Sociologists study society and social behavior by examining the groups and social institutions people form, as well as their interaction through various social, religious, political, and business organizations. They also study the behavior of and interaction among social and cultural groups, trace their origin and growth, and analyze the influence of group activities on individual members.
Sociologists are concerned with the characteristics of social groups, organizations, and institutions; the ways individuals are affected by each other and by the groups to which they belong; and the effect of social traits such as gender, age, or race on a person’s daily life.
The results of sociological research aid educators, lawmakers, administrators, and others who are interested in resolving social problems and formulating public policy. Social engineering projects such as school busing, public mental health services, various safety net functions such as subsidized housing and food stamps all have their roots in research conducted by government staffers working with sociological research tools.
