Word

sociological

adjective C1

UK /ˌsəʊsiəˈlɒdʒɪkəl/

US /ˌsoʊsiəˈlɑːdʒɪkəl/

Meanings

adjective

Relating to sociology or the study of society and social behavior.

adjective

Based on ideas or methods that explain things through social factors such as class, culture, institutions, or group norms.

sociological: Based on ideas or methods that explain things through social factors such as class, culture, institutions, or…

Definition

Relating to sociology or to the study of how people behave in groups and societies.

Sociological describes something connected with sociology, the academic study of society and social behavior. It often refers to explanations, research methods, or perspectives that focus on social structures, institutions, and group relationships. You can use it to contrast social causes with purely individual or psychological ones.

Examples

Her article offers a sociological explanation for why certain slang spreads so quickly online.
In our seminar, we compared a sociological approach to a psychological one and noticed how differently they frame responsibility.
The documentary becomes more persuasive when it adds sociological context about housing, schooling, and local networks.
He criticized the report for ignoring sociological factors such as informal support systems and community expectations.

Common mistake

Learners often confuse sociological with social, but sociological specifically means related to the academic study of society.