Section 4
Urban Life
By Boundless
![Thumbnail](../../../../../../figures.boundless-cdn.com/5979/square/harper-midway-chicago.jpeg)
Urban sociology is the study of social life and interactions in urban areas, using methods ranging from statistical analysis to ethnography.
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Social scientists have focused on social interactions in urban areas because cities bring together many cultural strands.
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Neighborhoods are small units of social organization within a larger social area, such as a city or town.
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Urban decline is the process whereby a previously functioning city or neighborhood falls into disrepair.
![Thumbnail](../../../../../../figures.boundless-cdn.com/8496/square/eeper-2-by-david-shankbone.jpeg)
Homelessness is a social problem, caused by structural inequalities and lack of resources, where certain individuals are at higher risk.
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Alienation refers to the distancing of people from each other, from what is important and meaningful to them, or from themselves.
The term community refers to a group of interacting people, living in some proximity, either in space, time, or relationship.
![Thumbnail](../../../../../../figures.boundless-cdn.com/8501/square/assalto-av-atlantica-rio.jpeg)
Diffusion of responsibility is a phenomenon in which a person is less likely to take responsibility for an action when others are present.