The Chicago School of Sociology

The Chicago School of Sociology refers to a group of researchers based at the University of Chicago in the early 20th century. They focused on studying urban life, social behaviors, and the impacts of rapid industrialization and immigration. Using qualitative methods, like interviews and participant observation, they explored how individuals interact within their communities. The school emphasized concepts such as social ecology, which looks at how people's environments shape their behaviors, and the idea of "social disorganization," which examines how community structures can influence crime and deviance. Their work laid the foundation for modern sociology and urban studies.