Sociologists study society and social behavior by examining the groups, cultures, social institutions, and processes that develop when people interact and work together.
Sociologists study how people live together in groups, how they communicate and how they influence each other. They use their findings to help solve problems in society.
However, there are some key sociologists that have laid the foundations of what we study today. On this page, I have collected together some of the most influential people in terms of sociological thought and summarised their key ideas into handy A4 sized nuggets of information.
This list of sociologists includes people who have made notable contributions to sociological theory or to research in one or more areas of sociology.
Throughout academic history, there have been many famous sociologists who have left their mark on the field of sociology and the world at large. We can learn more about their legacies by browsing through this list of 21 of the most famous thinkers in sociology history.
Sociologists examine patterns, trends, and dynamics within societies to better understand the social structures, cultural norms, institutions, and forces that influence human behavior on both macro and micro levels.
Sociologists examine topics as diverse as crime and religion, family and the state, the divisions of race and social class, the shared beliefs of cultures, and social stability and radical changes throughout entire societies.
Sociological research can also take many approaches. Some famous sociologists conduct phenomenological studies, in which they examine the lived experiences of their subjects. Other sociologists use quantitative methods and mathematical models to analyze and predict human behavior.