theorist more detail

Marxism

A theory that focuses on the role of class struggle, economic systems, and power dynamics in shaping society.

Bourgeoisie

The class of owners of the means of production, such as factories and land.

Proletariat

The working class who sell their labor to survive.

Historical Materialism

Marx's belief that history progresses through stages driven by changes in the economic base of society.

Class Struggle

The conflict between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat, which is fundamental to Marx's theory.

Alienation

A sense of disconnection experienced by workers in capitalist societies from the products of their labor.

Communism

Marx's goal of establishing a classless, stateless society where wealth is distributed according to need.

Functionalism

A sociological theory that emphasizes how societal structures contribute to stability and order.

Social Fact

Aspects of social life that exist outside individuals but shape and influence their behavior.

Division of Labor

The way work is divided in society, affecting social cohesion.

Mechanical Solidarity

Social cohesion based on shared values and common experiences in small, traditional societies.

Organic Solidarity

Social cohesion based on interdependence of specialized roles in modern societies.

Suicide (Durkheim)

Analyzed how social factors influence individual behavior, linking higher suicide rates to social isolation.

Structural Functionalism

A theory that views society as a complex system made up of interconnected parts contributing to stability.

AGIL Framework

Parsons' framework outlining four functions: Adaptation, Goal attainment, Integration, Latency.

Gender Roles

Socially constructed roles that dictate the expected behavior and responsibilities of men and women.

Feminist Theory

A theoretical perspective that critiques gender inequality and advocates for women's rights.

Sociology of Housework

Oakley's analysis of the undervaluation of women's unpaid domestic work.

Correspondence Principle

The idea that school structures reflect labor market structures, teaching students to accept authority.

Reproduction of Inequality

The process by which the education system reinforces existing social inequalities across generations.

Cultural Capital

Skills, manners, and values passed on within families that affect success in education and labor.

Hidden Curriculum

Informal lessons learned in schools that prepare students for roles in the capitalist system.

Collective Consciousness

The set of shared beliefs and values that maintain social order.

Conflict Theory

A theoretical perspective that emphasizes the role of power and coercion in society.

Social Solidarity

The bonds that unite members of a society.

Labor Theory of Value

Marx's theory that the value of a commodity is determined by the amount of socially necessary labor time.

Proletarian Revolution

The uprising of the working class against the bourgeoisie to establish a communist society.

Economic Base

The way production is organized in society, which determines the structure of other institutions.

Surplus Value

The difference between what workers are paid and the value of what they produce, which benefits the bourgeoisie.

Social Institutions

Established systems that organize society's activities and norms, such as family, education, and economy.

Marginalization

The process whereby certain groups are pushed to the edges of society, limiting their access to resources.

Social Norms

Rules and expectations by which society guides the behavior of its members.

Crisis of Capitalism

Marx's idea that capitalism is prone to crises that lead to economic downturns and social upheaval.

Ideology

A set of beliefs and values that justify the interests of a certain class.

Revolutionary Consciousness

Awareness among the proletariat that their conditions are unjust and that they can change the system.

Radical Feminism

A perspective that views patriarchy as a universal system that oppresses women.

Social Mobility

The ability to move up or down the social ladder within a society.

Socialization

The process through which individuals learn and internalize the norms and values of their society.

Normative Behavior

Actions that align with the accepted standards of society.

Ethical Norms

Standards that dictate what is considered right or wrong behavior in society.

Status Quo

The existing state of affairs, particularly regarding social or political issues.

Class Consciousness

Awareness of one's social class and the roles and relationships that accompany it.

Inequality

The uneven distribution of resources and opportunities in society.

Social Cohesion

The strength of relationships and the sense of solidarity among members of a society.

Collective Action

People working together to achieve a common objective.

Agency

The capacity of individuals to act independently and make their own choices.

Structural Inequality

Inequalities that are built into the structures of society.

Intersectionality

A framework for understanding how various forms of social stratification overlap.

Positivism

The belief that knowledge should be based on empirical evidence and scientific methods.

Deductive Reasoning

A logical process in which a conclusion follows necessarily from the stated premises.

Inductive Reasoning

A logical process in which generalizations are formed based on specific observations.

Sociocultural Influences

The effects that society and culture have on individual behavior and attitudes.

Disenfranchisement

The removal of rights or privileges, particularly the right to vote.

Political Economy

The study of the relationships between individuals, society, markets, and government.

Collective Identity

A shared sense of belonging to a group.

Social Critique

An analysis of society that seeks to identify injustices and propose changes.

Cultural Sociology

The study of how culture influences social life.

Globalization

The process of increasing interconnectedness and interdependence among countries.

Postmodernism

A theoretical perspective that challenges traditional narratives and embraces ambiguity and diversity.

Cyber Sociology

The study of social behavior in the context of digital communication.

Psychosocial Perspective

An approach that examines the psychological effects of social phenomena.

Public Sociology

The practice of sociology that engages with public issues and seeks to make knowledge accessible.

Sociological Imagination

The ability to see the relationship between individual experiences and larger social forces.

Majority Group

A social group that holds a dominant position in society.

Minority Group

A social group that is marginalized or has less power compared to the majority group.

Social exclusion

The process by which individuals or groups are systematically barred from meaningful participation in society.