Sociology & Anthropology · Sociological Theory
A topic within Sociological Theory, itself one of 10 topics in that field and part of Sociology & Anthropology.
2 works
Herbert Spencer
Makes the case for sociology as a science subject to natural laws like any other, and argues that social phenomena must be explained by their function in the evolving social organism rather than by the intentions of the people involved.
link checked 17 Sept 2026W. I. Thomas & Florian Znaniecki
Introduces the 'four wishes' and the concept of the definition of the situation through a life-history study of Polish immigrants, and founds the Chicago School's use of personal documents as sociological data.
link checked 17 Sept 2026