sociologists and their theories

George Herbert Mead

Symbolic interactionism; believed the self develops through social interaction and role-taking.

Erving Goffman

Dramaturgical theory; people act differently depending on social situations ("life is like a stage").

Émile Durkheim

Functionalism; social facts and social solidarity hold society together.

Karl Marx

Marxism; class conflict between bourgeoisie and proletariat drives social change.

Émile Durkheim

Positivism; sociology should use scientific methods and statistics.

Max Weber

Interpretivism and verstehen; understanding meanings behind actions.

Harriet Martineau

Early feminist sociology; studied inequality and women’s rights.

Auguste Comte

Founder of positivism; believed sociology should be scientific.

Talcott Parsons

Functionalism; family/social institutions maintain stability and value consensus.

Eli Zaretsky

Marxist feminism; family supports capitalism and reproduces inequality.

Ann Oakley

Feminism; gender roles are socially constructed through socialization.