sociology

Sociology

(noun)

The study of society, human social interaction, and the rules and processes that bind and separate people, not only as individuals, but as members of associations, groups, and institutions

Related Terms

Psychology

(noun)

The study of society, social interaction, and social institutions (e.g., schools, prisons, etc.), as well as the rules and processes that bind and separate people as members of groups, associations, and institutions.

Related Terms

Examples of sociology in the following topics:

  • Sociological Videos

    • The following are videos - including fiction movies, non-fiction documentaries and recorded lectures - examining topics in the field of sociology.
    • See this link for a sortable table of sociological videos: http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Introduction_to_Sociology/Sociological_Videos

  • Forms of Sociological Practice

    • While there remains considerable debate within sociology about the best function or purpose of sociological practice, three primary approaches provide the foundational cues for contemporary sociological practice.
    • Despite the fact that each of these views has been evident within sociological practices throughout the history of the discipline (as well as within and between other academic disciplines), they have become the source of heated debates throughout the last three decades.
    • Rather than taking sides in these debates, we thus provide introductory descriptions of these three major approaches to sociological practice, and encourage students to consider the pros and cons of each approach.

  • Conflict Theory

  • The Postmodernist Perspective

  • Kohlberg and Moral Development

  • Fails

  • Famous Sociologists

    • See this link for a sortable table of famous sociologists: http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Introduction_to_Sociology/Famous_Sociologists

  • Sociology Today

    • Contemporary sociology does not have a single overarching foundation—it has varying methods, both qualitative and quantitative.
    • Although sociology emerged from Comte's vision of a discipline that would subsume all other areas of scientific inquiry, that was the future of sociology.
    • However, a number of broad paradigms cover much modern sociological theorizing.
    • Analytical sociology is an ongoing effort to systematize many of these middle-range theories.
    • Describe how the discipline of sociology has expanded since its foundation

  • Sociology Majors

    • Thus, there is no particular "personality type" among sociology majors.
    • The average graduating sociology major is a young female (early 20s) who is white and single.
    • Less than half of the parents of sociology majors have baccalaureate degrees of their own.
    • In other words, sociology majors find the discipline exciting and challenging and generally enjoy studying sociology.
    • Sociology majors are generally satisfied overall with their experience earning a sociology degree.

  • Sociology Today

    • Although sociology emerged from Comte's vision of a discipline that would subsume all other areas of scientific inquiry, that was not to be the future of sociology.
    • Far from replacing the other sciences, sociology has taken its place as a particular perspective for investigating human social life.
    • In the past, sociological research focused on the organization of complex, industrial societies and their influence on individuals.
    • In response, many sociology departments around the world are now encouraging multi-cultural research.
    • The next two chapters in this book will introduce the reader to more extensive discussions of the methods and theory employed in sociology.