Important Sociology Theorists

Question 1

First woman sociologist; believed sociologists should not just study, but use their knowledge to promote change; used observation as part of her research

Answer 1

Harriet Martineau

Question 2

The theory put forth by Robert K. Merton and other functionalists stating that society is an organism which contains many parts, and each part has a specific function.

Answer 2

Functionalist Perspective

Question 3

A theory by Comte that says societies have scientific laws and principles, similar to science.

Answer 3

Positivism

Question 4

Sociologist who believed that individual issues could be connected to societal problems; saw knowledge as a critical part of implementing social change.

Answer 4

C. Wright Mills

Question 5

The sociological perspective by Erving Goffman that uses normal, everyday behavior and the interactions between people to explain larger phenomenon in society.

Answer 5

Symbolic Interaction Perspective

Question 6

explain why society or people function in certain manners or why certain changes occur.

Answer 6

Theories

Question 7

An important socialist thinker who believed you could understand society by understanding the struggles between the poor and the rich.

Answer 7

Karl Marx

Question 8

Type of society where people are nomadic and rely on food that is available from nature, rather than producing it.

Answer 8

Hunter-Gatherer

Question 9

A sociologist who focused on studying society and how to make it more equal and just; was one of the founders of the NAACP.

Answer 9

W.E.B. Du Bois

Question 10

false consciousness; creation of labor unions; the presence of contradictry political ideologies; the rise of Communism

Answer 10

Reasons why Marx’s working-class revolution failed in larger countries

Question 11

Our current society, which is characterized by consumer goods and media, with a large emphasis with a use of technology.

Answer 11

Postmodern Society

Question 12

1. Imagining how we present ourselves to other people
2. Imagining how others view us
3. Developing a sense of self based on our perception of what others think

Answer 12

The three stages of development according to the Looking Glass Self Theory

Question 13

Representations of concepts and beliefs in a society

Answer 13

Symbols

Question 14

this is the theory by Erving Goffman that social interaction can be viewed as a theatrical performance.

Answer 14

Dramaturgical Approach

Question 15

was a sociologist who studied human behavior. He coined the concept of primary groups, was a founder of the interactionist perspective, and created the theory of the looking glass self.

Answer 15

Charles Horton Cooley

Question 16

theory by WEB Du Bois Feeling like your identity is split into multiple parts, making it hard to understand your true identity. describe the experience of blacks in a predominantly white U.S.

Answer 16

Double Consciousness

Question 17

Characteristics include: formal hierarchy, rules and regulations, specialized division of work, impersonal relationship between managers and workers, competence-based rewards, formal records.

Answer 17

Bureaucratic Organizations (according to Max Weber)

Question 18

The theory that people will use their own prejudices to decide that other people are at fault for their problems.

Answer 18

Scapegoat Theory

Question 19

The division of a large population into smaller, interdependent units

Answer 19

Organic Solidarity

Question 20

theory by Herbert Spencer that those people who are the strongest will be most successful in society and the weaker should be left to die out. Based on Darwin’s theory of evolution.

Answer 20

Social Darwinism

Question 21

The stage of society where most people believe that events that happen in the world can be explained using scientific principles.

Answer 21

The Scientific Stage

Question 22

the process of change involving a society’s level of innovation, transmission and technological advances.

Answer 22

sociocultural evolution