Sheryl's mom always screamed whenever she saw a spider. sheryl now has the same reaction to spiders. according to some theorists, sheryl acquired the behavior pattern by watching her mom, called

Sheryl has acquired these behaviours from her Mum through "Inherited Traits." Children tend to ape their parents or predominant care givers as they age and these traits will manifest themselves in their own lives even though it is not their fear or phobia.

The best sociological research method would have to be using experiments although it has some disadvantages as well