
Sociology’s distinctiveness lies not merely in studying society but in its holistic perspective, relational focus, and ability to connect different levels of social reality.
Holistic and Synthesizing Approach
Unlike other social sciences focusing on specific domains, sociology examines society in its entirety:
• Economics studies markets while Political Science examines power, but sociology synthesizes all social dimensions.
• Auguste Comte envisioned it as the “queen of sciences,” integrating knowledge across disciplines.
• When studying poverty, sociology examines economic factors alongside caste, gender, education, and family structures, providing comprehensive analysis.
Focus on Social Facts and Relationships
Sociology uniquely emphasizes social structures over individual behavior:
• Emile Durkheim’s ‘social facts’ concept identifies phenomena external to individuals yet shaping their actions.
• His suicide study revealed how this personal act is influenced by social forces like integration and regulation.
• This collective focus distinguishes sociology from psychology’s individual-centered approach.
Bridging Micro-Macro Divide
C. Wright Mills’ ‘sociological imagination’ captures sociology’s unique analytical capability:
• It connects “personal troubles” (individual unemployment) with “public issues” (economic recession).
• This framework links micro-level individual agency with macro-level social structures.
• This perspective distinguishes sociology from history’s event-specific focus and psychology’s individual emphasis.
Conclusion:
Sociology’s scope is unique due to its holistic viewpoint, emphasis on social structures, and powerful framework connecting individual experiences to broader social transformations.
