Sociological Theory: August Comte

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Questions and Answers

What is organic solidarity?

Social integration arising from mutual reliance (correct)

A theory emphasizing individualism

Social cohesion based on shared beliefs

Uniform rules imposed on society

What does public sociology aim to achieve?

Engagement with wider audiences beyond academia.

What does queer theory reject?

Capitalist ideologies

Social integration

Traditional categories of gender and sexuality (correct)

Literary and cultural studies

Who pioneered rational choice theory?

George Homas Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of science?

The systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment. Signup and view all the answers

What does social construction of reality emphasize?

That reality is created through social interactions. Signup and view all the answers

What is sociological imagination?

The ability to think away from familiar routines and see life from a new perspective. Signup and view all the answers

What does structural-functional theory explain?

Why society functions the way it does through relationships between social institutions. Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of symbolic-interaction theory?

The symbolic meanings developed through social interactions. Signup and view all the answers

Who is Thorstein Veblen?

An American economist and sociologist known for his critique of capitalism. Signup and view all the answers

Who is known as the father of sociology?

Auguste Comte Signup and view all the answers

What theory did Emile Durkheim explore in his first major sociological work?

The Division of Labour in Society Signup and view all the answers

What are the three activities that George Herbert Mead stated develop the self?

Language, play, and games Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following works is NOT authored by Karl Marx?

The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism Signup and view all the answers

What major concept did Max Weber analyze in relation to capitalism?

Rationalization Signup and view all the answers

Who introduced feminist sociological perspectives into her writing?

Harriet Martineau Signup and view all the answers

What is anomie?

Social instability due to a breakdown of standards and values Signup and view all the answers

What does the term bureaucracy refer to?

A body of non-elective government officials and an administrative policy-making group Signup and view all the answers

What is critical theory?

A social theory oriented toward critiquing and changing society Signup and view all the answers

What do conflict theories emphasize in sociology?

Social, political, or material inequality Signup and view all the answers

What does division of labor refer to in sociology?

The range of tasks within a social system Signup and view all the answers

What is empirical investigation in sociology?

Signup and view all the answers

What does exchange theory focus on in social interactions?

Cost-benefit analysis in relationships Signup and view all the answers

What is feminist theory in sociology?

A perspective analyzing gender in relation to power Signup and view all the answers

What foundational question did George Simmel pose in his sociological approach?

What is society? Signup and view all the answers

What are latent functions in sociology?

Unintended results of an institution or phenomenon Signup and view all the answers

What are latent dysfunctions?

Unintended or unrecognized negative effects on society Signup and view all the answers

What does macrosociology focus on?

Large scale social systems and structures Signup and view all the answers

What are manifest functions?

Recognized and intended consequences of social patterns or institutions Signup and view all the answers

What is the materialist conception of history?

An explanation of social changes through class struggles Signup and view all the answers

What does microsociology study?

Everyday human social interactions on a small scale Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

August Comte

French philosopher (1798-1857) and founder of sociology; coined the term "sociology."
Developed theories of "social statics" (forces holding society together) and "social dynamics" (forces driving social change).
Influenced 19th-century thinkers such as Marx and Mill.
Proposed a "Religion of Humanity" and possibly coined the term "altruism."

Emile Durkheim

French sociologist (1858-1917); known as a principal architect of modern social science.
Focused on societal cohesion amidst modernity and the erosion of traditional ties.
Author of "The Division of Labour in Society" (1893), examining societal integration through specialization.

George Herbert Mead

American philosopher and sociologist (1863-1931); affiliated with the University of Chicago.
Known for his theory of the social self, which includes 'self,' 'me,' and 'I.'
The self develops through language (communication), play (role-taking), and games (understanding societal rules).

Karl Marx

Philosopher, economist, and revolutionary socialist (1818-1883).
Developed theories on labor relations and capitalism, published "The Communist Manifesto" (1848) and "Das Kapital" (1867-1894).
Emphasized class struggle as a driver of social change.

Max Weber

German sociologist (1864-1920) known for contributions to sociology, economics, and political theory.
Authored "The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism" linking religion to economic behavior.
Introduced types of authority: charismatic, traditional, and rational-legal; emphasized the role of bureaucracy in modern governance.

Harriet Martineau

English social theorist (1802-1876); considered the first female sociologist.
Critiqued social injustices including gender inequality, slavery, and worker rights.
Advocated for a holistic understanding of society, examining the intersection of politics, economics, and social life.

W.E.B. Du Bois

Prominent African-American civil rights activist (1868-1963); co-founder of the NAACP.
First African American to earn a Ph.D. from Harvard; wrote extensively on race and equality.
Supported Pan-Africanism and was a leading spokesperson for civil rights in the early 20th century.

Anomie

Refers to social instability stemming from a breakdown in societal standards and values.
Associated with personal unrest and feelings of alienation due to lack of purpose or ideals.

Bureaucracy (Weber)

Defined as a body of non-elected officials managing government administration or large institutions.
Emphasizes hierarchy, rules, and rational-legal authority in organizational structure.

Critical Theory

Developed by Max Horkheimer, focusing on critiquing and changing society rather than merely explaining it.
Aims to address power inequalities and social injustices.

Conflict Theory

A sociological perspective highlighting the inequalities and conflicts between social groups.
Challenges the assumptions of structural functionalism and ideological conservatism.

Division of Labor

Concept examined by Durkheim; refers to specialization in roles within society.
Promotes social cohesion through interdependence and cooperation in achieving societal needs.

Empirical Investigation

A research method focused on observation and experimentation to study social phenomena.

Exchange Theory

Proposes that human relationships are formed through a cost-benefit analysis of interactions.
Includes individual and group approaches to understanding social systems and interactions.

Feminist Theory

Examines the role of gender as it relates to power dynamics in society.
Addresses intersectionality concerning race, class, and other identities, aiming to improve women's status.

George Simmel

Early German sociologist known for analyzing social individuality and the web of interactions in society.
Challenged organicist theories, redirecting focus to how social forms emerge and evolve over time.

Latent Functions

Unintended and often unrecognized consequences of social institutions or phenomena.
Contrasts with manifest functions, which are intended and recognized effects.

Latent Dysfunctions

Unintended negative consequences of social institutions or actions, contrasting with recognized dysfunctions.

Macrosociology

Focuses on large-scale social systems and structures, aiming to identify trends and patterns in society.
Provides context for individual behaviors by examining broader cultural influences.

Manifest Functions

Recognized and intended consequences of social patterns or institutions that society expects or observes.

Manifest Dysfunctions

Unconscious, unintended negative effects of social phenomena; contrasts with intended functions.

Materialist Conception of History

Marx's theory explaining societal changes through class struggles and economic factors.
Analyzes historical transitions (e.g., from feudalism to capitalism) through a dialectical lens.

Microsociology

Centers on small-scale interactions and the agency of individuals in everyday life.
Studies social units within larger systems to understand nuanced social behaviors.

Organic Solidarity

Social cohesion arising from the interdependence of specialized roles within a complex society.
Relies on contractual relations and legal frameworks rather than uniformity in social norms.

Public Sociology

An approach aiming to engage wider audiences and transcend academic boundaries.
Represents a style of sociology that prioritizes public understanding and social engagement.

Queer Theory

Challenges traditional categories of gender and sexuality in cultural and literary studies.
Seeks to analyze the complexities of sexual identities beyond binary classifications.

Rational Choice Theory

Suggests that economic motives drive human behavior, with calculations of costs and benefits influencing decisions.
Pioneered by George Homans, forming a basis for understanding social interactions through economic principles.### Rational Choice Theory
Rational choice theorists increasingly utilize mathematical approaches in their analyses.
This theory has even influenced Marxists, who view it as foundational for a Marxist theory of class and exploitation.

Science

Science encompasses systematic study through observation and experiments.
It focuses on the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world.

Definition not provided, but generally refers to societal limits on individual actions and behaviors.

A 1966 seminal work by Peter L. Berger and Thomas Luckmann that introduced 'social construction' into social sciences.
Influenced by Alfred Schütz's ideas, emphasizing that individuals and groups create meanings through social interactions.
Concepts become habitual and institutionalized roles, shaping societal structures and beliefs.
The International Sociological Association recognized it as the fifth most important sociological book of the 20th century in 1998.

Sociological Imagination

Coined by C. Wright Mills, this concept refers to the ability to view everyday life from a new perspective.
Encourages individuals to step away from familiar routines to understand broader social contexts.

Structural-Functional Theory

Structural functionalism views society as a complex system working together for stability and solidarity.
Herbert Spencer and Robert Merton are key contributors to this theory.
It focuses on relationships between social institutions (e.g., government, religion) and their roles in society.

Symbolic-Interaction Theory

This perspective is significant in microsociology and social psychology.
Rooted in American pragmatism and the work of George Herbert Mead.
Emphasizes the symbolic meanings developed during social interactions, reflecting Max Weber's idea that individuals act based on their interpretations of the world.

Thorstein Veblen

Thorstein Veblen (1857-1929) was an American economist and social scientist known for an evolutionary approach to economic institutions.
Gained prominence with "The Theory of the Leisure Class" (1899), introducing concepts of "conspicuous consumption" and "pecuniary emulation."
Veblen was a critical voice against capitalism, highlighting behaviors that signify wealth and social status.
Pioneered the institutional economics movement and introduced the Veblenian dichotomy, distinguishing between institutions and technology.

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Description

Test your knowledge of August Comte, the French philosopher who founded sociology. Explore his contributions to social science and his impact on 19th-century thinkers. This quiz offers a deeper understanding of sociological theory.