Free Sociological Theory Essay Examples & Topics

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A sociological theory is a framework of thought. We use ideas and concepts to explain how the social world functions and interacts. We ask questions about the process of social change or the essence of social hierarchies. Sociological theories also tackle social problems and conflicts in society and offer solutions and different perspectives.

An introduction to sociology theories would not be complete without talking about sociological imagination. In simple terms, it is the function of connecting personal experience to the issues at large. A society is made up of systems working with each other; those systems are made up of individuals. Sociological imagination tries to understand the connection between individuals and systems. Through it, we try to see the world from a perspective, which is broader than personal experience alone.

Below, our experts have detailed how to write a sociological theory essay. We have also provided a breakdown of the key perspectives that you can study in your paper. Plus, you will find some sociological theory essay examples written by students just like you.

3 Sociological Perspectives You Should Know

There are three major perspectives that sociological theory considers. Each one has a distinct viewpoint on society and the behavior of people around us. They provide a different set of frameworks through which we can study the social world. The significance of the sociological perspectives is that they allow us to understand society as a concept rather than an object.

If you are writing a sociological perspective essay, you will likely look at these perspectives:

  • Functionalist Perspective

A functionalist sociological perspective takes into account the systems installed in place within the society we live in. The logic behind it is that a community consists of different parts. For example, there are educational and political systems. A functionalist perspective deconstructs those parts. It looks at how they interconnect to create something whole. Each part has a function in creating a stable society, but they also influence and change one another.

  • Conflict Perspective

The conflict perspective is somewhat of a polar opposite to the functionalist one. This view dictates that systems do not work together to reach social stability. Instead, they compete for resources and power. Its origins can be found in Marxism and the notions of class struggle. Besides, it is often utilized in discussions about social justice and other similar sociological concepts.

  • Interactionist Perspective

In contrast to the two perspectives above that look at the broader picture, the interactionist perspective is more concerned with individuals. According to this one, human behavior is shaped and maintained by our interactions with others. This is referred to as symbolic interactionism. These interactions create meanings through which we define ourselves. Proponents of this perspective suggest that people react to their definition in a situation rather than the situation itself.

You will be able to find sociological perspective essay examples at the bottom of the page.

How to Write a Sociological Theory Essay

Writing assignments such as sociological essays or research papers typically follow the same set format regardless of the topic. We have outlined some advice for you.

These steps can help you start writing straight away:

  1. Start early. You need to make sure that you have time to conduct your research. Beginning your work earlier gives you sufficient space to think about the applications of sociological theory. Plus, you will be able to fix any mistakes you’ve made along the way.
  2. Get a good topic. Whether you decide to write about the conflict perspective or functionalism, finding an idea that interests you is essential. Read through essay samples or browse online to find the perfect topic for yourself. Try our topic generator if you’re struggling with getting an idea.
  3. Come up with a thesis. A thesis statement is the guiding principle of your sociological theory essay. You will keep referring to it all throughout your work. Make sure it reflects your views and the message you want to deliver in your writing. Our thesis generator can help you formulate one!
  4. Outline your essay. A solid essay structure will always include an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The body paragraph part is where you will concentrate your discussion of sociology theories. Ascertain that you keep your thesis in mind while writing.
  5. Implement examples in your paper. There is nothing more reliable than real-life instances. If you are unable to conduct first-hand research, browse through existing studies. Evidence is essential to support your claims. Just make sure everything is cited correctly!
  6. Proofread and rewrite. If you’ve followed our advice and began earlier, you should have plenty of time left to edit your work. This is where you polish your writing. Make sure that there are no glaring mistakes. Refer back to your guidelines to make sure everything is in order.

Thank you for reading! We hope that this advice will prove helpful to you in your work. You can now proceed to read the sociological theory essay examples below. You can use them as inspiration or as a reference for how to structure your work and use citations.

1015 Best Essay Examples on Sociological Theories

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The Advantages of Living in a Multicultural City

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Contemporary sociological theory

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Community Development in Theory and Practice

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Social Sciences as a Career Field

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Marxists and Functionalists’ Views on Crime and Deviance

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The Process of Getting a Job

The process of getting a job remains one of the most challenging tasks for many job seekers in the United States.
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Smartphone Addiction Problem Statement

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Urbanization Negative Impacts

Change within a society may have political, social and economic effects on the society. This essay examines the negative economic and social impacts of changes that are associated with urbanization.
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Why Appearance Is So Important?

Sending a positive message to the society regarding one's behavior and conduct is the aim of every person. Appearance of a person can tell whether the person is a crook or not.
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Family Is a Universal Social Institution

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Tattoo Disadvantages

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Social Issues: Choosing a Life Partner

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Youth Crime According to Conflict Theory

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Psychological and Sociological Theories in Life

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Bourdieu’s Concept of Habitus, Capital and Field

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What Is the Functionalist Perspective?

The functionalist perspective is a theory that affirms that the world is a structure of interconnected parts in which every part is essential in ensuring that the structure works. The main aim of all the [...]
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Unabomber: Ted Kaczynski Case Study

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Interpersonal Relationship Theories

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Positivism, Post-Positivism, and Constructivism

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State and Its Role Within Society

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“The Order of Things” by Malcolm Gladwell

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Theory of Structuration by Anthony Giddens

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Work to Live and Live to Work

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Karl Marx’s Sociology and Conflict Theory

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Social Theories of Technology

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Highly Competitive Environment

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“Future Shlock” by Neil Postman

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Young Generation Healthy Lifestyle

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Merton’s Role Theory Definition

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The Concept of Otherness

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Conflict: Theories and Examples

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Review of the Multidimensional Theory

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The Design of Perfect Society

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The Functionalist Perspective and Functionalisms

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Individualism vs. Collectivism

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A Reflection of Marxism in the Modern World

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Social Stratification Forms and Functions

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Subcultures: The American Football Fan

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Subject Matter of Sociology

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Youth Crime in Functionalism and Conflict Theories

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Durkheim’s Concept of Social Integration

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Education Impact on Socialization

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John Locke and His Contributions to Sociology

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Functionalist Ideas in the Smoke Signals Movie

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Muted Group Theory: Overview

MGT focuses on the communication experience of marginalized groups in terms of linguistics. MGT was developed based on the observation of women's experience as a low-power group in the 1970s in the US.
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Top of the Food Chain Analysis

Despite this, their actions of utilizing poison and the introduction of geckos led directly to a change in the population of both mosquitos and flies in the area.
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Social Issues of Families in Poverty

With the tightened budget, parents of the families living in poverty struggle to make ends meet, and in the course of their struggles, they experience many stresses and depressions.
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Wearing Strange Clothes in Public

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Obstacles in the Society to Accept the Change

The changes taking place in the society has also been triggered by the improvement in the level of technology. The rate at which the society accommodates change is determined by how the people are receptive [...]
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Apple’s Advertisements From Sociological Perspectives

In this case, a group of individuals argues that not everyone can access the iPhone and television for social stability. Through businesses and entertainment, a society is made, thus symbolizing the positivity of this advertisement.
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Lenski’s Theory of Sociocultural Evolution

An evaluation of the progression of crime, deviance, and social control through these stages is demonstrative of the theory's applicability. The forms and means of crime and deviance were rudimentary during the pre-industrial age, and [...]
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Warner’s Model of Social Classes

According to the description given to this social class as those professionals whose earnings and their level of education is considerably of a higher standing in comparison to those of the lower middle class workers. [...]
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The Feral Child Genie’s Case

Moreover, this process is extremely vital for the development of a human being as only successful and timely socialization can guarantee a childs formation.
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Subculture Theories: Response to the Dominant Culture

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Definition of a good roommate

He contrasts the others in the ads put up in that he tries to be more receptive and hospitable to the potential roommate although he is the most particular of all in terms of cooking, [...]
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Foucault’s Disciplinary Theory in Modern Society

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Why Is Sociological Research Necessary?

As sociology recognizes society and relationships as the main topic of study, sociological research applies the scientific method to produce accurate data. The theory's focus is to identify the place of women in society and [...]
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Macro Sociological Theories

The conflict theory indicates that each part of the society is interdependent and participates to the society role as a whole.
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Demographic Transition Theory

The demographic transition model shows the stages that are involved in the reduction of these rates. The revolution enhanced the improvement of the living standards of the people hence the decrease in death rates.
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Max Weber’s Rationality Theory

They have defined rationality as the process and success in the pursuit of a given objective regardless of the nature of the objectives.
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Sociological Theories: Definition and Aims

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Motivation Hypothesis and Theories

The process motivated the interns to put in a lot of effort and reach even beyond the company's objectives. The intern's motivation resulted from positive attention, which made the intended conduct more likely to occur [...]
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