O*NET-SOC 19-3041.00

Sociologists

Study human society and social behavior by examining the groups and social institutions that people form, as well as various social, religious, political, and business organizations. May study the behavior and interaction of groups, trace their origin and growth, and analyze the influence of group activities on individual members.

Preparation

ItemValue
Preparation zoneZone 5 – Extensive preparation needed
What O*NET says the zone requiresExtensive skill, knowledge, or experience is needed
Broad occupation in O*NETTrue (Yes)
Skills listed for this occupation6
Abilities listed for this occupation6
Tasks listed for this occupation5
Interest scores given for this occupation6

Skills

The 6 skills with the highest importance values in this occupation's records.

SkillO*NET elementImportanceDate
Active Listening2.A.1.b4.1208/2023
Speaking2.A.1.d4.1208/2023
Active Learning2.A.2.b4.008/2023
Critical Thinking2.A.2.a4.008/2023
Reading Comprehension2.A.1.a4.008/2023
Writing2.A.1.c4.008/2023

The importance value is what each record itself carries on O*NET's importance scale; the date is the date in each record.

Abilities

The 6 abilities with the highest importance values in this occupation's records.

AbilityO*NET elementImportanceDate
Oral Comprehension1.A.1.a.14.2508/2023
Oral Expression1.A.1.a.34.2508/2023
Inductive Reasoning1.A.1.b.54.1208/2023
Written Comprehension1.A.1.a.24.1208/2023
Written Expression1.A.1.a.44.1208/2023
Deductive Reasoning1.A.1.b.44.008/2023

The importance value is what each record itself carries on O*NET's importance scale; the date is the date in each record.

Tasks

The tasks O*NET records for this occupation, with the type, respondent count and date each record carries.

TaskTypeIncumbents respondingDate
Analyze and interpret data to increase the understanding of human social behavior.Core2008/2023
Prepare publications and reports containing research findings.Core2008/2023
Develop, implement, and evaluate methods of data collection, such as questionnaires or interviews.Core2008/2023
Collect data about the attitudes, values, and behaviors of people in groups, using observation, interviews, and review of documents.Core2008/2023
Teach sociology.Core2008/2023

Work interests

The interest scores O*NET gives this occupation, on the six interest types.

InterestScoreDate
Investigative6.4311/2023
Social4.4211/2023
Artistic3.9611/2023
Conventional3.5711/2023
Enterprising3.0811/2023
Realistic1.6111/2023

More occupations in preparation zone 5

Source: O*NET 29.1 Database (Occupation Data, Job Zones, Skills, Abilities, Task Statements, Interests), U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Data fetched 2026-10-31. See about and sources.