Structural Sociology (Noun)
Meaning
A sociological theory based on the premise that society comes before individuals.
Classification
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents.
Examples
- Structural sociology emphasizes the role of social institutions and relationships in shaping individual behavior and social outcomes.
- The concept of structural sociology was first introduced by French sociologist Émile Durkheim, who argued that societal structures, not individual actions, are the primary determinants of human behavior.
- Structural sociology is concerned with understanding how social norms, values, and institutions are transmitted and reinforced across generations.
- Critics of structural sociology argue that it overemphasizes the role of external social forces and neglects the agency and autonomy of individual actors.
- Theories of structural sociology are often used to explain phenomena such as poverty, racism, and social class inequality, which are seen as the result of deep-seated social structures rather than individual shortcomings.