Visual sociology is concerned with the significance of moving or static images for society. Connections can be made to classical sociological theories (Goffman, Simmel, Schütz, Foucault, Bourdieu), which are supplemented by concepts from visual studies based on symbol theories, phenomenology, cultural studies, etc. Artefact analysis is used in empirical social science research to understand the significance of objects for people, their behaviour and their social life. Artefacts often serve as a starting point for the use of other methods, such as narrative interviews.
