While psychology is the science of human thought, sociology is the science of human relationships. Sociologists consider all social interactions and the structures that make up society itself, ranging from crime to religion to class - and even the way in which social activity impacts upon the development of scientific knowledge.
Sociology considers these issues on not only the societal level, but also from personal and global perspectives. What are the societal implications of gender identity, and how do they form? What are the causes behind migration? The resulting impacts upon both communities?
We've published 8 articles and 3 specialist blog posts about sociology so far, featuring 80 unanswered sociology questions! But we're not done yet as we still have another 37 sociology research areas in our database to write about, so come back soon!
Recent Sociology News
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Adults over 50 are a priority for the COVID-19 vaccine. But many would rather wait
24th November, 2020
You'd think everyone is eager to get on with their post-pandemic lives as quickly as possible. Well, not really.
Why some people find it easier to stick to new habits they formed during lockdown
24th November, 2020
Matthew Jenkins, University of Otago and Elaine Hargreaves, University of Otago Periods of lockdown represent a massive disruption to people’s daily routines, but they also offer an opportunity to establish new habits. Our research focus is on what motivates people to change their behaviour, particularly when it comes to physical activity routines. We compared the levels of physical activity…
Aches on a plane – new findings on in-flight Covid transmission
24th November, 2020
One of the good things about New Zealand pursuing an elimination strategy for Covid-19 (aside from the obvious) is that we are able to help answer some of the questions there are about how the SARS-CoV-2 virus transmits between people. Take air travel. As many people in the US start to head off around the country to spend Thanksgiving with their friends and family, will some of them be spreading t…
The disease COVID-19, caused coronavirus, was thought to originate from a seafood market in China, and be 10,000 years old... but it may come from elsewhere and be millions of years older.
Ebola is one of the most contagious and dangerous diseases, but between outbreaks the disease must be hiding somewhere. Some suspect bats, but is this really true?
Animals certainly communicate – some using sounds, and others using body language, pheromones or even electricity. But does any of this actually constitute language?
Emotions are a vital part of society, but there are still plenty of mysteries surrounding them- from what they are for to whether it will be possible, or desirable, to create AI that experiences them.
Wild sharks have been observed cooperating, playing and courting. This suggests they communicate, yet they don’t emit sounds. Learn more about the other possible methods of communication being researched.
We still don’t know how to engineer truly suitable shark tanks for the great white, used to travelling hundreds of kilometres daily. Large sharks have large appetites, are fussy, and kill everything.
Can't find what you're looking for? Browse the branches of sociology that interest you most.
Anthropology looks at the history of our species- how we evolved and the development of culture and societies around the world.
Criminology covers why people commit crimes, and the effects of punishment.
Cultural Studies considers the culture that surrounds us every day. By studying this culture, we can better understand how individuals experience the world.
Medical Sociology investigates how culture and society impact on human health.
Social Psychology focuses on how our behaviour is affected by the presence or absence of other people.
Sociobiology aims to explain human behaviour and culture by looking at evolutionary processes in other species.
Socioeconomics is the study of the interface between someone’s economic status and their social interactions.
Sociolinguistics is the science of how languages change and are shaped by society, and how society is shaped by language.
Anthropology looks at the history of our species- how we evolved and the development of culture and societies around the world.
