sociology

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the systematic study of society, social institutions, relationships, groups, and patterns of human behaviour

   She studied sociology to understand how class and education shape people's opportunities.

From French sociologie, coined by Emmanuel-Joseph Sieyes and independently developed by Auguste Comte, from Latin socius, 'companion or associate,' + Greek -logia, 'study.' Comte helped establish sociology as the name for the scientific study of society.

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