Sociological Theory

What is a theory

A set of statements that seek to explain problems, actions, or behaviors,

Characteristics of a good theory

It has both explanatory and predictive power

Why is theory needed for research

Provides basic framework, enables testable predictions, points to gaps in knowledge, helps research be parsimonious (best explanation with lease variables)

What is the pyramid made up of

1) theory → 2) research → 3) policy

Who are the four pillars of sociology

Emile Durkheim, Max Weber, Karl Marx, W.E.B Dubois

Significance of Emile Durkheim

French sociologist, studied suicide (social context not just individual), and came up with the term Anomie which means a state of normlessness (loss of direction, loneliness, isolation, social controls are ineffective)

Significance of Max Weber

German sociologist, came up with term verstehen which means “understanding” (one wants to be insightful in intellectual work), also came up with Ideal Types which is a standard of evaluating specific cases (focuses on concepts that capture essence of activity, measuring Rod of phenomena)

Significance of Karl Marx

German sociologist, wrote Communist Manifesto (focus on struggle of social class), focused on how power is the root of inequality

Significance of W.E.B. Dubois

American sociologist, focused on the struggle between races, coined term double consciousness which means the division of one’s identity into two or more social realities, founded the NAACP

Description of functionalism theory

society is made up of parts and are structured to maintain stability, manifest functions, latent functions, dysfunction

Who was a key functionalist sociologist

Emile Durkheim

Manifest function

Intended stated function (going to university to get degree)

Latent function

Unintended, unconscious functions (finding spouse at university)

Dysfunction

Practices that disrupt society and reduce stability (homicide, gangs, drugs)

conflict perspectives

focuses on tension between groups over power and resource allocation

What are the three main views within conflict theory

Marxist (societal institutions help maintain privilege of some and keep others subservient), Feminist (inequality in gender is central to all behavior), Queer (study society from broad spectrum of sexual identities)

Interactionalism theory

Focuses on everyday forms of interaction, symbolic interactionism

What is symbolic interactionism

The idea that we live in a world of meaningful objects

Objects examples

people, relationships, symbols

symbols definition

Shared social meaning understood by all in society

Nonverbal communication examples

gestures, tattoos, eye contact, dress codes

Who founded interactionalism

George Herbert Mead

Significance of Charles Horton Cooley

Focused on small group networks (families, gangs), looked at how groups shape beliefs, values, and symbols, developed looking glass self

Significance of Robert Merton

Focused on poverty and how to achieve success, coined Macrosociology (large groups) and Microsociology (small groups)

Significance of Pierre Bourdieu

Focus on capital, developed 2 kinds of capital (cultural and social)

What is cultural capital

noneconomic goods (education, family background, skill and knowledge)

What is social capital

collective belief of social networks (based on reciprocal trust and friendship networks)