Sociologists
What goes through your mind when you read a news story about someone committing murder, kidnapping, or torture? You might be shocked, wondering how that person could strip away all their humanity, and you might ask yourself what could drive someone to become a criminal in the first place. There are many social factors that can trigger aggressive behavior in some people - things like being severely beaten or emotionally abused as a child, growing up in a rough neighborhood where assault, theft, and drug addiction are common, or being heavily influenced by violent movies and video games. Studying the social factors that can turn some people into criminals is the job of experts called "sociologists," who are responsible for studying every form of human behavior and conducting research on how people are shaped by their surrounding environment, and what determines individuals' cultures and outlooks - all in order to understand the root causes of the problems societies face, and try to find solutions for them.
Meet the Writer: Waleed Abo Omiraa
What You'll Actually Do
The core tasks and responsibilities that fill a typical day.
- Prepare publications and reports containing research findings.
- Analyze and interpret data to increase the understanding of human social behavior.
- Plan and conduct research to develop and test theories about societal issues such as crime, group relations, poverty, and aging.
- Collect data about the attitudes, values, and behaviors of people in groups, using observation, interviews, and review of documents.
- Develop, implement, and evaluate methods of data collection, such as questionnaires or interviews.
- Teach sociology.
- Direct work of statistical clerks, statisticians, and others who compile and evaluate research data.
- Consult with and advise individuals such as administrators, social workers, and legislators regarding social issues and policies, as well as the implications of research findings.
- Collaborate with research workers in other disciplines.
- Develop approaches to the solution of groups' problems, based on research findings in sociology and related disciplines.
- Observe group interactions and role affiliations to collect data, identify problems, evaluate progress, and determine the need for additional change.
- Develop problem intervention procedures, using techniques such as interviews, consultations, role playing, and participant observation of group interactions.
- Present research findings at professional meetings.
- Explain sociological research to the general public.
- Write grants to obtain funding for research projects.