Joy Ann Zellers, age 13, of St. Augustine, Fla., for her question:

WHAT EXACTLY IS SOCIOLOGY?

Sociology is the study of the individuals, groups and institutions that make up human society. The field of sociology covers a wide range that includes every aspect of human social conditions.

Sociology observes and records how people relate to one another and to their environments. It is also the study of the formation of groups. It is a social science that is closely related to anthropology and psychology.

Although scholars studied human societies back in ancient times, sociology wasn't considered a science until the early 1800s. At that time, the French philosopher Auguste Comte created the term "sociology."

Comte developed the theory of positivism, which held that social behavior and events could be observed and measured scientifically.

Many sociological theories were suggested during the 1800s. Several of them were single factor theories, which emphasized the factor as the controlling element of the social order. One of the most historically important single factor theories was economic determinism, which was developed by two German social thinkers, Fredrich Engels and Karl Marx.

Engels and Marx's theory states that economic factors control social patterns and institutions. The theory of economic determinism forms much of the basis of today's communism.

During the mid 1800s, sociological thought was greatly influenced by the theory of evolution. The British philosopher Herbert Spencer concluded that the development of human society was a gradual process of evolution from lower to higher forms, much like biological evolution.

During the late 1800s, many sociologists rejected the theory of social evolution and shifted to a more scientific study of society. Sociological data can help explain the cause of crime, poverty and other social problems.

The field of applied sociology deals with the use of sociological data to develop solutions for problems of society, such as crime and poverty.

Sociologists formulate theories based on observations of various aspects of society. They use scientific methods to test these theories. The sociologist's ability to form indisputable conclusions is limited by the diverse and changing nature of human beings and society. As a result, many sociological studies are less precise than those in the physical sciences.

Many elements determine the general social conditions of a society. These elements can be classified into five major areas: population studies, social behavior, social institutions, cultural influences and social change.

Sociological theories must be tested and verified before they can be considered reliable. Sociologists use three chief methods to test their theories: surveys, controlled experiments and field observations.