A New Era of Inquiry: Emerging Trends in Sociology

• Sociology will be at the forefront of studies into digital technologies, globalization, environmental change, health, and economic inequalities.
• New possibilities in data collection and analysis will revolutionize quantitative methods, while qualitative methods will continue to seek to center participants’ lived experiences more fully.
• With new methods likely to yield new findings that existing theories are unable to adequately explain, sociology is poised to enter a new era of revolutionary science.

Introduction

In The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, sociologist Thomas Kuhn famously wrote about the distinction between “normal science” and “revolutionary science.”

Most sociologists, I believe, would agree that sociology last underwent a period of revolutionary science in the 1960s and 1970s. But could the field be poised to undergo another period of revolution in the next 5 to 10 years? I believe the odds are greater than you might think.

Read on to learn more about emerging trends in sociology and why artificial intelligence, in particular, may be poised to revolutionize the field.

Background

Back in 2007, Indiana University sociologist Fabio Rojas made a provocative argument on his blog: the sociology of today (or at least of 2007) is the sociology created by a generation of scholars from approximately 1965 to about 1980.

“I don’t think org theory is alone in being stuck in the 1970s (or earlier). If you look around sociology, you will see that the major paradigms were laid out by 1980 or so – whether it be resource mobilization in movement studies (Mayer & Zald 1977), practice theory in culture (Bourdieu – Outline of a Theory of Practice 1977), neo-Marxists in stratification (Burawoy 1979; Olin-Wright 1970s) or affect control theory in social psychology (Heise 1970s). Some other paradigms were articulated earlier, such as status attainment models of the 1960s. Further, many “new” paradigms appear to be the older stuff just applied to new topics , such as the dominance of world polity theory in globalization studies, which assumes much of the intellectual framework of Meyer, Boli & Ramirez, which builds on the Meyer and Rowan articles of the 1970s.

“You might find a few exceptions here and there, but the pattern is clear – the sociology we practice now is the sociology created by a generation of scholars from approximately 1965 to about 1980.”

I know a few folks who would vigorously dispute that claim. (Intersectionality theorists, in particular.) But as long as we don’t get too bogged down in details, I think most sociologists today would agree with Rojas that most sociology has not undergone anything like a Kuhnian paradigm shift since the 1960s and 1970s.

We’ve already covered the reason for that on this blog in our post about the sociological imagination. To recap:

• From the 1930s through the 1950s, sociology was dominated by a theoretical framework called functionalism.
• That framework, which too often presumed everything that happens in society happens for a good reason, was blown to bits by the social strife of the 1960s, which it did not anticipate and could not adequately explain.
• Sociologists regrouped by embracing C. Wright Mills’s concept of the “sociological imagination,” which provided the stepping stone for much of the foundational contemporary theory Rojas lays out above.

As Rojas is quick to mention in his post, it’s not necessarily a bad thing that sociology has gone decades without a revolution. Revolutionary science may be sexy. But normal science’s process of incrementally building off of revolutionary foundations is, well, normal. It’s supposed to be 90 percent of the job. In fact, a good, fertile, decades-long period of normal science is a good indication that those revolutionary scholars of the 1960s and 1970s were on the right track.

But, at the same time, it’s now been fifty years or so since sociology has been roiled by a good revolution. Society itself, surely, has changed a lot over the course of those fifty years. Has sociology kept up? Is it due for a paradigm shift? These are questions well worth considering.

I think the next ten years are ripe for a revolution in sociology. To be clear, I don’t think the sociological imagination is about to become as discredited as functionalism. Rather, this is what I anticipate:

• Right now, there are new frontiers in technologically-assisted data collection and analysis that are rapidly unfolding.
• These will lead to new methods, which will, in turn, yield new findings that current theories cannot explain.
• These contradictory findings will fuel a new era of theorization and lead to critical reexaminations of some or most of those great theorists of the 1960s and 1970s.

Future Topics in Sociology

Topically, I think the next decade of sociology is fairly straightforward to project. There will be a continuation of certain lines of inquiry, as well as new, emerging phenomena that will be addressed more vigorously. These include:

• Intersectionalities and Inequalities: This is an area of study that is far from tapped out. There is increasing recognition of the complexities of social identities and the multifaceted nature of oppression. As societies become more diverse, understanding how race, gender, class, sexuality, and other social categories intersect to shape experiences of inequality is crucial. This focus will likely lead to more nuanced analyses of social structures and power dynamics, informing policies and practices aimed at promoting social justice and equity.
• Digital Sociology: Sociologists were somewhat slow to start studying the new possibilities afforded by digital technologies. Not anymore. The rapid advancement of digital technologies and their pervasive influence on all aspects of life make digital sociology a key area of focus in the coming years. Sociologists will explore how digitalization impacts social relationships, communication, identity formation, and societal norms. With the rise of social media, big data, and online communities, digital sociology will provide critical insights into the changing nature of social interactions and the implications for privacy, security, and digital divides.
• Globalization and Culture: As globalization continues to connect people and societies, the interplay between globalization and culture will remain a central topic in sociology. Researchers will examine how global economic and cultural flows impact local traditions, identities, and social practices. The study of global cultural exchange, hybridization, and resistance will provide important insights into the dynamics of cultural change and the persistence of cultural diversity in an increasingly interconnected world.
• Environmental Sociology: With growing concerns about climate change, sustainability, and environmental justice, environmental sociology is poised to be a major area of research. Sociologists will investigate the social dimensions of environmental issues, including the distribution of environmental risks, the social drivers of environmental degradation, and the societal responses to environmental challenges. This focus will contribute to a deeper understanding of the human-environment relationship and inform strategies for sustainable development.
• Health, Well-being, and Society: The intricate relationship between health, well-being, and societal factors will continue to be a central focus in sociology. Researchers will explore how social determinants such as socioeconomic status, race, and gender influence health outcomes and access to healthcare. The study of the social dimensions of mental health, aging, and disability will also be crucial in addressing public health challenges and promoting well-being in diverse populations.
• Economic Sociology and Inequalities: The persistent and growing economic inequalities within and between societies will keep economic sociology at the forefront of sociological inquiry. Sociologists will examine the social mechanisms that underlie economic processes, including the role of institutions, networks, and cultural norms in shaping economic behavior and outcomes. The study of the intersection of economic and social inequalities will provide valuable insights into the challenges of achieving equitable and sustainable economic development.
• Political Sociology and Authoritarianism: In the context of rising authoritarianism and political polarization, political sociology will be a key area of focus. Sociologists will investigate the causes and consequences of authoritarian tendencies, the dynamics of political movements, and the impact of political institutions on social life. The study of democracy, governance, and citizenship will be crucial in understanding the challenges and opportunities for democratic societies in a rapidly changing world.

The above list is exactly what one would predict if they were convinced sociology would remain on its current trajectory of normal science. Topically, I see no reason to argue otherwise. But methodologically, I see great potential for major changes in how sociology is conducted by the end of the next decade.

1. Big Data and Computational Social Science

Sociological methods are already beginning to undergo transformative changes given the surge in available digital data and the methods to analyze them. “Big Data” is increasingly influencing how social scientists understand human behavior and societies. The integration of Big Data analytics into sociological research has paved the way for a subfield known as Computational Social Science (CSS), which employs computer-aided techniques to analyze complex social phenomena.

• A significant trend within Computational Social Science is the shift from relying solely on traditional data sources, such as surveys and ethnographies, to incorporating disparate data streams from social media, sensor networks, and online transactions. This allows researchers to harness vast quantities of data in real-time, offering a granular view of social dynamics previously unattainable. Furthermore, Big Data facilitates the uncovering of patterns at both macro-social and micro-social levels, transcending traditional disciplinary boundaries and enabling more nuanced and interdisciplinary research questions to be posed and answered.
• An essential part of the discussion within Computational Social Science pertains to the methodologies adopted for analysis. Data mining, machine learning, and network analysis have become integral to researchers in the field. For instance, advancements in machine learning provide sociologists with tools to explore complex, non-linear patterns and relationships within societal data, advancing beyond the constraints of linear regression models that historically dominated social science research.
• Another application of CSS is the modeling of social processes. Agent-based models, which simulate the actions and interactions of autonomous agents with a view to assessing their effects on the social system, offer powerful insights into societal trends and the potential impact of policies. Unlike traditional sociological methods, these computational models can integrate heterogeneous data, account for individual variability, and dynamically capture changes over time, which often more accurately reflects real-world conditions.
• An essential consideration in using Big Data within sociology is the ethical aspect related to privacy and consent. The ease with which individual-level data can be collected and analyzed poses significant risks to privacy, and the field is grappling with the development of protocols and guidelines that protect individuals’ rights while allowing for the advancement of knowledge.
• The application of Big Data and computational methods also necessitates a reevaluation of the skills required by social researchers. The contemporary sociologist must be well-versed not only in traditional theoretical frameworks and methodologies but also increasingly in data science, including skills in programming, statistics, and data visualization.

In conclusion, Big Data and Computational Social Science represent a profound shift in sociological research, revealing patterns and connections that were once obscured by the limitations of prior methodologies. This evolution, however, is far from straightforward. It demands rigorous ethical guidelines, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and a re-orientation of sociological training to equip scholars with the necessary computational tools to navigate the Big Data landscape effectively.

2. Artificial Intelligence and Sociological Analysis

Artificial intelligence (AI) has begun to shape numerous aspects of sociological investigation, offering innovative tools to interpret complex social phenomena and providing new lenses through which societal patterns can be scrutinized. The integration of AI into sociological research represents a significant trend that is likely to expand over the next 5-10 years, fundamentally transforming the methodologies and scope within the field.

• AI, particularly machine learning algorithms, facilitates the analysis of vast amounts of unstructured data, such as textual, auditory, and visual information. This enables sociologists to detect subtle patterns in human behavior, social interactions, and cultural trends that might otherwise remain undiscovered. For instance, natural language processing tools allow the extraction of themes and sentiments from social media platforms, offering real-time insights into public opinion and emerging societal discourses.
• Moreover, AI has proven instrumental in exploring complex social networks and their dynamics. Utilizing algorithms for network analysis, sociologists can uncover the structure and influence patterns within social groups on an unprecedented scale. This capacity to map social connections and their strength has direct implications for understanding societal systems, including how information diffuses, how influence operates, and how social capital is distributed among individuals and communities.
• The potential of AI in sociological research extends into predictive analytics as well. For instance, AI can help identify the probability of social events and trends evolving in particular directions. By employing predictive models, sociologists can offer valuable forecasts regarding phenomena such as migration patterns, crime hotspots, and education outcomes, thereby assisting policy development and intervention strategies.
• As sociologists increasingly collaborate with data scientists and computer engineers, interdisciplinary research will likely flourish, creating hybrid methodologies that leverage the strengths of AI while maintaining a keen awareness of social theory and human contexts (Rainie and Anderson, 2017). This collaborative trend points towards a future where AI not only assists in sociological analysis but also becomes an integral component of sociological theory and practice.
• Finally, even among those who continue to use traditional methods, AI will likely revolutionize how scholars go about their work. For example, qualitative researchers have long been limited by the painstaking time and effort required to transcribe field notes and interviews. Today’s technologies, however, drastically reduce that commitment, thus freeing researchers up to do more field work and analysis than they could have done in the past.
• Notwithstanding these advancements, the use of AI in sociological research is not devoid of challenges. There are legitimate concerns about the ethical implications, potential biases, and inferences based on AI-generated data. The limitation lies in the possibility of AI amplifying pre-existing social biases present in the datasets, leading to outcomes that could further entrench societal inequalities. Thus, a sociological lens is pivotal in critically evaluating the algorithmic processes and ensuring that AI tools are applied in a manner that is congruent with social justice and ethical research practices.

3. Virtual Reality and the Study of Social Interactions

Virtual Reality (VR) technology is progressively infiltrating the field of sociology, offering novel ways to study and understand social interactions. As I noted in a previous post about what sociology is, one of the primary challenges of sociological research is the fact that the experiment–the gold standard of scientific methods–doesn’t work very well. But VR’s immersive capabilities allow researchers to create controlled environments where participant behavior can be observed and analyzed in ways that were previously impossible. These advances hold significant implications for sociological research, and the use of VR in sociology is anticipated to become more prevalent in the next 5-10 years.

• One of the main advantages of VR in sociological studies is its ability to simulate complex social situations with high levels of control over the environment. This allows researchers to manipulate variables and observe outcomes in real-time For instance, VR can be used to understand how individuals navigate space and social hierarchies in virtual settings that mimic real-world contexts. Moreover, VR enables the study of nonverbal communication, such as body language and proxemics, by allowing researchers to track and analyze participants’ movements and interactions within these simulated environments.
• Another significant development is the exploration of virtual societies. By creating virtual worlds and avatars, sociologists can explore how identities are constructed and the effects of social norms and deviance in a society where the consequences can be controlled or even eliminated. This can illuminate understanding of stigmatized behaviors and provide a safe space for conducting experiments that would be otherwise unethical or unfeasible in real life.
• Furthermore, VR opens up opportunities for cross-cultural research. Researchers can construct virtual scenarios that participants from different parts of the world can experience, providing a deeper insight into cultural differences and universalities in social interactions. The ease of data collection from these controlled settings also aids in the creation of large datasets which can be analyzed to discern broader patterns and trends in human behaviors.
• However, as with these other new technological tools, the use of VR in sociology also brings ethical considerations. The immersion of VR can be so profound that it raises concerns about psychological effects on participants, informed consent, and the distinction between reality and simulation. Sociologists will need to navigate these challenges carefully as they design experiments and interpret their findings.

In summary, the integration of VR into sociology is a burgeoning trend that will allow for the refinement of existing social theories and the formulation of new ones, taking into account the immersive and manipulative capabilities of VR technology. It positions the field of sociology at the forefront of research innovation, capitalizing on advancements that bridge the gap between abstract sociological concepts and tangible, experimental settings. Sociologists will need to stay abreast of technological advancements and develop new theories that account for the ways VR influences social interactions and human behavior.

4. What about Qualitative Methods?

Qualitative methods in sociology are not likely to die out or diminish over the course of the next decade. On the contrary, they will be more important than ever amidst the coming wave of Big Data and machine learning. Methods that recognize the biases inherent in pregiven categories, like institutional ethnography, and methods that center the participant more fully in the research process, such as Participatory Action Research (PAR), will flourish as sociologists continue to recognize the importance of engaging with research subjects as active collaborators rather than passive objects of study.

Here are some trends that are likely to occur over the next decade of sociological research:

1. Expansion of Participatory Approaches: Participatory methods like PAR, which involve research participants in all stages of the research process, are expected to become more prevalent. These approaches emphasize collaboration, reflexivity, and the co-creation of knowledge, challenging traditional power dynamics between researchers and participants. As a result, qualitative research will likely become more democratic and inclusive, with a greater focus on empowering communities and addressing social inequalities.
2. Integration of Digital Technologies: The evolution of qualitative methods will also be influenced by the integration of digital technologies. Online platforms and social media will provide new opportunities for engaging with participants, collecting data, and disseminating findings. Digital storytelling, virtual ethnography, and online focus groups are examples of how qualitative researchers will adapt to the digital age, expanding the reach and impact of their work.
3. Enhanced Reflexivity and Ethical Considerations: With the increased emphasis on participant-centered approaches, reflexivity and ethical considerations will become even more critical. Researchers will need to be more attentive to issues of power, representation, and consent, ensuring that participants’ voices are heard and respected. This may involve developing new ethical guidelines and protocols that are sensitive to the complexities of participatory research.
4. Interdisciplinary and Transdisciplinary Collaborations: The evolution of qualitative methods will also be characterized by greater interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary collaborations. Researchers will draw on insights from fields such as anthropology, psychology, and public health to enrich their understanding of social phenomena. This cross-pollination of ideas and methods will lead to more innovative and holistic approaches to qualitative research.
5. Emphasis on Mixed Methods: The boundary between qualitative and quantitative methods is likely to become more fluid, with an increasing emphasis on mixed-methods approaches. Combining qualitative insights with quantitative data will provide a more comprehensive understanding of social issues, allowing researchers to explore complex phenomena from multiple angles.
6. Focus on Impact and Social Change: Finally, qualitative methods in sociology will increasingly prioritize impact and social change. Researchers will seek to produce actionable knowledge that can inform policy, practice, and social movements. This will involve not only understanding social problems but also actively contributing to solutions, aligning research with the broader goals of social justice and sustainability.

What Can You Do?

As long as sociology does not succumb to the threats to its current position in the academy, I believe the next ten to twenty years will be an especially exciting time to be a sociologist. New methods will yield new findings, which will in turn spur a new generation of theorizing. While some are likely to decry or feel threatened by these new developments, those who embrace it will have a unique opportunity to shape the direction of the field for decades to come.

What can young or aspiring scholars do to best situate themselves to be the next Bourdieu or Burawoy, if that’s your aspiration? Here are ten suggestions:

1. Embrace Interdisciplinarity: Cultivate a broad intellectual curiosity that spans beyond traditional sociological boundaries, integrating insights from related fields to enrich your understanding of complex social phenomena.
2. Stay Technologically Savvy: Develop skills in digital technologies and data analytics, as these tools are becoming increasingly central to sociological research and offer new avenues for exploring social issues.
3. Prioritize Ethical Research: Uphold ethical standards in your research, ensuring respect, confidentiality, and informed consent, especially when dealing with sensitive topics and vulnerable populations.
4. Engage with Global Perspectives: Adopt a global outlook in your research, considering the interconnectedness of societies and the impact of global processes on local contexts.
5. Focus on Social Impact: Aim to produce research that not only advances academic knowledge but also has the potential to inform policies, practices, and social change initiatives.
6. Cultivate Reflexivity: Reflect on your positionality as a researcher, acknowledging how your background, beliefs, and biases may influence your research process and interpretations.
7. Embrace Mixed Methods: Be open to combining qualitative and quantitative methods in your research, as this can provide a more comprehensive understanding of social phenomena.
8. Seek Collaborative Opportunities: Collaborate with fellow researchers, practitioners, and community members, as this can enhance the relevance, depth, and impact of your research.
9. Stay Informed of Sociological Trends: Keep abreast of emerging trends and debates within the field, as this will help you situate your research within the broader sociological landscape.
10. Cultivate Resilience and Adaptability: Be prepared for challenges and setbacks in your research journey, and remain adaptable in the face of evolving societal and academic landscapes.

As I’ve written before on this blog, part of the reason why I chose to become a public sociologist is because I believe the future of sociological research is already in good hands. I’m excited to see what the field will come up with over the next decade. You should be, too!

What do you think of my take on where sociology is heading in the next ten years? Did I leave out anything important? Share your views in the comments below.

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