Sociology

Activism: purposes, methods, history, and cultural forms Activism Collective and individual actions intended to influence social, political, or cultural change. Explains common tactics, history, artistic forms, uses, and differences between types…

Albanian: language, people, culture, and national identity Albanian Overview of Albanian as a language branch, an ethnic group, and a cultural identity, covering dialects, alphabet, history, distribution, literature, and notable cultural features.

Alienation: social, psychological, and philosophical dimensions Alienation Alienation describes feelings of separation or estrangement from self, social groups, work, or society. It appears in psychology, sociology, political theory and existentialist tho…

Anglosphere: definition, typical members, history and influence Anglosphere Overview of the Anglosphere: the cluster of predominantly English-speaking countries with shared legal, political and cultural ties, common features, typical members, origins and d…

Anomie: social normlessness, origins, effects, and distinctions Anomie Anomie is a sociological condition of normlessness or breakdown of moral standards, often linked to rapid social change. This entry explains its origins, features, consequences, an…

Antisexuality: opposition to sexual behavior and sex-negativity Antisexuality Antisexuality (sex-negativity) is opposition to sexual activity or expression. This article explains its forms, history, differences from asexuality, and social effects.

Aristocrat: history, roles, and social significance Aristocrat An aristocrat is a member of the highest social class in many societies, often hereditary. This article surveys origins, typical features, regional forms, privileges, decline and m…

Auguste Comte: Founder of Sociology and Architect of Positivism Auguste Comte French philosopher Auguste Comte (1798–1857) coined 'sociology' and developed positivism, advocating scientific study of society, a hierarchy of sciences, and practical social refo…

Authority: Concepts, Forms, History, and Social Role Authority Comprehensive overview of authority: definitions, major types and sources of legitimacy, how it operates in institutions and everyday life, limits and debates, and contemporary iss…

Baby boomer (generation) Baby boomer People born during the post–World War II rise in births, commonly defined c.1946–1964; a large cohort with lasting social, economic and cultural influence whose exact birth-year bo…

Babysitter A babysitter provides short-term childcare in a family setting. This article explains typical duties, how sitters are hired and trained, differences from nannies and daycare, and s…

Bachelor (unmarried man): definition, history, and cultural context Bachelor An unmarried man who has not been married and does not cohabit; overview of meanings, related terms, cultural rituals such as bachelor parties, and how the role varies across socie…

Black British People in the United Kingdom with African or Caribbean heritage who identify as Black British; overview of identity, history, demographics, culture and social issues.

Black feminism: history, principles, and influence Black feminism Black feminism examines how race, gender, class and other systems interact to shape Black women's lives; it encompasses activism, theory, culture and distinct organizing traditions…

Bogan — Australian and New Zealand slang and subculture Bogan Bogan is an Australian and New Zealand slang term for a person perceived as working-class with distinct speech, dress and behaviour; usage ranges from derogatory to proudly reclaim…

BookCrossing — releasing books into public circulation BookCrossing BookCrossing is the practice of leaving books in public or sharing them through networks so others can read and pass them on; supported by an online community for tracking, discuss…

Bourgeoisie: origins, characteristics, and social significance Bourgeoisie An overview of the bourgeoisie—its meaning as a social class, historical development, typical characteristics, political role, and how the term is used in different contexts.

Boyfriend: meaning, roles, history and social context Boyfriend A boyfriend is a male romantic partner in a non-marital relationship. This article explains the term, typical roles and expectations, historical usage, social distinctions, and com…

British Asian: communities, history, and influence in the United Kingdom British Asian Overview of British Asian communities: origins, major subgroups, migration history, cultural and economic contributions, regional distribution, and contemporary identity issues.

Brothel A brothel is an establishment where sex workers meet clients. Arrangements, services and legal status vary widely across jurisdictions and cultures.

Bulgarians: people, language, history and global communities Bulgarians An overview of Bulgarians — a South Slavic people of Southeast Europe: origins, language and script, cultural traits, demographics, diaspora and historical highlights.

Bullying: forms, causes, effects, and prevention Bullying Bullying is repeated aggressive behavior toward someone perceived as vulnerable. This article explains types, dynamics, consequences, prevention strategies, and how to distinguish…

Bullying: types, impacts, prevention, and the role of bystanders Bullying An overview of bullying: forms, typical behavior patterns, effects on targets and communities, historical context, prevention strategies, legal responses, and guidance for bystande…

Bureaucracy: structure, functions, history and criticisms Bureaucracy A concise overview of bureaucracy: its defining features, organizational roles, historical development, common examples, and major critiques and reforms.

Caste: social order, history, and modern change Caste Overview of the caste concept originating in South Asia: structure, historical development, social effects, legal reforms, and continuing significance in contemporary societies.

Casual sex: definition, types, health and social aspects Casual sex Overview of casual sex: definitions, common forms (hookups, friends with benefits), health and consent considerations, and cultural context. Neutral, practical guidance and distinc…

Census: population counting and data collection Census A census is a comprehensive count and survey of a defined population. This article explains what a census records, how it is conducted, its history, uses, and common issues like pr…

Child labour: definition, causes, sectors, and global responses Child labour An overview of child labour: what it is, how it differs from acceptable child work, its causes, the sectors affected, legal frameworks and responses, and key distinctions and facts…

Cisgender Cisgender describes people whose gender identity corresponds to the sex assigned at birth. The article outlines definition, etymology, distinctions from related concepts, social im…

Clandestine cell system A clandestine cell system is an organizational method that limits members' knowledge of one another to reduce risk of infiltration, used in espionage, insurgency, criminal networks…

Class struggle: social conflict between economic groups Class struggle Conflict between social classes over resources, power and status. Central to Marxist thought and widely used in sociology to explain political change, labour relations and inequali…

Clique: small, exclusive social groups and their dynamics Clique A clique is a small, exclusive circle of people bound by shared tastes, identity, or goals. This article explains features, origins, social effects, examples, and how cliques diffe…

Closeted (in the closet): hiding sexual orientation, gender, or intersex traits Closeted Explanation of the term 'closeted' (in the closet), reasons people remain hidden, its social and historical context, related concepts like coming out, outing, and strategies for sa…

Commoner (social class) Commoner A commoner is a person outside hereditary ruling orders — not part of royalty, nobility, or clergy — with roles and status that vary by era and culture.

Concentric zone model (Burgess model) Concentric zone model An urban geography model developed by Ernest W. Burgess describing how a settlement grows in concentric rings from a central business district, its zones, historical origin, uses a…

Concubinage: historical practice, legal status, and social distinctions Concubinage Concubinage refers to a non-marital, often institutionalized relationship in which a woman has fewer legal rights than a wife; historically widespread with varying uses, rules, and…

Conspiracy theory An explanation that attributes events to secret plots by powerful groups; covers characteristics, history, social effects, and how to assess such claims.

Conversation Analysis (CA) Conversation analysis Conversation analysis is the empirical study of everyday talk and institutional interaction, examining turn-taking, repair, sequence organization and how social order is produced i…

Cooperation: principles, forms, history, and practical importance Cooperation Cooperation is joint action toward shared goals. This article explains its defining features, common forms (including cooperatives), historical development, practical uses, benefit…

Copycat suicide: contagion, causes, and prevention Copycat suicide Copycat suicide (suicide contagion) occurs when exposure to another person's suicide increases the likelihood of additional suicides. This article explains mechanisms, the Werther…

Counterculture: definitions, history, and social influence Counterculture Counterculture describes social groups and movements that reject dominant cultural norms. This article explains characteristics, historical examples, effects on society, and how co…

Courtship (romantic selection and relationship-building) Courtship Courtship is the period when two people explore compatibility and commitment. Practices range from informal dating to formal, family-approved arrangements and vary widely across cu…

Crime in Russia: Overview, Organized Crime, History and Contemporary Issues Crime in Russia An overview of crime in Russia, including major types of criminal activity, organized networks, historical drivers since the late 1980s, economic effects, enforcement challenges an…

Criollo people (Spanish-descended colonial class) Criollo people Criollos were people of Spanish descent born in overseas colonies. This article explains their origins, social role in colonial hierarchies, historical impact, and the term's evolv…

Crips (Los Angeles street gang) Crips A predominantly Los Angeles-based set of street gangs formed in 1969, known for blue identifiers, rivalry with the Bloods, links to organized criminal activity, and significant cul…

Cross-sex friendship A cross-sex friendship is a nonromantic relationship between a man and a woman. This article explains features, social context, common benefits and challenges, and distinctions fro…

Culprit: meaning, legal use, and distinctions Culprit Overview of the term 'culprit'—its meaning, legal context, history, and how it differs from related terms such as suspect, perpetrator, defendant, and victim.

Cult of Domesticity (Cult of True Womanhood) Cult of domesticity A 19th-century ideal that defined women's roles as pious, pure, submissive, and domestic, shaping gender expectations in the United States and Britain and influencing social, educa…