Chapter 19, Problem 1CC-P522

Summary Introduction

Introduction

Demography is the study of the increase and decline of populations and factors that influence these trends. It is considered part of sociology because many of these factors are social and cultural. One factor is the distribution of populations and their interactions with each other. Other factors include births, deaths, and migrations among populations.

Explanation of Solution

Answer and explanation

Demography is part of sociology because they both study populations of people and how they interact socially. The rise and fall of societies are partly caused by social factors such as birth rates, death rates and migrations. As populations move around, they must interact with other societies on various levels which can affect their cultural norms and values as well. For example, refugees from the war in Syria have moved into Europe, and that caused a reaction among some right wing groups who feel their culture is threatened by these migrants. Sociologists can study how refugee groups interact with cultures that shelter them, and how some among those cultures react to their presence.