Originally published in 1968, all the papers in the first volume of Sociological Studies are centred round the theme of social stratification. Four of the contributions took a fresh look at some of the terms used to describe stratification. These include class, status, power, deference, privilege, prestige. The papers show how these terms have many variations of meaning and conceal interesting and important facets of the problem. Having determined what is meant by social stratification, the next five papers go on to emphasise the study of aspects of social stratification in particular societies, and include reports on empirical research in this field. An editorial introduction discusses developments in the literature on this subject and provides a background against which the other papers are set.

This 1970 collection of specially commissioned papers develops the theory of both long- and short-distance migration. The movement of human population, which has always been an essential ingredient of social change, tended in the past to be considered primarily in terms of economic interest. It embraces, however, many complex aspects of human aspirations and changing circumstances that are developed in the initial decision to migrate taken in the community of origin and the process of adjustment and settlement in the community to which the migrant comes. The importance of the factors related to immigration, especially of those from widely differing national and racial groups, is very apparent in Britain and many other countries. These more widely dramatized migrations are part of a social process that has common features with the movement from country to town in the same country, and is closely related to changes in the family cycle, to social mobility and economic development.

This book was originally published in 1970. The concept of profession and the characteristics by which certain occupations are claimed to enjoy professional status is a highly appropriate example of the kind of conceptual area which this series aims to explore. As in the first two volumes, on Social Stratification and Migration, the purpose of this volume was to raise a number of questions about the adequacy of theoretical concepts used by sociologists and others to describe social phenomena. Each of the papers expresses a certain dissatisfaction with many of the basic assumptions, which were apparent in much of the literature. The editor in his introductory paper discusses some aspects of the relation of professions to the development of ideology and specified intellectual traditions in the universities. He raises a number of questions about the significance of different 'areas of competence' in which professionals practise in relation to the concerns of the wider society.

This book was first published in 1972. The concept of role has been central to the development of knowledge about, and measures of, the normative context which mediates between the individual and society. The whole controversy of the primacy of 'nature' or 'nurture' has been contained within this loose-fitting concept. As in the first three volumes on Social Stratification, Migration and Professions and Professionalisation, the purpose of this volume was to raise a number of questions about the adequacy of theoretical concepts used by sociologists and others to describe social phenomena.