If you’re considering entering the field of sociology, you’re likely curious about people and human nature and have often found yourself asking, “Why do you do what you do?” If curiosity is calling, then your search has likely led you to this next question: What is sociology?
In this guide, we will take a deep dive into not only what sociology is but also the fundamentals of the field, key theories you need to know, and the sociology terms you’ll need to put in your back pocket for the next time you assess a social situation.
What Is Sociology?
Sociology is the study of social life, social change, and the social causes and consequences of human behavior, according to the American Sociological Association (ASA). Sociology is a social science that uses empirical research methods to study social phenomena and human interaction. Empirical research is based on observation or experience instead of theory or logic.
Sociology aims to understand how societies are organized, how they change over time, and how they affect individuals and groups. Sociologists examine the relationships between individuals, groups, and institutions, and how these relationships shape the way people think, feel, and act.
Sociology focuses on a wide range of social phenomena, including social inequality, race and ethnicity, gender and sexuality, social institutions, and social change. Sociologists use different research methods to study these phenomena, including surveys, interviews, observations, and experiments. They also use statistical analysis to examine patterns and trends in social behavior and relationships.
Sociology is the study of human social behavior, relationships, and institutions. Sociologists study how people interact with each other, how social relationships are organized, and how social institutions shape our lives. Sociologists examine a wide range of social phenomena, including social inequality, race and ethnicity, gender and sexuality, social institutions, and social change. The ASA further explains the field:
“Sociologists investigate the structure of groups, organizations, and societies and how people interact within these contexts. Since all human behavior is social, the subject matter of sociology ranges from the intimate family to the hostile mob; from organized crime to religious traditions; from the divisions of race, gender, and social class to the shared beliefs of a common culture.”
As you can see, sociologists are interested in understanding how social structures and institutions shape our lives, how social change occurs, and how individuals and groups respond to social change. They’re also interested in how social inequality is created and perpetuated and how it affects individuals and groups. By studying these social phenomena, sociologists seek to understand the complex ways in which societies function and how they impact people’s lives.
What Are the Core Components of Sociology?
Now that you’ve gotten a basis of understanding for sociology, let’s get started on its core components. According to Sociology Group, there are seven fundamental concepts you should know about the field of sociology. These building blocks are the basic concepts, theories, and methods used to study human society and social behavior. The components include:
- Society: Sociology is the study of human society, including how it’s organized, how it changes over time, and how it influences individuals and groups.
- Social structure: Social structure refers to the patterns of relationships, roles, and institutions that shape social behavior and relationships. This includes the family, education system, government, and other social institutions.
- Social interaction: Social interaction is the process through which individuals communicate and interact with each other, shaping social behavior and relationships.
- Culture: Culture refers to the shared beliefs, values, customs, and practices that characterize a society or group.
- Socialization: Socialization is the process through which individuals learn the norms, values, and customs of their society or group.
- Social inequality: Social inequality refers to the unequal distribution of resources, opportunities, and power among different social groups.
- Social change: Social change is the process through which society changes over time, either gradually or through sudden upheaval.
In addition to these components, sociology also involves various research methods and techniques, including quantitative and qualitative research, surveys, interviews, and observations. These methods are used to collect and analyze data about social phenomena and behavior, and to test sociological theories and hypotheses.
Overall, these core components of sociology provide a framework for understanding human society and behavior, and for analyzing the various factors that shape social relationships and institutions. By studying sociology, we can gain insights into the complexities of human society and develop a deeper understanding of the social issues and challenges facing individuals and groups today.
Sociology is a social science that studies human social behavior, relationships, and institutions. It is the study of how humans interact with each other, how they organize themselves into groups, and how those groups shape the world around them. Sociologists use research methods to study different social phenomena — such as race, gender, class, and inequality — to understand how they operate and how they impact people’s lives. Later in this guide, we’ll explore the fundamentals of sociology, including its founders, theories, and common terms.
What’s a Sociology Theory?
In sociology, a theory is a set of ideas or concepts that explains social phenomena, according to Lumen Learning. Sociological theories are used to make sense of the complex social world and to understand how social structures and institutions shape our lives. Sociological theories help us to understand the underlying causes of social phenomena and to identify patterns and trends in social behavior and relationships.
Because sociology is a discipline that aims to study and explain human behavior and social interactions, sociologists use various theoretical frameworks to understand and interpret social phenomena. These frameworks are called sociological theories, and they’re based on different assumptions about the nature of society and causes of social behavior.
Macro-level theories are concerned with the broader social structures and institutions that shape society, Lumen Learning elucidates. They seek to explain how social institutions — such as the economy, the state, and the family — influence social behavior and determine social outcomes. These theories are often based on the idea that society operates according to certain rules and patterns, and these rules and patterns can be studied and understood.
Micro-level theories, on the other hand, focus on individual behavior and the interactions between individuals and small groups. These theories seek to explain how social behavior is shaped by social interactions, and how individuals make sense of their social world. Micro-level theories often emphasize the importance of socialization, culture, and identity in shaping social behavior.
Sociological theories are constantly evolving as sociologists continue to study and analyze social phenomena. New theories are developed to account for changes in society and to address new questions and problems. Theories are tested through empirical research, which involves collecting and analyzing data to test the validity of a theory. If a theory is found to be inaccurate or incomplete, it may be revised or discarded.
Overall, sociological theories are essential tools for understanding the complexities of social life. They help us identify patterns and trends in social behavior and help explain why people behave the way they do. As society continues to evolve, sociological theories will continue to be refined and updated to help us better understand the world around us.
Who Are the Founders of Sociology and What Are the Two Core Commitments?
The following six people are largely considered the founders of sociology — Karl Marx, Max Weber, Emile Durkheim, George Herbert Mead, Jane Addams, and W.E.B. Du Bois — making significant contributions to the development of sociology as a discipline. According to the Founders and Foundations of Sociology, these six founders contributed to the two core commitments of sociology, which are:
1. Understanding social structure: The first core commitment of sociology is to understand social structure. Social structure refers to the patterns of relationships, roles, and institutions that shape social behavior and relationships. All the founders of sociology focused on understanding social structure in their work.
Karl Marx was concerned with the role of economic factors in shaping social relationships and institutions. He developed the theory of historical materialism, which holds that economic factors determine the structure of society. He believed class struggle was the primary driver of social change, and the overthrow of capitalism was necessary to achieve a classless society.
Max Weber was interested in the role of authority and bureaucracy in shaping social structure. He believed rationalization was a key characteristic of modern society and bureaucracy was a powerful force that could lead to both efficiency and alienation.
Emile Durkheim was concerned with the role of social norms and values in shaping social structure. He believed that social order could only be maintained through shared beliefs and practices, and social integration was essential for a stable society. He also developed the concept of social solidarity — the degree of cohesion and cooperation among members of a society.
2. Understanding social action: The second core commitment of sociology is to understand social action, which refers to the behavior of individuals and groups in social contexts. The founders of sociology all sought to understand social action in their work.
George Herbert Mead was interested in how individuals interact with one another and how social roles and institutions shape social behavior. He developed the concept of the “social self,” which refers to the process through which individuals develop a sense of themselves as social beings through social interactions and relationships.
Jane Addams was concerned with the social issues facing marginalized groups, particularly immigrants and the poor. She believed in the importance of social reform and the role of social work in addressing social problems.
W.E.B. Du Bois was interested in the experiences of African Americans and the role of race in shaping social relationships and institutions. He believed racism was a key factor in social inequality and that it was necessary to challenge racial discrimination and promote social justice.
The founders of sociology carried out the two core commitments of the discipline by seeking to understand social structure and social action. Through their work, they made significant contributions to the development of sociology, and their ideas continue to influence research and thinking in sociology today.
What Are the Main Sociological Theories?
There are several main sociological theories used to explain social phenomena. These theories can be broadly categorized into three paradigms: Structural Functionalism, Social Conflict Theory, and Symbolic Interactionism.
1. Structural Functionalism
Structural functionalism, says Britannica.com, is a macro-level theory that focuses on how social institutions and structures work together to maintain social stability and order. This theory suggests that each part of society has a function, and society functions best when each part is working together to achieve its function. Structural functionalism emphasizes the importance of social institutions — such as the family, the economy, and the education system — in maintaining social order.
The structural functionalism theory posits that social institutions perform vital functions, which contribute to the overall well-being and stability of society. These functions can be either manifest or latent. Manifest functions are the intended consequences of social institutions, while latent functions are unintended consequences. For instance, the manifest function of the education system is to impart knowledge and skills to individuals. The latent function of the education system, on the other hand, is to sort individuals based on their abilities and social status.
The structural functionalism theory has been criticized for being too conservative and maintaining the status quo. It’s argued that this theory assumes all parts of society work together harmoniously, and that social change isn’t necessary for society to function effectively. Critics of the theory also point out it tends to neglect the experiences and perspectives of individuals and small groups, focusing instead on the big picture.
Despite its limitations, the structural functionalism theory has contributed significantly to the field of sociology. It has helped researchers understand how social institutions work together to maintain social order and stability and has provided insights into the functions of various social institutions, such as the family, the economy, and the education system. As sociologists continue to develop and refine sociological theories, it’s likely the structural functionalism theory will continue to play an important role in our understanding of social life.
What’s a Real-life Example of Structural Functionalism?
A real-life example of structural functionalism can be observed in the operation of a hospital, for example. A hospital is an example of a complex social institution made up of various interdependent parts — including doctors, nurses, administrative staff, and medical equipment. Each of these parts has a specific function that contributes to the overall functioning of the hospital.
In this example, doctors and nurses are responsible for providing medical care to patients. The administrative staff is responsible for managing the hospital’s finances, scheduling appointments, and coordinating patient care. The medical equipment is used to diagnose and treat patients.
In a hospital, each of these parts must work together effectively for the hospital to function properly. If any part of the hospital system fails to perform its function, it can lead to disruptions in patient care and a decline in the hospital’s overall performance. Thus, the hospital operates as a system where each part has a specific role to play in maintaining the overall stability and functioning of the hospital.
This example demonstrates how the structural functionalism theory can be used to analyze and understand how complex social institutions work. The theory helps us to understand how different parts of a social institution are interdependent and how they contribute to the overall functioning of that institution.
2. Social Conflict Theory
Turning to Study.com, social conflict theory is a macro-level theory that emphasizes the role of conflict in shaping society. This theory suggests that society is not harmonious, but rather is characterized by competition and conflict between different social groups. Social conflict theory emphasizes the role of power in shaping social relationships and institutions and suggests that social change occurs when one group successfully challenges the power of another.
According to social conflict theory, power is unequally distributed in society, with some groups having more power than others. This unequal distribution of power leads to conflicts between different social groups, such as the rich and poor, men and women, one race and another, or one ethnic group and another. These conflicts arise because the dominant group seeks to maintain its power and privileges while the subordinate group seeks to gain power and achieve greater social equality.
Social conflict theory has been used to explain a wide range of social phenomena, including economic inequality, political revolution, and social movements. For instance, the theory suggests economic inequality arises because the dominant group seeks to maintain its economic power by exploiting the labor of the subordinate group. Social conflict theory also suggests political revolutions occur when subordinate groups challenge the power of the dominant group, leading to a change in the political system.
Social conflict theory has been criticized for being too focused on conflict and power, and for neglecting the role of cooperation and consensus in shaping society. Critics of the theory also argue it’s too deterministic, assuming that social change is always the result of conflict and competition between different groups.
Although it has its criticisms, the theory has contributed significantly to the field of sociology. It has helped researchers to understand how power and conflict shape social relationships and institutions, and how social change occurs. As sociologists continue to develop and refine sociological theories, it’s likely that the social conflict theory will continue to play an important role in our understanding of social life.
What’s a Real-life Example of Social Conflict Theory?
An example of social conflict theory can be observed in the workplace, notes Investopedia, specifically in the form of labor strikes — a form of collective action by workers who are seeking better wages, benefits, and working conditions. Strikes occur when workers and their employers are unable to reach an agreement on these issues, leading to a breakdown in the employment relationship.
In a labor strike, the workers are the subordinate group, while the employers are the dominant group. The workers seek to gain power and achieve greater social equality by challenging the power and control of their employers. The employers, on the other hand, seek to maintain their power and control over the workplace by resisting the demands of the workers.
During a labor strike, the conflict between workers and employers can lead to disruptions in the workplace and the broader economy. However, strikes can also lead to social change by forcing employers to negotiate with workers and make concessions. In this way, labor strikes can be seen as a form of social conflict that challenges the power and control of the dominant group, leading to greater social equality and justice for workers.
This example illustrates how social conflict theory can be applied to understand and analyze a wide range of social phenomena. The theory helps us understand how power and conflict shape social relationships and institutions in various contexts, including the workplace.
3. Symbolic Interactionism
Symbolic interactionism, according to Science Direct, is a micro-level theory that emphasizes the role of symbols, language, and communication in shaping social behavior and relationships. This theory suggests people interpret and give meaning to their experiences through shared symbols and language and social interactions are shaped by these interpretations.
Symbolic interactionism is often used to understand how individuals interact with one another in various social contexts. This theory suggests people engage in a process of “meaning-making,” in which they interpret and give meaning to their experiences based on their interactions with others. According to symbolic interactionism, individuals use symbols and language to create shared meanings and understandings, and these meanings shape their behavior and relationships with others.
Symbolic interactionism has been applied to a wide range of social phenomena, including communication, culture, and identity. For instance, the theory suggests communication is not simply a matter of transmitting information from one person to another, but rather it’s a process of shared meaning-making. In this way, communication is shaped by the symbols and language that individuals use to interpret and give meaning to their experiences.
Symbolic interactionism also helps us understand how culture shapes individual behavior and identity. According to this theory, culture provides individuals with a set of symbols and meanings that shape their behavior and sense of self. These symbols and meanings are communicated through various social institutions, such as the family, the education system, and the media.
Strong in some ways, symbolic interactionism is not without its drawbacks. The theory has been criticized for its focus on individual agency and interpretation and for neglecting the role of social structures and institutions in shaping behavior and relationships. Critics of the theory argue that it overlooks the ways in which social structures and institutions constrain and shape individual behavior and that it fails to account for the broader social and historical contexts in which interactions take place.
What’s a Real-life Example of Symbolic Interactionism?
A real-life example of symbolic interactionism can be seen in the way people use language to create and reinforce social norms and identities. For instance, consider the use of language within a particular social group, such as a group of friends. Members of this group might use certain words or phrases unique to their group that carry specific meanings and connotations. These shared symbols and meanings help to create a sense of group identity and belonging.
Symbolic interactionism also helps us to understand the role of symbols and language in creating and reinforcing social hierarchies and power dynamics. For example, consider the way certain forms of language — such as slang or dialects, memes, or gifs — are stigmatized and associated with certain social groups. This stigmatization can reinforce social hierarchies and contribute to the marginalization of certain groups.
Another example of symbolic interactionism can be seen in the way individuals use clothing and fashion to create and communicate their identities. The clothes we wear carry symbolic meaning and can convey information about our social status, our interests, and our identities. For instance, someone who wears designer clothing might be perceived as wealthy or fashion-conscious, while someone who wears ripped jeans and a T-shirt might be seen as more laid-back or rebellious.
These examples illustrate how symbolic interactionism can be applied to understand the role of symbols, language, and communication in shaping social behavior and relationships in everyday life. The theory helps us understand how individuals use symbols and language to create shared meanings and identities, and how these meanings shape our behavior and relationships with others.
In addition to Structural Functionalism, Social Conflict Theory, and Symbolic Interactionism, there are several other sociological theories that are used to explain social phenomena. Some examples include feminist theory, critical race theory, and postmodernism, which are focused on specific social phenomena — such as gender and race — and offer unique perspectives on how these phenomena shape social behavior and relationships.
What Are Common Sociology Terms?
There are several common sociology terms used to describe the social phenomena and relationships around us. Let’s take a look at some you’ll likely hear most often as you enter into the field of sociology:
- Social stratification: The division of society into different social classes or groups based on factors such as income, education, or occupation
- Culture: The shared values, beliefs, and customs that characterize a society or group
- Norms: The unwritten rules and expectations that govern social behavior
- Deviance: Behavior that violates social norms or expectations
- Socialization: The process through which individuals learn the values, beliefs, and customs of their society or group
- Gender: The socially constructed roles, behaviors, and expectations associated with being male or female
- Race: A socially constructed category based on physical characteristics such as skin color
- Ethnicity: A socially constructed category based on cultural factors such as language, religion, and customs
- Social institutions: Structures or organizations in society that fulfill important functions such as the family, education system, and government
- Socialization agents: The individuals or institutions that shape our socialization and help us learn the norms and values of our society or group, such as parents, teachers, and peers
- Social constructionism: The idea that social phenomena are constructed through social processes and interactions, rather than being inherent or natural
- Social change: The process through which society changes over time, either gradually or through sudden upheaval
- Globalization: The increasing interconnectedness of societies and cultures around the world, facilitated by advances in technology and transportation
- Power: The ability to influence or control the behavior of others, often through the use of resources or authority
- Authority: Legitimate power recognized and accepted by society or a group
- Social capital: The social networks, relationships, and connections individuals and groups can use to gain advantages and resources
These are just a few examples of the many terms used in sociology to describe and analyze social phenomena. By understanding these terms and concepts, we can gain a better understanding of the social structures and relationships that shape our lives, as well as the social changes that are taking place around us.
Overview: What Is Sociology?
Sociology is a fascinating field of study that provides unique insights into the workings of society and human behavior. By examining social structures and interactions, and analyzing patterns of inequality and power, sociology helps us to better understand the complex dynamics of the world around us. The key concepts and theories of sociology offer valuable tools for addressing contemporary social issues such as poverty, discrimination, and globalization.
Whether you’re a student considering a degree in sociology or simply interested in society and its complexities, learning the basics of this discipline is a great starting point for exploring this important field. By understanding the basics of sociology, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the role that social science plays in shaping our understanding of the world and the many challenges we face.
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