Sociology

Andersen (sociology, U. of Delaware) and Taylor (sociology, Princeton U.) acquaint undergraduate students with the basic sociological concepts, theories, and insights. This edition includes a new feature on sociology's relevance to everyday life; new sections on how the spread of blogs, chat groups, and social networks is changing communication; more on participant observation and the double sexual standards for women and men; recent research on the mass racialized incarceration of blacks and Hispanics, obesity and health, and food consumption patterns; and updated data. It adds discussion of the impact of the economic recession, game theory, interpersonal attraction, the demographics of Internet users, and the effects of social media on culture. New coverage also includes consideration of bullying, the new concept of "emerging adulthood," the Hawthorne effect, Veblen's concept of conspicuous consumption, and the influence of global outsourcing. Annotation c2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)