An Overview of the Sociology of Life Course The Sociology of Life Course is a new paradigm in behavioral sciences, and was not developed until the 1990s, when rapid social change and aging populations brought attention to the complexities of family processes and historical influences. It has grown in recent years, with advances in statistical… Continue reading An Overview of the Sociology of Life Course

Theories in the Sociology of Crime There are many theories about crime and criminal behavior, but one theory in particular stands out. Becker argues that crime is a rational choice, much like economic behavior. Just as individuals weigh the costs of goods and services against their utility, they also weigh the benefits and costs of… Continue reading Theories in the Sociology of Crime

The Sociology of Poverty The sociology of poverty has many strands. Some studies focus on social class and gender biases, while others examine cyclical poverty. Whether an individual’s situation is a result of his or her own personal efforts, a sociology of poverty can help identify the root causes of poor conditions. Listed below are… Continue reading The Sociology of Poverty

Symbolic Interactionism Symbolic Interactionism is a theory of human behavior that focuses on the observable face-to-face interactions between individuals. These theories reject social behaviorism and emphasize the self as a construct arising from the interactive process of joining action. Symbolic interactionism aims to understand the social world more fully and explain the psychological mechanisms underlying… Continue reading Symbolic Interactionism

A Guide to Sociological Theory Sociological Theory can be confusing, so here is a quick guide to some of the most common terms. These terms include Structure, Agency, Symbolic interactionism, and Motivation. These terms may not be familiar to all people, but they’re useful concepts to understand. To get a better grasp, consider reading this… Continue reading A Guide to Sociological Theory

The Theory of Social Constructionism In the last few decades, there has been a rise in interest in social constructs, or theories that make people think. One such theory is Social Constructionism, which develops these ideas through a social role project. These theories are broadly explanatory, and have broad application to human phenomena. They include… Continue reading The Theory of Social Constructionism

The Sociology of Health and Illness The Sociology of Health and Illness’ focus is on how the sociological aspects of health and illness can affect the quality of health care and treatment. Social constructs of health A sociological view of illness suggests that we create illnesses based on our own culture’s definitions. Despite the fact… Continue reading The Sociology of Health and Illness

Moral Panic and Its Consequences As the numbers and ramifications of child sexual abuse and crime rise, the phenomenon of Moral Panic is likely to grow in importance. The phenomenon has been around for a few decades, and was exacerbated by the Albert Fish crimes, which included murder, mutilation, and cannibalism. These crimes fueled the… Continue reading Moral Panic and Its Consequences

The Sociology of Aging Originally a social science, the sociology of aging is now a thriving field that draws on a variety of theories to explore age and aging. Concerns about the well-being of older adults prompted this field’s emergence. It employs various theoretical approaches and includes a wide range of research methodologies. Here are… Continue reading The Sociology of Aging

Historical Sociology 101 – Narrative Analysis, Case Comparisons, and Theory-Construction In this article, we’ll discuss some basic tools used in historical sociology, such as Narrative analysis, Case comparisons, and Theory-construction. You’ll also learn about different kinds of historical studies, such as gender and class, and explore how they have evolved through time. But before we… Continue reading Historical Sociology 101 – Narrative Analysis, Case Comparisons, and Theory-Construction