Key Sociologists and Sociology Theories

Structural-Functional Theory

Views society as an interconnected system in which institutions, relationships, norms, and societal roles have key roles in the continuation of society

Structural Functional

What theory of Sociology did Auguste Comte follow?

Auguste Comte

Which key sociologist created the term “Sociology”?

Symbolic Interaction Theory

Focuses on how humans interact with their society (and vice versa) and what it means

Social Conflict Theory

Claims that society will be perpetually in conflict due to unequal resources, and will be inherently competition-driven and unequal; conflict is bad; conflict is necessary to drive change

Social Physics

What was the original name that Auguste Comte gave Sociology?

Auguste Comte

Which key sociologist proposed that human thinking evolves through 3 stages?

Theological Stage

One of Comte’s defined stages of thought focusing on supernatural and spiritual forces as well as divine influence

Metaphysical Stage

One of Comte’s defined stages of thought focusing on abstract forces, natural rights, and philosophical principles

Positive Stage

One of Comte’s defined stages of thought focusing on observation, comparison, scientific laws, and experimentation; purely relies on concrete facts and data; fully intellectual stage of thought and worldview

Harriet Martineau

Which key sociologist was the first female sociologist and one of the first feminists?

Harriet Martineau

Which key sociologist translated Auguste Comte’s work from French to English?

Harriet Martineau

Which female sociologist saw a link between women’s oppression and slavery?

Harriet Martineau

Which key sociologist is considered the “Mother of Sociology”?

Which key sociologist created Gender-Conflict Theory (inequality between men and women + oppression)?

Herbert Spencer

Which key sociologist is known for shaping structural functionalism with his early writings?

Herbert Spencer

Which key sociologist is known for developing the idea of Social Darwinism (strong societies rise, weak societies decline)?

Herbert Spencer

Which key sociologist created the organic analogy (compared an organism to society — both grow from simple structures into complex systems)?

Which key sociologist differentiated between militant societies (more aggressive, constant social control) and industrial societies (more everyday level control)

Social Conflict Theory

What theory of Sociology did Harriet Martineau follow?

Structural-Functional

What theory of sociology did Herbert Spencer follow

Social Conflict Theory

What theory of Sociology did Karl Marx follow?

Karl Marx

Which key sociologist wrote the Communist Manifesto?

Karl Marx

Which key sociologist believed that human societies develop through class conflict over economic resources, and that the working class would eventually revolt against Capitalism and the rich and create a communist society?

Labor Theory of Value

What theory of Karl Marx states that the economic value of something is determined by the socially necessary labor time necessary to produce or promote it?

Historical Materialism

Which theory of Karl Marx states that human societies and cultural institutions develop from the fundamental way that material goods are produced and distributed by people?

Structural Functional

Which theory of Sociology did Emile Durkheim follow?

Emile Durkheim

Which key sociologist taught that social structures existed independently from individuals and work together to maintain social order and stability (functionalism)?

Organic Solidarity

Teaching of Emile Durkheim — people are mutually dependent upon each other, and this creates social unity; people rely on each other through division of labor

Mechanical Solidarity

Teaching of Emile Durkheim — Social integration of a society’s members who share values and beliefs; people held together by uniform work

Emile Durkheim

Which key sociologist founded the first European sociological department at the University of Bordeaux in 1887?

Emile Durkheim

Which key sociologist was the first to use statistical data in Sociology and to study suicide in depth?

Symbolic Interaction

Which theory of Sociology did Max Weber follow?

Max Weber

Which key sociologist established the modern interpretive Sociology by linking human culture, social action, and religion to the ideas of Capitalism and Rationalism?

Max Weber

Which key sociologist developed the idea of “Verstehen" (an empathetic and interpretive approach to studying and understanding the behavior of humans)?

Max Weber

Which key sociologist expanded Marxist Theory by adding a three-part theory of class (wealth), status (social prestige), and party (political power)?

Max Weber

Which key sociologist taught that society is made up of what people do and say while focusing on the individualization of societies’ social interactions?

Social Conflict

Which theory of Sociology did Jane Addams follow?

Jane Addams

Which key sociologist was a reformer and activist who was an important member of the settlement house movement in the late 1900s?

Jane Addams

Which key sociologist helped poor immigrant families through co-founding the Hull House in 1889, and later went on to speak and write about about it?

Jane Addams

Which key Sociologist was a founding member of both the National Child Labor Committee and the NAACP?

Jane Addams

Which key sociologist was known for believing in equality and fighting for the rights of the poor?

Jane Addams

Which key sociologist was the first American woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, specifically for her social reform work and peace activism

Social Conflict

Which theory of Sociology did W.E.B. Du Bois follow?

W.E.B. Du Bois

Which key sociologist identified race as a primary driver of social inequality?

W.E.B. Du Bois

Which key sociologist authored foundational analyses addressing racial segregation’s impacts?

W.E.B. Du Bois

Which key sociologist argued that systemic inequality causes marginalized groups to lose their native culture?

W.E.B. Du Bois

Which key sociologist co-founded the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)?