In sociology, a concept is a fundamental idea that helps sociologists understand and analyse various aspects of society.
Concepts are the building blocks of sociological theory and research, providing a framework for examining social phenomena and relationships.
As a student of Sociology, these key concepts are central to your understanding of all topics in the subject. It would be a good idea, early in your course, to learn these 20 core concepts and be ready to add to the list as your course progresses.
Key concepts cut-across all areas of sociological study and are central to understanding discussions and debates throughout all areas and themes of a Sociology course.
For example, concepts like class, social structure, culture, norms, and values will be essential to any understanding of the sociology of education.
In a sociological study of crime and deviance, the same concepts will be applied. In using these concepts sociologists attempt decipher patterns in human behaviour and how society is organised.
Concepts allow for a systematic study of how individuals interact within their social environments and how larger social forces shape individual experiences – which is what Sociology is all about.