
A theory is a set of interrelated concepts
used to describe, explain or predict how
society and its parts are related to each
other.
 Levels of analysis: micro vs. macro

August Comte advocated applying the
scientific method to the study of social
behavior.

Harriet Martineau advocated searching
beyond a one-sided truth.

Herbert Spencer advocated that Darwinism
could be applied to social life.

C. Wright Mills created the concept of the
sociological imagination.

Society is a unified whole that is able to
function because of the contributions of its
separate parts.

Each part of society influences and is
influenced by other parts.

Elements of society are functional if they
contribute to social stability and
dysfunctional if they disrupt social stability.
 Some aspects can be functional and
dysfunctional.
 Manifest functions and latent functions

He focused on what,
how, and why certain
factors created or
destroyed social bonds.
 Division of labor
 Suicides

Anomie refers to an
experience of weakened
social bonds / norms as
the result of rapid or
unexpected changes in
society.

Society is composed of different groups and interests
constantly competing for power and resources.
 Groups with power benefit from the current social
arrangement, so they work to preserve it.
 Power if often achieved at the expense of other groups;
resources are not distributed equally.
 Equitable power and resource distribution can only come
about from social change.

He focused on how
inequality between
social classes was the
result of exploitation in
our capitalist system.

Profit-seeking and labor
competition has created
two disparate social
classes: the bourgeoisie
and the proletariat.

Hegemony refers to the ideological
component to domination that involves
ruling over those who give voluntary
consent.
 All social institutions serve the interests of the
bourgeoisie.
▪ Distractions and less important interests keep the
exploited masses occupied.
 The necessary shift for social change:
 False consciousness   Class consciousness

He focused on how
rational economic logic
was being applied to
social processes.

Rationalization
processes in the forms
of social structures are
called bureaucracies.
 Increasing amounts of
bureaucracies will lead
to an iron cage society.

Human behavior is influenced by definitions
and meanings that are created and maintained
through interaction with others.

We act/react based on the definition of the
situation, which is subjective rather than
objective.
 We act toward things/people on the
basis of the meanings we assign to
them.
▪ We must teach, learn and share meanings.
▪ Meanings can be modified.

He suggested that
we shape our
actions based on
imagined responses
we attribute to those
we are going to
interact with. This is
called taking the
attitude of the
other.