What is Sociology?

Broadly defined, sociology is the study of society, which includes groups, cultures, and social institutions. Through various social theories and research methods, sociologists examine a wide range of topics including:

  • Culture: The values, norms, and practices that define a society and its members' actions
  • Socialization: The process by which we learn to become members of society
  • Social Institutions: The organizations that bring order to society (e.g., religion and family)
  • Deviance: The people and the actions that violate social norms and the ways in which we react to these violations and violators
  • Groups: The different ways in which people define themselves and are defined by others in society (e.g., gender and race)
  • Social Change: How societies and their cultures change over time, particularly through the influence of technology and social movements