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The Sociology Dictionary
Clear, concise definitions of the concepts, theories and thinkers that shape how we understand society.
385 definitions and counting
Start with the essentials
Core ideas every student of sociology meets early
Anomie
Anomie is a sociological concept introduced by Émile Durkheim, describing a state of normlessness or social instability resulting from a breakdown of shared values…
Habitus
Habitus is a sociological concept developed by Pierre Bourdieu to describe the deeply ingrained habits, skills, dispositions, and ways of thinking that individuals…
Capitalism
Capitalism is an economic and social system in which the means of production are privately owned and goods and services are produced for profit through competitive…
Alienation
Alienation is a sociological concept, particularly associated with Karl Marx, that describes a state of disconnection or estrangement individuals feel from themselves…
Marxism
A theoretical framework rooted in the works of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, Marxism analyzes the socio-economic structures shaping society through the lens of…
Division of Labor
Division of labor refers to the separation of work into specialized tasks and occupations performed by different individuals, groups, or regions, and to the social…
Dramaturgical Analysis
Dramaturgical analysis is a sociological approach that studies social interaction as a form of theatrical performance, in which individuals act as performers who manage…
Double Consciousness
Double consciousness is the sense of always looking at oneself through the eyes of others, and of holding two social identities that are in tension, especially among…
Social Norms
Social Norms are the unwritten rules and expectations that govern behavior within a society or social group.
Gender Roles
Gender roles are the socially constructed expectations, norms, and behaviors that a society considers appropriate for people according to their perceived gender.
Ethnocentrism
Ethnocentrism is the belief that one's own culture, norms, and values are superior to those of other cultures.
Secularization
Secularization is the sociological process by which religious beliefs, institutions, and practices lose social significance and influence in public and private life.
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Social Norms
Social Norms are the unwritten rules and expectations that govern behavior within a society or social group.
Read the full definition →About the dictionary
Sociology has a large vocabulary, and much of it is unfamiliar at first. Each entry here explains a term in plain language, names the thinkers behind it, and links to related ideas, so you can follow a concept from one entry to the next.
For longer, in-depth explanations, visit EasySociology.