sociologist
A sociologist deals scientifically with the coexistence of people in society ( sociology ).
tasks
Sociologists examine the structures of human societies, collect and analyze sociological data, explore social phenomena such as education , political decision-making, crime , unemployment , and examine the structures of social structures and institutions such as companies , families , parties and religious communities .
The more economic and social problems become visible in a society, the more important sociological specialist knowledge becomes in order to gain explanatory approaches and to develop strategies how these problems can be analyzed and dealt with. However, as the political author Helmut Dahmer warns his guild, for example, the sociology that he has observed is incapable of solving relevant problems in society: “The typical sociologist of today is a politically disengaged specialist, even if he occasionally provides 'political advice'. Earned money. So contemporary sociology misunderstands itself and misses its profession. "
Sociologists can use their knowledge of social phenomena, their emergence and interactions and, above all, their knowledge of social science data collection and analysis in various areas - in human resources and social affairs , in further training institutions in business and administration , in market research and opinion research , in marketing and in business consulting .
Sociologist at work
Usual job titles besides “sociologist” are also “ social scientist ”, more rarely “social scientist ”.
Scientific and professional organizations
The national specialist organizations of sociologists in German-speaking countries are the German , Austrian and Swiss Society for Sociology , and internationally the European and the International Sociological Association . (See also: American Sociological Association et al.)
Working sociologists are organized in the Professional Association of German Sociologists (BDS), and often in relevant trade unions (e.g. ver.di ) .
Code of Ethics
The German Society for Sociology (DGS), the German Society for Sociology of East Germany and the Professional Association of German Sociologists (BDS) decided in 1992 on a joint " Code of Ethics " for sociologists, which addresses numerous problems of their work ethics . So are sociologists u. a. committed to objectivity, neutrality and scientific independence. In the event of violations, arbitration proceedings, but also professional punishments, are provided. A permanent joint “ethics committee” of the two still existing associations DGS and BDS acts for this purpose.
For sociologists who work as statisticians, these requirements are even laid down in the Federal Statistics Act (Section 1). Misconduct can lead to serious consequences.
Areas of activity
- In polling institutes
- In market research institutes
- In large industrial companies and trading houses
- In public administration
- In parties , interest groups and chambers
- In university or commercial social research
- In the mass media sector - from the book market to television
Common professions
Sociologists rarely work independently and freelance , but you meet them as
- Lecturers at adult education centers and specialist academies for care for the elderly and the sick
- Lecturer at technical colleges , universities and in postgraduate training
- Business consultant or public relations consultants
- Journalists
As employees or civil servants, you meet them as
- University professors and researchers (see above all the list of important sociologists )
- Ergonomist
- Education researcher
- Lecturers , research speakers
- Economist
- Head of operational training u. further education
- Market researcher
- Mediator
- Pollsters
- PR manager
- HR consultant / HR developer / HR manager
- Press officer
- Editors
- Economic u. Social statistician
- Scientific staff at universities and research institutions
- Teachers in adult education
literature
- Wilhelm Bernsdorf , Horst Knospe (Hrsg.): Internationales Soziologenlexikon , 2 volumes, Enke, Stuttgart ²1980, ISBN 3-432-82652-4 (volume 1) and ISBN 3-432-90702-8 (volume 2).
- Wolfram Breger (Ed.): What will become with sociology. Professions for sociologists. The BDS professional manual , Lucius & Lucius, Stuttgart 2007, ISBN 978-3-8282-0402-7
Web links
- DGS - German Society for Sociology (see in particular: History )
- BDS - Professional Association of German Sociologists
- ESA - European Sociological Association
- ISA - International Sociological Association
- FTG - Ferdinand Tönnies Society
- ÖGS - Austrian Society for Sociology
- Federal Employment Agency: In good company
- TU Berlin : What is sociology? What do you do with it? What do you need for that?
Individual evidence
- ^ Dahmer, Helmut (2001): Sociology after a barbaric century . Vienna: WUV Universitätsverlag, p. 17.