t typically observe and explain types of interactions which take place between individuals. So to include this idea of social interaction in any definition of sociology is helpful.However the inclusion of social interaction does not establish sociology's distinctiveness when it is considered alongside, for example psychology. Psychology, just like sociology, also involves the study of human interaction. There may be a way of differentiating sociology. We could suggest that whereas Psychology studies human interaction of individuals; sociology studies the interaction that occurs within and between social groups. In this sense sociology would be described as a subject that places individuals in their social context as members of social groups, communities and as members of social institutions such as work or their place within a family or again their position within an educational institution. Psychology on the other hand appears to examine individuals as solitary and somewhat isolated beings. Indeed one might formalise the differences of approach by suggesting that psychology takes as its starting point the individual whereas sociology begins with the idea of the wider social networks and societies within which individuals are to be found. This idea falls in nicely with the widespread perception of sociology as being a subject which takes 'the wider context' or 'the wider picture' into account and seeks to place individuals into that wider social framework. We have done well thus far: We have begun to distinguish sociology as a social science, furthermore we have already amassed a number of key terms associated with sociology.So far we have a number of components of a definition:Human/HumanityIndividualsInteractionPeopleSocial GroupsSociety.We have also noted a number of key ideas within sociology:CultureCommunityEducationFamilySocial InstitutionSocial NetworkWork But as if to exasperate you let me again ask you to consider that what...
