Essays and Research Papers on Sociological Theories

A 10 page paper discussing Sutherland's Differential Association theory and the criminologist's theory of white collar crime. Edwin Sutherland emerged in the late 1930s as a leader in criminology theory, and he remains so today. Sutherland maintained that criminal behavior was learned, and that individuals were responsible for their own actions. He did allow that there ...

A 6 page discussion of the applicability of pressure in motivating individuals. Notes that managers have utilized a number of different approaches over the years in motivating individuals to accomplish various goals and objectives. Perhaps one of the most controversial of these is the application of pressure as a motivation enhancer. As ...

This 3 page paper examines the contributions of Marx, Engels, Durkheim and Weber based on the times in which they lived. Their contributions to the field are duly noted. No bibliography.

This 6 page report discusses Goldstone’s model of how political and social revolution occurs. In his 1991 book “Revolution and Rebellion in the Early Modern World,” he outlines four specific factors that are in place and encourage a revolution to take place. He explains that at some point in the past 500 years, early every nation on Earth has experienced ...

5 pages in length. Marxist theories regarding expressivism overflow into social and political theory and philosophy. While expressivism can be considered a freedom that we can all choose to enjoy, that expressivism can overrun its boundaries and turn into something negative, as though it had a life of its own. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

A 7 page research paper that uses as its primary source the study of inner-city Philadelphia performed by Elijah Anderson for his book Code of the Street. The writer discusses how well Anderson's analysis fits the parameters of social disorganization theory. Bibliography lists 8 sources.

This 5 page paper focuses on the topic of capitalism, looking at it from Marx and Weber's eyes. Weber's Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism is discussed along with classic Marx works. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

This 5 page paper provides a look into the theories of Marx, Weber, Durkheim and DuBois. Their theories about society, the individual and capitalism are discussed. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

A 6 page paper discussing FDR's efforts in hiding his paralysis from the American public in relation to Charles Smith's views of public and private behavior argued in Critique of Sociological Reasoning. Smith holds that all human behavior, including that resulting from the experience of disability, can be categorized into three levels. The experience of Franklin D. ...

This 6 page paper presents an overview of Marx's theories as well as how his personal life might have had an influence on his ideas. Other influences in his life, such as Engels and Hegel, are duly noted. Bibliography lists 10 sources.

A 12 page discussion of the societal factors which lead to teen misconduct. Emphasizes that misconduct is of dire societal concern because such behavior sometimes escalates to criminal or deviant behavior. Reviews the role of the environment in shaping this behavior and deterrence in minimizing it. Concludes that it is a societal ...

(5 pp). Antonio Gramschi was an Italian Marxist, and Barry Glassner is the Sociology Department chair at University of Southern Califonia - Davis. Both are interested in work and class sociology studies. Mass production is dwindling, how will we definite our work ethic in the future. The two theorists and writers will be ...

This 11 page paper is a fictitious interview with a lady in her 70's who had led a happy life. The example is used to demonstrate how a single interview can be utilized to explore the lifecycle stages from early childhood to late adulthood. The different stages are compared and applied to Maslow's hierarchy of ...

A 5 page discussion of the labeling theory of deviance, the tendency of society to place labels on individuals on the basis of them not belonging to the group doing the labeling. Ties together the self-fulfilling prophesy of Thomas Merton, the interactionist perspective of E. Goffman, the theories of H.S. Becker that social groups ...

A 9 page paper which discusses how charismatic politicians are not necessarily needed in mobilizing popular political consent in our present day. The paper also discusses how Michael Foot was quite possibly a victim of the media in British politics and research. The texts used within the paper are "The Fall of the Public Man" by Richard Sennett, "Amusing ...

This 5 page paper compares the elements of social identity theory's explanation of group conflict with aspects of George Kelly's personal construct theory and Carl Roger's existentialist view of the personality. It concludes with a brief example of conflict based on group identity. Bibliography lists 9 sources.

This 5 page paper argues that Marx misunderstood human nature, which is why his theory of communism will never work. Many examples are provided. Alienation and historical materialism are explained. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

This 8 page report discusses the theories of Piotr Alekseyevich Kropotkin (1842-1941), a Russian geographer, social philosopher, and political anarchist. Kropotkin’s work and observations of the natural world convinced him that creatures survived when they supported one another but had to face an enormous amount of pain and dissension when they turned on one another. Such thinking flew in the face ...

This 6 page report discusses Karl Marx (1818-83) and one of his most important works, “Das Kapital.” Marx’s fundamental assertion, in the most simple of terms, was that all events are determined by economic forces. His analysis of capitalist economy and his theories of historical materialism, the class struggle, and the meaning of value evolved as the basis of modern socialist ...

(5pp) Sociology attempts to find patterns in the behavior of people. What makes some of us do one thing and others not? The only way we can effect change is to recognize it is happening. Sociologists attempt to give us those clues. And then through labeling the clues or theories, give us a ...

This 6 page paper focuses on theories of Karl Marx and Max Weber with respect to class. Theories are compared and contrasted. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

A 10 page paper in which the writer discusses Emile Durkheim's theories, including the theory of anomie, and then applies the theories to the social problems of teenage pregnancy, homelessness and poverty. The writer also discusses why Durkheim's theories can be applied to these social problems. Bibliography lists 6 sources.

This 5 page paper evaluates this controversial work. His breakdown of society as social structure, polity and culture is discussed. No additional sources cited.

A 6 page research paper that examines the theories and career of Pitirim A. Sorokin (1889-1968), who was a Russian-American sociologist, whose controversial theories concerning social process covered the breadth of his field, as well as the historical typology of cultures. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

A 6 page research paper that examines the theoretical contribution of Emile Dirkheim to the science of sociology. Durkheim (1858-1917) was one of the founders of the science of modern sociology. His distinguished career helped to establish sociology as a respected scientific discipline, capable of diagnosing the ills of society and recommending possible courses of ...