In sociological terms, what does ‘biography’ refer to?

In sociological terms, 'biography' specifically refers to the individual experiences and personal history of a person. This concept highlights how an individual's life story – encompassing personal events, social relationships, and experiences – shapes their identity and perspective in societal contexts. Sociologists study biography to understand how personal narratives are influenced by larger social structures, cultural norms, and historical events.

This understanding is crucial in fields like qualitative research, where the richness of personal narratives can provide insights into broader social phenomena. For example, through the lens of biography, one can see how an individual's life choices and experiences are interconnected with societal factors like class, race, and gender, thereby illustrating the relationship between personal and social dimensions. This makes the study of biography fundamental to sociology, as it connects individual experiences to larger social frameworks.