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A List of Sociological Theories and Theory Types
There are as many theories in sociology as in other disciplines such as psychology, physics, biology or political
science. Complicating things for students, sociological theories that explain phenomena of interest in specialized
areas of study are often mistaken for theories originating from those areas. I have produced a list of possible
theory types and “popular” theories from sociology to help you start looking for possible sociological theories to
apply to your paper topic. This list is not comprehensive nor are you limited to it. Some of these theories are in
your textbook and some are not. But keep in mind, the easiest way to identify a theory to apply in your paper is to
review sociological books that address the subject of your paper – a good source will offer several!
labeling theory feminist theory
social control theory neutralization and drift theory
Marxist theory containment theory
anomie theory differential association theory
general strain theory culture conflict theory
deviant place hypothesis routine activity theory
grounded theory social behavioralism
collective action theories Relative deprivation theory
Value‐added theory Political process theory
Frame analysis theory New social movement theory
rational choice theory social learning theory
radical theory social disorganization theory
differential reinforcement theory delinquent subculture theory
differential opportunity theory Conflict theory
Critical theory Feminist theory
Functionalist theory social structure theory
Interpretive sociological theory Weberian conflict theory
Social phenomenological theory Sociological positivism
Social constructionism Structural functionalism
Symbolic interactionism Broken windows theory
opportunity theory Culture of poverty theory
Dramaturgical theory primordial theory
Deprivation theory Mass society theory
Resource mobilization theory Political process theory
Culture theory consensus theory
social epidemiology rationalization of society
disengagement theory activity theory
cultural transmission theory Bonding theory
voluntarism theory World systems theory