Key People in Sociology

Question 1

Coined the word sociologie and developed the concept of positivism, aspiring to study society using the principles of science.

Answer 1

Auguste Comte (1798–1857)

Question 2

Observed that capitalism permitted the wealthy class of capitalist business owners (the bourgeoisie) to earn profits by exploiting the poorer class of workers (the proletariat).

Answer 2

Karl Marx (1818–1883)

Question 3

Expanded on Marx’s ideas with a greater focus on status groups and power, including how interest groups gain, hold, and exercise power.

Answer 3

Max Weber (1864–1920

Question 4

Argued that conflict has important social functions and can tighten the bonds of loosely structured groups and societies.

Answer 4

Lewis Coser (1913–2003

Question 5

advocates a fusion approach to sociology that illustrates the need to understand all of the main concepts of the discipline in order to be an effective sociologist.

Answer 5

Anthony Giddens (b. 1938)