Last Updated on September 17, 2025 by Karl Thompson
Sociology is all about understanding how society works — and sociological theories help explain the structures, relationships, and behaviours we see around us. This page introduces the major sociological theories you need to know for A-level exams, including key concepts from social theory and how different thinkers interpret the workings of society. Whether you’re studying Functionalism, Marxism, or Social Action Theory, this guide will help you make sense of the key ideas in sociology theories.
Together these posts cover the ‘theory’ part of the Theory and Methods part of the AQA’s A Level Syllabus, which are assessed as part of A level papers 1 and 3.
To explore more topics across the A-level sociology specification, please visit my A-level Sociology homepage where you’ll find resources on education, families, crime, theory, methods and more.
For links to posts about qualitative, quantitative, primary and secondary research methods – see the research methods page.
Social Theory for A level: An overview
An overview of theory and methods for second year A level sociology – a very brief overview covering the bare-bones of (1) Positivism and Interpretivism, (2) Is sociology a science?, (3) Sociology and value freedom, (4) Functionalism, (5) Marxism, (6) Feminism, (7) Social action theory, (8) Post and late modernism, (9) Sociology and social policy.
Positivism and Interpretivism
Positivism, Sociology and Social Research – detailed class notes on the relationship between The Enlightenment, industrialisation and positivist sociology.
AUGUSTE COMTE: Positivism and the scientific study of Society – An even more in depth look at Comte’s Positivism in particular.
Positivism and Interpretivism – very brief summary revision notes covering the relationship between the scientific positivist world view and quantitative methods and the humanistic interpretivist worldview and qualitative methods.
Links to ‘Interpretivist‘ theory and methods are included under the ‘social action theory‘ section below.
Is Sociology A Science?
Is Sociology a Science? – A summary covers a Positivist view of sociology as a science. It contrasts this with an Interpretivist view of sociology as a humanistic discipline. It includes sociological criticisms of the objectivity of science, highlighting Latour and Kuhn’s Paradigm Critique. Sayer’s realist view of sociology and postmodern views of science are also discussed.
Sociology and Value Freedom
Sociology and Value Freedom – reasonably detailed class notes cover the Positive view that sociology is value free. They also examine the New Right, Marxist, Feminist, and Social Action Theory views. These views argue that sociology is not, and should not aim to be, value free for various different reasons.
Functionalist Theory in Sociology
In A-Level Sociology, functionalist theory is one of the major perspectives. It offers a consensus view of society as a system. Institutions, such as the family, education, religion, and the legal system, work together in this system. They maintain order and stability. It is heavily influenced by the ideas of Emile Durkheim. He emphasised social facts and the importance of shared values in holding society together.
My Functionalist Theory in Sociology page provides in-depth explanations and revision notes. It also covers key critiques. This includes Robert Merton’s modifications of the theory. It also links to topic-specific applications of functionalism, making it an essential guide for both learning and revision.
Marxist Theory for Sociology
Marxist Theory is a key conflict perspective in sociology. It views society as structured around class inequality and capitalist exploitation. Marxists argue that social institutions like education, the media and religion serve ruling class interests.
Learn more about core concepts, key thinkers like Marx, Althusser and Gramsci, and how Marxism applies to A-level topics in this Marxist Theory overview
Feminism and Feminist Theory
Feminism is one of the major sociological perspectives and has been central to understanding gender inequalities in modern society. Feminist theory challenges traditional explanations of the family, education, crime, and religion, offering powerful critiques of patriarchy and gendered power structures. It has also been a major influence on social policy and activism.
Click here to explore the full page on Feminism and Feminist Theory — covering key concepts, different types of feminism, waves of feminist thought, and links to topic-specific applications across the A-level sociology curriculum.
Social Action Theory
In A-Level Sociology, social action theories focus on how individuals shape society through their actions, interactions, and the meanings they attach to them. Unlike structural theories such as functionalism or Marxism, which emphasise large-scale social forces, social action approaches highlight agency, interpretation, and identity. They include Max Weber’s theory of social action, symbolic interactionism, labelling theory, Goffman’s dramaturgical approach, and ethnomethodology.
My Social Action Theories in Sociology page brings these perspectives together in one place. It provides clear summaries, explains how they overlap and differ, and links to in-depth resources on each theory. This makes it an essential guide for revision and for developing a deeper understanding of the interpretivist tradition within sociology.
Postmodernity and Postmodernism
Postmodernity and postmodernism question whether we are still living in a modern era or whether society has entered a new stage characterised by globalisation, media saturation and fragmented identities. Postmodernists argue that traditional “grand narratives” such as Marxism and Functionalism are no longer adequate to explain social life, while critics suggest postmodernism is vague and relativistic. Key thinkers include Lyotard, Baudrillard, Foucault and Bauman.
For a full explanation of the concepts of modernity and postmodernity and their implications for sociology, please see my postmodernity and postmodernism hub page.
NB postmodern thought is really critical of modernist sociological thought (Functionalism and Marxism), late Modernists (see below) tend to be sociologists living through postmodernity who criticise postmodern thinkers!
Late Modernism
Critical Responses to Postmodernism – more detailed class notes covering Ulrich Beck’s work on risk and reflexivity and Anthony Giddens’ structuration theory
Anthony Giddens – Modernity and Self Identity – the very brief version in 14 bullet points! The general gist is that the shift to postmodernity HAS made society more fluid and complex, but individuals don’t have so much freedom that we have to abandon social theory all together as some postmodern thinkers suggest.
Anthony Giddens – Modernity and Self Identity, chapter one summary – very detailed class notes, containing a link to chapter two and then so on…!
Ulrich Beck: Global Risk Society – New technological risks mean scientists and governments are less trusted. All our old certainties have disappeared.
Late Modernism and the Point of Sociology – very brief summary notes on Giddens’ view on how sociology can be useful in contemporary society.
Post and late modern views on the family – brief summary notes contrasting these two perspectives. Students usually the distinction between postmodernism and late modernism, seeing the two side by side applied to one topic are should help clarify their understanding.
Post and late modern views of education – brief summary notes.
Neoliberalism and the New Right
Neoliberalism and the New Right – An Introduction – The three key ideas of Neoliberal ideology are low taxation, deregulation and privatisation and the New Right in the U.K. and U.S.A emerged out of this, but put more emphasis on a strong state enforcing law and order and conservative family values than pure neoliberals.
The Neoliberal Theory of Economic Development – a detailed post on how deregulation, low taxation and privatisation has mostly harmed developing countries and made rich countries richer.
Grenfell Tower – Profits Before Safety (2017) – the case study of Grenfell Tower seems to be a text book study in the downsides of neoliberal austerity policies – cut spending on public safety and poor people die.
Sociology and Social Policy
Perspectives on Social Policy – detailed class notes covering Positivist, Marxist, Feminist, Social Action Theory and New Right perspectives on social policies.
Perspectives on Social Policy – brief summary notes – the bullet point version of the above!
How to Use Sociological Theory in Exams
The questions below could come up on the theory and methods sections of either AQA A-level Sociology paper 1 or paper 3
Outline and explain two arguments against the view that sociology is a science (10)
Outline and explain two reasons why Interpretivists prefer to use qualitative research methods (10) – a short answer exam style question that you might find on either paper 1 or 3 (AQA A-level Sociology exam papers).
Theory and Methods A Level Sociology Revision Bundle
If you like this sort of thing, then you might like my Theory and Methods Revision Bundle – specifically designed to get students through the theory and methods sections of A level sociology papers 1 and 3.
Contents include:
- 74 pages of revision notes
- 15 mind maps on various topics within theory and methods
- Five theory and methods essays
- ‘How to write methods in context essays’.
A-Level Sociology Revision Mega Bundle
The Theory and Methods bundle is also in my best value A level sociology revision mega bundle – which covers the entire AQA A-level specification, comprising SIX individual revision bundles: the family, education, theory and methods, beliefs, global development and crime and deviance.
Contents include:
- over 200 pages of revision notes
- 60 mind maps in pdf and png formats
- 50 short answer exam practice questions and exemplar answers.