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Sociology is a relatively new academic discipline .

It emerged in the early 19 th century in response to the challenges of modernity .

Increasing mobility and technological advances resulted in the increasing exposure of people to cultures and societies different from their own .

The impact of this exposure was varied , but for some people included the breakdown of traditional norms and customs and warranted a revised understanding of how the world works .

Sociologists responded to these changes by trying to understand what holds social groups together and also exploring possible solutions to the breakdown of social solidarity .

The term sociology was coined by Auguste Comte ( 1798 - 1857 ) in 1838 from the Latin term socius ( companion , associate ) and the Greek term logia ( study of , speech ) .