Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
A sociologist is a social scientist who studies human society, behavior, and the interactions between individuals and groups within society. They analyze social structures, patterns, and institutions to understand how they shape people's lives.
Related terms
Anthropologist: An anthropologist studies human societies across time and space, examining cultural practices, beliefs, and behaviors.
Social psychology focuses on how individual thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by social situations and interactions.
Sociocultural Factors: Sociocultural factors refer to the social norms, values, beliefs, customs, and traditions that shape an individual's behavior within a specific society or culture.