Modern technology has helped to bring the world’s diverse peoples closer together. Because the world is getting smaller, the chances for interaction among people from different cultures are increasing. American communities include various groups of peoples called ethnic groups, who often are also minorities.

Organizing information to help people understand the world around them is the role of social scientists. They study the interaction of people and society using disciplines such as history, economics, and geography. They examine culture, or the way of life of a group of people who share similar beliefs and customs; how culture spreads from one area to another through cultural borrowing and cultural diffusion; and a people’s government, religion, and economic system.

Several patterns have emerged in today’s world. Many people have moved from farms and villages to live in cities—a pattern called urbanization—often to seek better jobs. The world’s rapid population growth has resulted in shortages of food, land, housing, and freshwater for some people. Cooperation has become increasingly important as the countries of the world become more and more interdependent. Technology is a valuable tool in promoting understanding and cooperation, but it must be shared among all countries to be truly effective.