Answer & Solution
Answer: Option
D
Solution:
Georg Simmel is the sociologist who stated that "the scope of sociology is the study of forms of social relationships".
He developed the concept of formal sociology, which focuses on identifying and analyzing the recurring forms of interactions—such as cooperation, competition, subordination, and exchange—regardless of the specific content or subject matter of the interaction.
Simmel believed that by studying these forms, sociology can uncover patterns that exist across different societies and situations.
This formalist approach set him apart from other sociologists who focused more on the content or purpose of social actions.
Thus, Simmel’s work directly supports the idea that sociology is concerned with the forms of social relationships.
Other Options:
Ferdinand Tönnies is best known for distinguishing between two types of social groups: Gemeinschaft (community) and Gesellschaft (society).
His focus was on the nature of social bonds—personal and intimate versus impersonal and contractual—but not specifically on the forms of relationships in the way Simmel described.
Max Weber focused on social action and the subjective meanings individuals attach to their behavior.
He emphasized understanding the motivations behind actions and the role of values, beliefs, and intentions, rather than the structural forms of social interaction.
Albion W. Small was a pioneer of American sociology and founded the first department of sociology at the University of Chicago.
While he played a key role in institutionalizing sociology as a discipline, he did not specifically define its scope in terms of studying forms of social relationships.
Therefore, among all the options, only Georg Simmel clearly articulated the view that sociology's scope lies in analyzing the forms of social relationships.
