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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Symbolic Interaction Theory Applied to COVID-19 Pandemic

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Contemporary sociological theory

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Smartphone Addiction Problem Statement

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Tattoo Disadvantages

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Marxists and Functionalists’ Views on Crime and Deviance

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The Process of Getting a Job

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Why Appearance Is So Important?

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Urbanization Negative Impacts

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Psychological and Sociological Theories in Life

People tend to behave in a way that is beneficial for the development of the system. This theoretical paradigm explains people's choice to obtain the higher education as this enables them to contribute to the [...]
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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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What Is the Functionalist Perspective?

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Bourdieu’s Concept of Habitus, Capital and Field

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Family Is a Universal Social Institution

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The Future of Marriage

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Merton’s Role Theory Definition

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The Functionalist Perspective and Functionalisms

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Youth Crime According to Conflict Theory

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Highly Competitive Environment

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The context of a person's life is broad, and it comprises multiple elements, which is reflected in the nature of the multidimensional approach.
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The Concept of Otherness

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Youth Crime in Functionalism and Conflict Theories

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Brown and Levinson Theory of Politeness

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Lenski’s Theory of Sociocultural Evolution

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Locus of Control

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“Future Shlock” by Neil Postman

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“Urbanism as a Way of Life” Article by Wirth

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Social concepts

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Subculture Theories: Response to the Dominant Culture

According to Hebdige, subcultures develop as a response to the dominant culture and exist in situations where there is recognized and organized collection of actions, values, as well as behavior that differ from the customary [...]
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Symbolic Interaction and Dramaturgy of Mead and Goffman

The essential tenets underlying the symbolic interaction method, based on Mead's approach, are as follows: people utilize symbols as a means of communication within their social settings; through social interactions, the self is created; and [...]
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Foucault’s Disciplinary Theory in Modern Society

In understanding Foucault's theory on discipline society, we can relate that with sovereign power, the disciplinary mechanism was not sufficient to control all of society. The sovereign power was scary to criminals and society, but [...]
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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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Familism Concept of Immigrant Cultures

Through studies done across social networks on the immigrant cultures of Latino- Americans, African-Americans and Asia- Americans, it is notable that the most familistic group is the Latino-Americans through their manners and thoughts. Latino-Americans are [...]
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Social Life Order: Erving Goffman and Michel Foucault’ Views

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Subject Matter of Sociology

It is for this reason, that Berger defines a sociologist as an individual intensively, ceaselessly, and audaciously interested in the activities of humans.
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Demographic Transition Theory

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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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Activities of Daily Living Disussion

Activities of daily living are vital and routine tasks; difficulty performing them indicates the need for professional assistance. ADL functions are necessary for an individual's self-care daily procedures, such as grooming and getting on and [...]
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The Concept of Mentoring

The roles of a mentor create a positive learning process for the mentee. Thus, a mentee determines the success of the mentoring process.
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Social System: Key Elements and Notions

This is because of the society, the development which has taken place in the human beings is present in the society and the individuals learn from it, the past information is overwritten with the updated [...]
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  • Words: 1292

Parental Involvement in Teenage Relationships

Parents can monitor their child's academic progress, engage them in conversations about romance and relationships, and give them career advice and guidance. Parental involvement in their children's academic and social lives helps parents to understand [...]
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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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