WGU C273 Introduction to Sociology Study Guide|2025 Update with
complete solution
Introduction to Sociology C273 Study Guide
Foundations of Sociology
Definition of Sociology: Sociology is the systematic study of society, social behavior, and
institutions, focusing on how societies are organized and how social relationships influence
individuals.
Fact vs. Social Fact:
Fact: Objective reality observable through evidence (e.g., temperature outside).
Social Fact: Patterns, norms, and institutions that exert control over individuals, introduced by
Émile Durkheim.
C. Wright Mills and Sociological Imagination:
Sociological Imagination: Understanding personal experiences in relation to broader social
forces, like connecting unemployment to economic trends.
Comparing Sociological Lens with Other Disciplines:
Psychology: Focuses on individual mental processes and behaviors.
Social Work: Provides direct support to improve individual and community well-being.
Key Sociological Theorists:
Auguste Comte: Founder of sociology and positivism. Proposed the Law of Three Stages
(Theological, Metaphysical, Positive).
Émile Durkheim: Founder of functionalism. Introduced social facts and studied suicide,
mechanical vs. organic solidarity.
Harriet Martineau: Early sociologist known for social reform advocacy and interpreting
Comte's work.
Jane Addams: Co-founder of Hull House, emphasized practical sociology and social justice.
Karl Marx: Developed conflict theory, analyzed capitalism and class struggle, co-authored the
Communist Manifesto.
Max Weber: Influenced symbolic interactionism, studied the Protestant Ethic and bureaucracy.
Herbert Spencer: Applied Social Darwinism to sociology, advocating for social evolution and
functionalism.
W.E.B. Du Bois: Introduced double consciousness, studied race relations, and co-founded the
,NAACP.
, Immanuel Wallerstein: Developed World-Systems Theory, analyzing global capitalist systems
and their impact.
Margaret Mead: Studied cultural anthropology and argued gender roles are culturally
constructed.
Charles Horton Cooley: Developed symbolic interactionism and the concept of the Looking
Glass Self.
George Herbert Mead: Expanded on symbolic interactionism, introduced Role Taking and
Generalized Other.
George Simmel: Studied group dynamics and social interaction, including dyads and triads.
Major Sociological Perspectives
Symbolic Interactionism:
Micro-level focus on daily interactions and meanings. Applied to identity formation and
communication.
Functionalism:
Macro-level focus on how social institutions contribute to stability and order. Applied to
institutional roles and societal cohesion.
Conflict Theory:
Macro-level focus on power struggles and inequalities. Applied to class conflicts and social
justice.
Feminist Theory:
Examines both macro and micro levels of gender inequality and seeks gender equality.
Research Methods
Quantitative Research:
Focuses on numerical data and statistical analysis for broad generalizations.
Qualitative Research:
Focuses on in-depth understanding of social phenomena through methods like interviews and
observations.
Research Methods Overview:
Survey: Collects data from large samples.
complete solution
Introduction to Sociology C273 Study Guide
Foundations of Sociology
Definition of Sociology: Sociology is the systematic study of society, social behavior, and
institutions, focusing on how societies are organized and how social relationships influence
individuals.
Fact vs. Social Fact:
Fact: Objective reality observable through evidence (e.g., temperature outside).
Social Fact: Patterns, norms, and institutions that exert control over individuals, introduced by
Émile Durkheim.
C. Wright Mills and Sociological Imagination:
Sociological Imagination: Understanding personal experiences in relation to broader social
forces, like connecting unemployment to economic trends.
Comparing Sociological Lens with Other Disciplines:
Psychology: Focuses on individual mental processes and behaviors.
Social Work: Provides direct support to improve individual and community well-being.
Key Sociological Theorists:
Auguste Comte: Founder of sociology and positivism. Proposed the Law of Three Stages
(Theological, Metaphysical, Positive).
Émile Durkheim: Founder of functionalism. Introduced social facts and studied suicide,
mechanical vs. organic solidarity.
Harriet Martineau: Early sociologist known for social reform advocacy and interpreting
Comte's work.
Jane Addams: Co-founder of Hull House, emphasized practical sociology and social justice.
Karl Marx: Developed conflict theory, analyzed capitalism and class struggle, co-authored the
Communist Manifesto.
Max Weber: Influenced symbolic interactionism, studied the Protestant Ethic and bureaucracy.
Herbert Spencer: Applied Social Darwinism to sociology, advocating for social evolution and
functionalism.
W.E.B. Du Bois: Introduced double consciousness, studied race relations, and co-founded the
,NAACP.
, Immanuel Wallerstein: Developed World-Systems Theory, analyzing global capitalist systems
and their impact.
Margaret Mead: Studied cultural anthropology and argued gender roles are culturally
constructed.
Charles Horton Cooley: Developed symbolic interactionism and the concept of the Looking
Glass Self.
George Herbert Mead: Expanded on symbolic interactionism, introduced Role Taking and
Generalized Other.
George Simmel: Studied group dynamics and social interaction, including dyads and triads.
Major Sociological Perspectives
Symbolic Interactionism:
Micro-level focus on daily interactions and meanings. Applied to identity formation and
communication.
Functionalism:
Macro-level focus on how social institutions contribute to stability and order. Applied to
institutional roles and societal cohesion.
Conflict Theory:
Macro-level focus on power struggles and inequalities. Applied to class conflicts and social
justice.
Feminist Theory:
Examines both macro and micro levels of gender inequality and seeks gender equality.
Research Methods
Quantitative Research:
Focuses on numerical data and statistical analysis for broad generalizations.
Qualitative Research:
Focuses on in-depth understanding of social phenomena through methods like interviews and
observations.
Research Methods Overview:
Survey: Collects data from large samples.
