Sociological Approach

Society

A group of individuals living together in a defined territory, sharing a culture, and organized by social institutions like family, education, religion, economy, and government.

Social Structure

The organized pattern of social relationships and institutions comprising roles, norms, and hierarchies influencing individual and group behavior.

Socialization

The process of learning societal values, beliefs, norms, and roles throughout life, with primary socialization in childhood and secondary socialization later on.

Structural Functionalism

Views society as a complex system with parts working together to maintain stability and social order, emphasizing social institutions' functions.

Conflict Theory

Focuses on power differentials and social inequalities, highlighting conflicts arising from disparities and driven by class struggles and power dynamics.

Symbolic Interactionism

Examines everyday interactions and symbols shaping social reality, emphasizing individual agency and subjective meanings.

Feminist Theory

Analyzes gender inequalities, advocates for gender equality, and explores intersections of gender with race, class, and sexuality.

Postmodernism

Questions grand narratives, emphasizes the dynamic nature of social reality, and focuses on power and knowledge construction and deconstruction.

Quantitative Methods

Involves numerical data collection and analysis, useful for identifying patterns and making generalizations about large populations.

Qualitative Methods

Focuses on understanding meanings and experiences through techniques like interviews, participant observation, and content analysis.

Mixed Methods

Combines quantitative and qualitative approaches for a comprehensive understanding of social phenomena, allowing for triangulation and validation through multiple perspectives.

Social Policy and Planning

Informs policy development addressing social issues and their impact on different social groups.

Education

Examines education's role in socialization, stratification, and mobility, analyzing inequalities and advocating for inclusive practices.

Healthcare

Studies social determinants of health, healthcare systems' impact on populations, and addresses access, equity, and social dimensions of illness.

Criminology

Explores social causes and consequences of crime, evaluates criminal justice policies, and interventions' effectiveness.

Work and Organizations

Analyzes workplace dynamics, organizational culture, and globalization's impact on labor markets, investigating issues like segregation, discrimination, and labor relations.