ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Cognitive sociology

Cognitive sociology is a big fancy phrase that means people like you and me think about things and make decisions based on our thoughts.

Okay, let's break that down.

You know how when you decide to put on a sweater because you're feeling cold or put on your rain boots when it's raining outside, that's you using your brain to make a decision? Well, that's what cognitive sociology is all about!

It's the study of how people think about things like the world around them, other people, and situations they find themselves in. Scientists who study cognitive sociology want to know how people's thoughts influence their actions and interactions with others.

They might ask questions like, "Why do some people feel more comfortable in crowds than others?" or "How do people's beliefs about race affect how they treat others?"

Basically, they want to know how our thoughts and beliefs impact how we behave in social situations. It's like trying to figure out what's going on inside our heads that makes us act the way we do.

So, to sum it up: cognitive sociology is the study of how our brains, thoughts, and beliefs shape our behavior in social situations.