Sociological practice and public sociology

This chapter suggests avenues for undergirding the sociological study of human rights with established social-psychological mechanisms, principles, and theories. It gives an review around the terminological pivot of dignity and, in particular, around relevant notions of human and social functioning that contribute to the sense of dignity at the very root of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The social structure and personality framework has a long tradition in social psychology, and its influence has extended to the point that it is largely the basis for other sociological subfields. The chapter illustrates one way that the social structure and personality (SSP) tradition might inform the sociological study of human rights by focusing on social elements underlying the individual development of values. It also provides a brief overview of how socialization occurs and how it provides individuals with baselines for thinking about who they are, which social categories and groups they belong to, and how they deserve to be treated.