Why do we need to use special terms and concepts in sociology?
Sociology needs special terms and concepts because its subject matter is familiar to us. Unlike disciplines like nuclear physics that deal with matters unknown to most people, sociology deals with social institutions that surround us daily. Because we are so well acquainted with these institutions, we cannot see them clearly and precisely without special terminology.
These concepts serve as tools to understand reality. They act as keys to open locks to understand society and are entry points in our understanding, not the final answer. Concepts like status, role, social control, and stratification help us classify and analyze social phenomena systematically.
Different sociologists use different concepts to understand society. For instance, Karl Marx used class and conflict as key concepts, while Emile Durkheim emphasized social solidarity and collective conscience. These special terms help us see beyond our everyday familiarity with social institutions.
Explanation
The textbook explains that terminology is particularly important for sociology precisely because its subject matter IS familiar - we are so surrounded by social institutions that we take them for granted and cannot see them clearly. Berger (1976:25) is cited to support this point. The context also emphasizes that concepts are 'tools' and 'keys to open locks' - they are analytical instruments, not final answers. Additionally, the text shows how different sociological thinkers (Marx, Durkheim) developed different key concepts to understand society, demonstrating the need for specialized terminology.