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lexi
11/24/2025
Sociology
Introduction to sociologists & social sciences
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Nov 24, 2025
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Understanding Sociology and Important Sociologists of the 1800s
lexi
@lexibailey7
1 / 4
Development of Sociology
Sociology developed during a time of major political upheaval in Europe and America. The American and French Revolutions brought new focus on individual liberties and rights, inspiring scholars to examine society more methodically.
Auguste Comte is considered sociology's founder. He focused on social order and social stages, establishing the foundation for this new science. Harriet Martineau reviewed American society and believed scholars should actively work to improve society, not just study it. She also translated Comte's work, helping spread his ideas.
Herbert Spencer compared society to a biological organism, while Karl Marx linked social conditions to economic systems. Marx believed economic imbalance would inevitably lead to conflict. Emile Durkheim developed the first sociology class in France and applied scientific methods to study observable aspects of society.
💡 Durkheim introduced the concept of "function"—the consequence an element of society produces for maintaining the social system. This idea remains central to understanding how society's parts work together.
Understanding Sociology
Sociology is a science based on the understanding that "the social matters"—our lives are shaped not just by our personal characteristics, but by our place in the social world. This perspective helps explain why people with similar talents might have vastly different outcomes.
The sociological imagination, a concept developed by C. Wright Mills, is the ability to look beyond individual success or failure and recognize how society influences outcomes. It helps you see connections between your personal experiences and larger social forces.
Two important concepts in sociology are solidarity (the level of connection a person feels to others) and social control (the mechanisms that regulate a person's actions). These concepts help explain how societies maintain order.
💡 When you use your sociological imagination, you're developing a superpower that lets you see invisible social patterns that most people miss in everyday life!
Theoretical Perspectives
Functionalism views society as a system of interconnected parts working together. This macro-level perspective examines how social structures affect society's stability. Functionalists believe social institutions like family, economy, education, and government serve specific purposes that maintain social order. Key functionalist theorists include Auguste Comte, Herbert Spencer, Emile Durkheim, and Robert Merton.
Conflict theory sees society as engaged in an ongoing struggle for scarce resources. This perspective focuses on issues of race, gender, social class, and power dynamics. Conflict theorists are primarily concerned with economic wealth and power distribution. Important conflict theorists include Karl Marx, Harriet Martineau, W.E.B. du Bois, and Jane Addams.
Symbolic interactionism examines how people create meaning through social interactions. Key theorists include George Herbert Mead, Herbert Blumer, and Erving Goffman.
💡 Think of these three perspectives as different camera lenses—each gives you a unique view of the same social landscape. Great sociologists often use multiple perspectives to gain a complete understanding.
Key Sociological Thinkers
Herbert Spencer applied Darwin's theory of natural selection to society, viewing social groups as biological organisms that evolve, thrive, or die. This thinking led to Social Darwinism, the controversial idea that "strong" societies survive while "weak" ones become extinct.
Emile Durkheim pioneered data-driven sociology, using statistics to test social theories. His research revealed that solidarity—the connections between people—is essential for holding society together. When these bonds weaken, social problems emerge.
Karl Marx analyzed capitalism's class structure, identifying the bourgeoisie (wealthy business owners) and the proletariat (working poor). Marx believed this system created inherent conflict as workers struggled against exploitation.
💡 W.E.B. du Bois and Jane Addams expanded sociology beyond economic systems to examine how race and gender affect social experiences. Their work shows that social problems like poverty often result from discrimination and structural barriers, not individual failings.
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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
I think it’s very much worth it and you’ll end up using it a lot once you get the hang of it and even after looking at others notes you can still ask your Artificial intelligence buddy the question and ask to simplify it if you still don’t get it!!! In the end I think it’s worth it 😊👍 ⚠️Also DID I MENTION ITS FREEE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND STILL GET YOUR GRADES IN PERFECTLY❗️❗️⚠️
Thomas R
iOS user
Knowunity is the BEST app I’ve used in a minute. This is not an ai review or anything this is genuinely coming from a 7th grade student (I know 2011 im young) but dude this app is a 10/10 i have maintained a 3.8 gpa and have plenty of time for gaming. I love it and my mom is just happy I got good grades
Brad T
Android user
Not only did it help me find the answer but it also showed me alternative ways to solve it. I was horrible in math and science but now I have an a in both subjects. Thanks for the help🤍🤍
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
I found this app a couple years ago and it has only gotten better since then. I really love it because it can help with written questions and photo questions. Also, it can find study guides that other people have made as well as flashcard sets and practice tests. The free version is also amazing for students who might not be able to afford it. Would 100% recommend
Aubrey
iOS user
Best app if you're in Highschool or Junior high. I have been using this app for 2 school years and it's the best, it's good if you don't have anyone to help you with school work.😋🩷🎀
Marco B
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This app is phenomenal down to the correct info and the various topics you can study! I greatly recommend it for people who struggle with procrastination and those who need homework help. It has been perfectly accurate for world 1 history as far as I’ve seen! Geometry too!
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
I think it’s very much worth it and you’ll end up using it a lot once you get the hang of it and even after looking at others notes you can still ask your Artificial intelligence buddy the question and ask to simplify it if you still don’t get it!!! In the end I think it’s worth it 😊👍 ⚠️Also DID I MENTION ITS FREEE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND STILL GET YOUR GRADES IN PERFECTLY❗️❗️⚠️
Thomas R
iOS user
Knowunity is the BEST app I’ve used in a minute. This is not an ai review or anything this is genuinely coming from a 7th grade student (I know 2011 im young) but dude this app is a 10/10 i have maintained a 3.8 gpa and have plenty of time for gaming. I love it and my mom is just happy I got good grades
Brad T
Android user
Not only did it help me find the answer but it also showed me alternative ways to solve it. I was horrible in math and science but now I have an a in both subjects. Thanks for the help🤍🤍
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
I found this app a couple years ago and it has only gotten better since then. I really love it because it can help with written questions and photo questions. Also, it can find study guides that other people have made as well as flashcard sets and practice tests. The free version is also amazing for students who might not be able to afford it. Would 100% recommend
Aubrey
iOS user
Best app if you're in Highschool or Junior high. I have been using this app for 2 school years and it's the best, it's good if you don't have anyone to help you with school work.😋🩷🎀
Marco B
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This app is phenomenal down to the correct info and the various topics you can study! I greatly recommend it for people who struggle with procrastination and those who need homework help. It has been perfectly accurate for world 1 history as far as I’ve seen! Geometry too!
Paul T
iOS user
Understanding Sociology and Important Sociologists of the 1800s
lexi
@lexibailey7
Sociology emerged in Europe during the late 1700s and 1800s as scholars began to systematically study how society works. This field examines how social structures influence individual lives and explores the connections between personal experiences and broader social forces.
Development of Sociology
Sociology developed during a time of major political upheaval in Europe and America. The American and French Revolutions brought new focus on individual liberties and rights, inspiring scholars to examine society more methodically.
Auguste Comte is considered sociology's founder. He focused on social order and social stages, establishing the foundation for this new science. Harriet Martineau reviewed American society and believed scholars should actively work to improve society, not just study it. She also translated Comte's work, helping spread his ideas.
Herbert Spencer compared society to a biological organism, while Karl Marx linked social conditions to economic systems. Marx believed economic imbalance would inevitably lead to conflict. Emile Durkheim developed the first sociology class in France and applied scientific methods to study observable aspects of society.
💡 Durkheim introduced the concept of "function"—the consequence an element of society produces for maintaining the social system. This idea remains central to understanding how society's parts work together.
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Understanding Sociology
Sociology is a science based on the understanding that "the social matters"—our lives are shaped not just by our personal characteristics, but by our place in the social world. This perspective helps explain why people with similar talents might have vastly different outcomes.
The sociological imagination, a concept developed by C. Wright Mills, is the ability to look beyond individual success or failure and recognize how society influences outcomes. It helps you see connections between your personal experiences and larger social forces.
Two important concepts in sociology are solidarity (the level of connection a person feels to others) and social control (the mechanisms that regulate a person's actions). These concepts help explain how societies maintain order.
💡 When you use your sociological imagination, you're developing a superpower that lets you see invisible social patterns that most people miss in everyday life!
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Theoretical Perspectives
Functionalism views society as a system of interconnected parts working together. This macro-level perspective examines how social structures affect society's stability. Functionalists believe social institutions like family, economy, education, and government serve specific purposes that maintain social order. Key functionalist theorists include Auguste Comte, Herbert Spencer, Emile Durkheim, and Robert Merton.
Conflict theory sees society as engaged in an ongoing struggle for scarce resources. This perspective focuses on issues of race, gender, social class, and power dynamics. Conflict theorists are primarily concerned with economic wealth and power distribution. Important conflict theorists include Karl Marx, Harriet Martineau, W.E.B. du Bois, and Jane Addams.
Symbolic interactionism examines how people create meaning through social interactions. Key theorists include George Herbert Mead, Herbert Blumer, and Erving Goffman.
💡 Think of these three perspectives as different camera lenses—each gives you a unique view of the same social landscape. Great sociologists often use multiple perspectives to gain a complete understanding.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Key Sociological Thinkers
Herbert Spencer applied Darwin's theory of natural selection to society, viewing social groups as biological organisms that evolve, thrive, or die. This thinking led to Social Darwinism, the controversial idea that "strong" societies survive while "weak" ones become extinct.
Emile Durkheim pioneered data-driven sociology, using statistics to test social theories. His research revealed that solidarity—the connections between people—is essential for holding society together. When these bonds weaken, social problems emerge.
Karl Marx analyzed capitalism's class structure, identifying the bourgeoisie (wealthy business owners) and the proletariat (working poor). Marx believed this system created inherent conflict as workers struggled against exploitation.
💡 W.E.B. du Bois and Jane Addams expanded sociology beyond economic systems to examine how race and gender affect social experiences. Their work shows that social problems like poverty often result from discrimination and structural barriers, not individual failings.
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI companion is specifically built for the needs of students. Based on the millions of content pieces we have on the platform we can provide truly meaningful and relevant answers to students. But its not only about answers, the companion is even more about guiding students through their daily learning challenges, with personalised study plans, quizzes or content pieces in the chat and 100% personalisation based on the students skills and developments.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app in the Google Play Store and in the Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
I think it’s very much worth it and you’ll end up using it a lot once you get the hang of it and even after looking at others notes you can still ask your Artificial intelligence buddy the question and ask to simplify it if you still don’t get it!!! In the end I think it’s worth it 😊👍 ⚠️Also DID I MENTION ITS FREEE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND STILL GET YOUR GRADES IN PERFECTLY❗️❗️⚠️
Thomas R
iOS user
Knowunity is the BEST app I’ve used in a minute. This is not an ai review or anything this is genuinely coming from a 7th grade student (I know 2011 im young) but dude this app is a 10/10 i have maintained a 3.8 gpa and have plenty of time for gaming. I love it and my mom is just happy I got good grades
Brad T
Android user
Not only did it help me find the answer but it also showed me alternative ways to solve it. I was horrible in math and science but now I have an a in both subjects. Thanks for the help🤍🤍
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
I found this app a couple years ago and it has only gotten better since then. I really love it because it can help with written questions and photo questions. Also, it can find study guides that other people have made as well as flashcard sets and practice tests. The free version is also amazing for students who might not be able to afford it. Would 100% recommend
Aubrey
iOS user
Best app if you're in Highschool or Junior high. I have been using this app for 2 school years and it's the best, it's good if you don't have anyone to help you with school work.😋🩷🎀
Marco B
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This app is phenomenal down to the correct info and the various topics you can study! I greatly recommend it for people who struggle with procrastination and those who need homework help. It has been perfectly accurate for world 1 history as far as I’ve seen! Geometry too!
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
I think it’s very much worth it and you’ll end up using it a lot once you get the hang of it and even after looking at others notes you can still ask your Artificial intelligence buddy the question and ask to simplify it if you still don’t get it!!! In the end I think it’s worth it 😊👍 ⚠️Also DID I MENTION ITS FREEE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND STILL GET YOUR GRADES IN PERFECTLY❗️❗️⚠️
Thomas R
iOS user
Knowunity is the BEST app I’ve used in a minute. This is not an ai review or anything this is genuinely coming from a 7th grade student (I know 2011 im young) but dude this app is a 10/10 i have maintained a 3.8 gpa and have plenty of time for gaming. I love it and my mom is just happy I got good grades
Brad T
Android user
Not only did it help me find the answer but it also showed me alternative ways to solve it. I was horrible in math and science but now I have an a in both subjects. Thanks for the help🤍🤍
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
I found this app a couple years ago and it has only gotten better since then. I really love it because it can help with written questions and photo questions. Also, it can find study guides that other people have made as well as flashcard sets and practice tests. The free version is also amazing for students who might not be able to afford it. Would 100% recommend
Aubrey
iOS user
Best app if you're in Highschool or Junior high. I have been using this app for 2 school years and it's the best, it's good if you don't have anyone to help you with school work.😋🩷🎀
Marco B
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This app is phenomenal down to the correct info and the various topics you can study! I greatly recommend it for people who struggle with procrastination and those who need homework help. It has been perfectly accurate for world 1 history as far as I’ve seen! Geometry too!
Paul T
iOS user