Sociological Theories

noun a modern movement for the protection of the consumer against useless, inferior, or dangerous products, misleading advertising, unfair pricing, etc.

• Consumerism is the theory that an increasing consumption of goods is economically desirable.
• Consumerism is the reason why people always feel the need to buy the latest gadgets.
• Consumerism is just a fancy word for people buying a lot of stuff they don't really need.
• Consumerism is like a never-ending cycle of wanting more and more material possessions.

noun a period of time during which events or phenomena recur in the same sequence

verb to ride a bicycle or motorcycle

• The water cycle is a crucial process for maintaining life on Earth.
• I like to go for a cycle around the park in the evenings.
• I'm going to hop on my bike and go for a cycle around the block.
• The cycle of life and death is a natural part of existence.

noun a type of thought in which a person is able to accept two contradictory beliefs or ideas at the same time

• The concept of doublethink is often explored in dystopian literature.
• It's like they're practicing doublethink, believing two contradictory things at once.
• They must be masters of doublethink to be able to lie so convincingly.
• His ability to engage in doublethink allows him to navigate complex social situations.

noun a philosophical concept that suggests the existence of two opposing principles or forces

adjective relating to or characterized by the belief in the existence of two opposing principles

• The philosopher explored the concept of dualism in his latest book.
• I read an interesting article about dualism and its implications.
• Some people think dualism is just a bunch of mumbo jumbo.
• The artist's use of light and dark created a sense of dualism in the painting.

adjective relating to or having the characteristics of an idealist; unrealistically aiming for perfection

• The young politician's idealistic views on social reform were met with skepticism by more experienced lawmakers.
• She's a bit too idealistic for her own good, always expecting the best out of people.
• Don't be so idealistic, the real world doesn't work like that.
• His idealistic vision of a perfect society was shattered when faced with the harsh realities of life.

noun a person who is independent and self-reliant, especially in their thinking or actions

• The philosopher believed in the importance of the individualist approach to morality.
• She's quite the individualist, always doing her own thing.
• That guy is a total individualist, he doesn't care what anyone thinks.
• The artist's painting was a representation of his inner individualist spirit.

verb to relate or connect to one another

• The different components of the ecosystem interrelate in complex ways.
• It's interesting to see how all these characters interrelate with each other in the show.
• I never realized how much our hobbies interrelate until we started hanging out more.
• The themes of love and loss interrelate throughout the novel, creating a powerful emotional impact.

noun a lack of religion or belief in a deity

• The scholar's research focused on the rise of irreligion in modern society.
• She doesn't follow any organized religion, so you could say she's into irreligion.
• Some people think irreligion is just a fancy word for being a non-believer.
• In a world full of contradictions, irreligion can sometimes feel like the only constant.

noun a particular attitude or way of regarding something; a point of view

adjective relating to or concerned with the way in which something is perceived or regarded

• From a historical perspective, we can see how societal norms have evolved over time.
• In my perspective, I think we should go with the first option.
• Dude, you need to change your perspective on this situation.
• Looking at the issue from a different perspective can often lead to new solutions.

noun a philosophical method or approach that focuses on the study of consciousness and the objects of direct experience

• Phenomenology is a philosophical method that focuses on the study of human consciousness and the objects of direct experience.
• I'm still trying to wrap my head around this whole phenomenology thing.
• Phenomenology is like trying to understand how our minds work when we experience stuff.
• In the realm of phenomenology, we are constantly exploring the depths of our own perception and reality.

noun a fundamental psychological concept introduced by Sigmund Freud, which suggests that people seek pleasure and avoid pain in their behaviors and decision-making

• Freud's pleasure principle posits that individuals seek pleasure and avoid pain in their pursuit of happiness.
• According to the pleasure principle, we naturally gravitate towards activities that bring us joy.
• The pleasure principle is all about doing what feels good and avoiding what doesn't.
• Living by the pleasure principle means prioritizing your own happiness above all else.

noun a belief or theory that opinions and actions should be based on reason and knowledge rather than on religious belief or emotional response

• Rationalism is a philosophical belief that reason is the primary source of knowledge and truth.
• Some people believe in rationalism, which means they rely on logic and reason to understand the world.
• Rationalism is all about using your brain to figure things out.
• In a world full of chaos, rationalism serves as a guiding light to make sense of things.

noun excessive belief in the power of scientific knowledge and techniques

• The philosopher criticized the reliance on scientism in the field of ethics.
• Some people think scientism is just using science to explain everything.
• Don't be so caught up in scientism, there are other ways of looking at the world.
• His belief in scientism was like wearing blinders to other forms of knowledge.

verb to form a theory or speculate about something

• Scientists theorize about the origins of the universe based on available evidence.
• Some people like to theorize about what might happen in the future.
• I heard some crazy theories people were theorizing about at the party last night.
• She likes to theorize about the meaning behind people's actions.

verb to represent or symbolize

adjective serving as a typical example of something

• The painting is a masterpiece, typifying the artist's unique style.
• Her outfit is typifying the latest fashion trends.
• That car is typifying the definition of 'cool'.
• His actions are typifying the saying 'actions speak louder than words'.

noun the quality or condition of being universal; the quality of involving or being shared by all people or things in the world or in a particular group

• The concept of human rights is based on the universality of fundamental freedoms.
• The idea of universality means that these rules apply to everyone.
• Universality is like the golden rule - treat others how you want to be treated.
• In the world of art, the universality of emotions allows people from different cultures to connect through a single piece.

noun a political ideology or system advocating for democracy and the principles of equality and freedom

adjective relating to or characteristic of democratism

• Democratism is a political ideology that advocates for democracy as the foundation of a just society.
• Some people believe in democratism because they value the principles of equality and representation.
• Democratism is all about giving power to the people and letting them have a say in how things are run.
• In the realm of democratism, every voice is seen as valuable and essential to the functioning of a democratic society.

noun the state of being territorial

• The concept of territoriality refers to an individual or group's need to establish and defend a physical space as their own.
• Dogs often display territoriality by marking their boundaries with urine.
• Some people get really territorial about their favorite spot at the beach.
• In the world of business, territoriality can be seen in the fierce competition for market share.

noun a theory that suggests that a person's name can have an influence on their profession, character, or destiny

• The concept of nominative determinism suggests that people are drawn to professions that reflect their names.
• It's like people end up doing what their names suggest, that's nominative determinism for you.
• Nominative determinism is when your name lowkey predicts your future career.
• Some believe in nominative determinism, where your name shapes your destiny in a subtle way.

verb to make something abstract more concrete or real

• The artist sought to reify his abstract ideas into concrete sculptures.
• I tried to reify my dream of becoming a chef by enrolling in culinary school.
• She managed to reify her crush on him by asking him out on a date.
• The author's use of vivid descriptions helps reify the imaginary world he has created in the reader's mind.