ABSTRACT
Sociology is the study of human social relationships, groups, institutions, and societies (Giddens & Griffiths, 2006). Sociological theories are useful across disciplines, for research considering social relationships, group dynamics, societal structures, organizations, and organizational change, among other topics. This chapter explores prominent sociological theories, including social and cultural capital theories, institutional theory, and dramaturgical theory. Cultural capital theory focuses on particular cultural ideals and traditions that are valued by dominant cultural groups in society and how these ideals and traditions result in social reproduction and can be used as capital to maintain social standing. Social capital theory explores how social networks and connections can be used as resources to gain benefits and maintain social stratification. Institutional theory is focused on how and why organizational structures persist. Finally, dramaturgical theory focuses on how people engage in various social actions and how and why they present themselves as they do.
