Sociological Thinkers Flashcards

Who focused on the 'glue' which holds society together?

What did Karl Marx consider to be the most important determinant for society?

What concept did Max Weber create for understanding society?

What did Max Weber study in relation to capitalism?

What does C.Wright Mills believe is necessary to study society effectively?

What is the most important concept C.Wright Mills believed about society?

What method did Clifford Geertz advocate for understanding symbols in life?

What aspect of modern societies did Karl Marx argue was most important?

What did Emile Durkheim believe about the functions of society?

What condition did Emile Durkheim describe as feeling lost in society?

What concept did Max Weber create to explain societal tools?

How did Clifford Geertz perceive culture?

What types of decisions did Max Weber categorize?

Emile Durkheim

Focused on social cohesion, emphasizing the role of rituals in uniting society.
Introduced the concept of "anomie," describing a state of normlessness leading to feelings of disconnection.
Identified "manifest" and "latent" functions of social phenomena, highlighting unintended consequences.

Karl Marx

Argued that economics is the primary social determinant influencing society.
Stressed the importance of class struggle as a catalyst for societal revolution and change.
Discussed alienation in the workplace, advocating for the development of class consciousness among workers.

Max Weber

Proposed the concept of "verstehen," stressing the need to understand individuals' perceptions in analyzing society.
Suggested that cultural factors, exemplified by Puritan ideals, significantly influence economic systems.
Developed the idea of "ideal types" as tools for social scientists to explain societal phenomena.
Categorized human decisions into four types: value-oriented, goal-oriented, emotional, and traditional.

C. Wright Mills

Advocated for the development of "sociological imagination" to effectively study society.
Emphasized the interconnectedness of history and biography as key elements in understanding societal dynamics.

Clifford Geertz

Promoted "thick description" as a methodological approach to uncover the social significance of symbols in daily life.
Viewed culture as semiotic, emphasizing the interpretation of symbols in understanding societal structures.

Test your knowledge on key sociological thinkers with these flashcards. Explore the ideas of Emile Durkheim, Karl Marx, and Max Weber, and understand their contributions to sociology. This quiz is perfect for students wanting to deepen their understanding of foundational sociological concepts.