Highly respected for its quality scholarship and its focused, straightforward approach to sociology, the sixth edition of this book returns to the core concept with tighter, briefer and more accessible presentation. As in the previous editions, the functionalist, conflict and interactionist perspectives are applied throughout the book, allowing students to develop a solid understanding of the major sociological perspectives and their applications to the topics covered. The text seeks to make sociology come alive as a vital and exciting field, to relate principles to real-world circumstances, and to attune students to the dynamic processes of our rapidly changing contemporary society. The authors have kept this book completely up to date, including data from the 2000 Census whenever possible and new student examples capitalizing on students' desire to read about issues of interest to them.