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Key Individuals
1.2 You will be expected to identify key figures in the development of the discipline of sociology
Sociologist
You will create a detailed biographical sketch of a specific individual, a summary of his /her key ideas and theories on
human society, and an overall assessment of the individual’s contribution to the development of society. You may use
the following chart to organize the content of your research.
Biographical Info (dates
and events)

Auguste Comte
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French
philosopher
1798-1857
Coined the term
“Sociology” and
by some
considered to
be the founder
of sociology
Main Concepts/Theories on Human
Interaction/Society
Specific Contributions to
Development of Sociology
Comte’s theory that societies contain social
statics (forces for social order and stability)
and social dynamics (forces for conflict and
change) are still used today.
The idea that the objective,
scientific study of society are
deeply embedded in the
discipline of sociology.
Comte’s philosophy – positivism – a belief
that the world can be best understood
through scientific inquiry.
Had two dimesions:
Dimension 1: Methodological- the
application of scientific knowledge to both
physical and social phenomena
Dimension 2: Social and Political- the use of
such knowledge to predict the likely results
of different policies so that the best one
could be chosen
“LAW OF THREE STAGES”:
Human thinking and knowledge pass through
several stages as societies evolve from simple
to complex.
Stage 1: Theological- explanations were
based on religion and the supernatural.
Stage 2: Metaphysical- explanations were
based on abstract philosophical speculation
Stage 3: Scientific or Positive- explanations
are based on systematic observation,
experimentation, comparison, and historical
analysis.
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
Harriet Martineau
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British
sociologist
(1802-1876)
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British Social
Theorist
1820-1903

Herbert Spencer


She promoted the idea
that Sociology could
“enlighten people’s
capacity to create a just
society and live heroic
lives”
She paid special attention to social
distinctions based on class, race and
gender.
Her works explore the status of
women, children, and
“sufferers”(criminal, mentally ill,
handicapped, poor, alcoholic, etc…)
Major contribution was an
evolutionary perspective on social
order and social change.
He believed societies developed
through a process of struggle (for
existence) and fitness (for survival) –
known as survival of the fittest.
Many objected to this…Societies are
not the same as biological systems,
people are able to transform the
environment in which they live.
It was used as a means to justify the
repression of the poor, African
Americans, Native Americans.


Believed in "Survival of
the Fittest", only the best
adapted survive, others
die out. (also referred to
as natural selection)
Known as Social
Darwinism

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Emile Durkheim

French
sociologist
1858-1917



German
economist and
philosopher
1818-1883

Karl Marx

Social facts are patterned ways of
acting, thinking, and feeling that exist
outside any one individual.
Strains in society lead to anomie – a
condition in which social control
becomes ineffective as a result of
loss of shared values and a sense of
purpose in society. Most likely to
occur during rapid social change.
(American Civil War- The South)

His ideas were more radical than
sociologists who preceded him.
Believed that society existed through
constant struggle and conflict
between the capitalist class (wealthy)
and the working class (not wealthy).
Believed that capitalist class
exploited the labour of the workers
which resulted in feelings of
alienation (powerlessness and
estrangement from one's self and
others).
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He established one of the
most important
contributions to
sociology – the idea that
societies are built on
social facts (aka social
norms).
Stressed the importance
that people are the
product of their social
environment and that
behaviour cannot be fully
understood in terms of
individual biological, and
psychological traits.
Wrote the Communist
Manifesto; considered
the father of
Communism.
He believed conflict was
necessary in order to
produce social change
and a better society.
Believed that society
should not just be
studied, but changed,
due to its formation from
a few wealthy people
over the rest of
population

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German social
scientist
1864-1920
Max Weber
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George Simmel
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German
sociologist
1858-1918
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Weber understood that sociology
cannot be completely value free.
Sociologists need to use VERSTEHEN
(understanding and insight) to enable
them to see the world from another
perspective other than their own.
Weber feared the growth and
development of large scale
organizations, as a way of taking
away human vitality and freedom.

His focus was to examine social
interaction in groups
Notes that interaction varies among
group size interaction (2 is different
than 3).
Developed formal sociology – an
approach that focuses attention on
universal, recurring social forms that
underlie the varying content of social
interaction.
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Believed that large
organizations
(bureaucracies) exerted
control over society and
used influence to secure
the interests of the
wealthy.
Weber was a major
believer in the value of
objective research and
data in the study of
sociology.
Simmel believed that our
social interactions
depended greatly on the
size of the social group.
Believed that class
conflict was increasing as
the world became more
and more industrialized.
Simmel was very
interested in protecting
the independence and
strength of individuals in
society .