Exam 1: People + Theories!

Herbert Spencer

• Social Darwinism: natural order where the fittest rise to the top; the poor are seen as weak and left behind.

• Interfering with natural order through charity or welfare is viewed as counterproductive to social order.

Karl Marx

• Central question: “How does private property lead to social issues?”

• emphasizes that material relations and the modes of production directly shape societal structures, leading to class struggles and inherent conflicts, which are crucial in understanding the dynamics of power and inequality within capitalist society

Emile Durkheim

• Focus: social order, solidarity, and the maintenance of social cohesion; helped establish sociology as an academic discipline.

• Key contributions: Collective conscience, social solidarity, religion and the sacred/profane, suicide studies.

• Central question: “What keeps society together?”

Max Weber

• Central question: “How does the shift from traditional to rational thought/action affect society?”

• The transition from traditional to rational thought fundamentally impacts societal structures by promoting efficiency and predictability, while also challenging established norms and values.

Who where the big 3?

Karl Marx, Emile Durkheim, Max Weber

What where the three grad theories?

structural functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism.

structural functionalism

A sociological perspective that sees society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote stability and social order. It emphasizes the functions of social structures and their role in maintaining the whole.

conflict theory

A sociological framework that views society as composed of groups competing for limited resources and power. It emphasizes the role of social inequality and the conflicts that arise from differing interests among social classes.

symbolic interactionism

A sociological perspective that focuses on the ways individuals create meaning through social interactions. It emphasizes the importance of symbols and language in shaping human behavior and society.

Comte

was a French philosopher known as the father of sociology. He introduced the concept of positivism and emphasized the study of society through scientific methods.

Harriet Martineau

A pioneering British sociologist and writer, often considered the first female sociologist. She made significant contributions to sociology, advocating for social justice and the rights of women and minorities.

WEB Du Bois

was an American sociologist, historian, and civil rights activist who co-founded the NAACP. He was a prominent leader in advocating for African American rights and is known for his work on race relations.

Mills

was an American sociologist best known for his concept of the "sociological imagination," which encourages understanding individual experiences within broader social contexts. He critiqued power structures and promoted social change.

Ann Swindler

is an American sociologist known for her work on culture and social change. She focuses on how people use cultural resources to navigate social life and influence social structures.

Pierre Bourdieu

was a French sociologist known for his theories on social capital, cultural capital, and habitus. His work emphasized the relationship between culture, power, and social inequality.