Recent Trends in Application of Mathematics in Sociology

Abstract

Mathematics has always been used in various disciplines to solve problems. Sociology is no exception to it1. Game Theory and little known Social Network Analysis which has grown rapidly in last 35 years are highly relevant examples of contribution of Mathematics towards Sociology. For the last 60 years, sociologists have been trying to highlight the significance and application of Mathematics in explaining Sociological theories. With the advancement in society, individuals are related to each other in very complex manner. Thus task of a Sociologist to analyze a domain comprised of particular actors of the society is very difficult. A Social Scientist needs innovative sociological models and tools to explore and analyze situations in order to reach to a correct conclusion. Since inception of Modern Mathematical Sociology it has been repeatedly highlighted that mathematical concepts of Matrix, Mapping, Probability can be highly useful in mathematical and statistical modelling in a sociological theory. However no mere presentation or use of fanciful equations or mathematics can make a wrong theory right1.