W. I. Thomas | |
|---|---|
 Thomas, before 1907 | |
| Born | William Isaac Thomas 13 August 1863 Russell County, Virginia, U.S. |
| Died | 5 December 1947 (aged 84) Berkeley, California, U.S. |
| Resting place | Old Gray Cemetery, Knoxville, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Education | University of Tennessee University of Chicago |
| Known for | Thomas theorem |
| Spouses | |
| Awards | Highest oratory honors of the University of Tennessee |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Sociology |
| Institutions | University of Tennessee, Oberlin College, University of Chicago |
| Doctoral advisor | |
| Signature | |
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William Isaac Thomas (August 13, 1863 – December 5, 1947) was an American sociologist, understood today as a key figure behind the theory of symbolic interactionism.[1]
Collaborating with Polish sociologist Florian Znaniecki, Thomas developed and influenced the use of empirical methodologies in sociological research and contributed theories to the sociology of migration.[2] Thomas went on to formulate a fundamental principle of sociology, known as the Thomas theorem (aka Thomas dictum), whereby he would contend that "if men define situations as real, they are real in their consequences."[3] This microsociological concept served as a theoretical foundation for the field of symbolic interactionism which was developed by Thomas's younger peers—primarily at the University of Chicago.[4]
- ^ "William Thomas, Sociologist, Dies. Former Member of University of Chicago Faculty Lectured Here and at Harvard". New York Times. December 7, 1947.
- ^ Ritzer, George (2011). Sociological Theory. McGraw-Hill. pp. 199–200.
- ^ Thomas, William I., and Dorothy S. Thomas. 1929. The Child in America (2nd ed.). Alfred A. Knopf. p. 572.
- ^ Lemert, Charles C. (2004). Social Theory: The Multicultural and Classic Readings. Westview Press. ISBN 978-0-8133-4217-7.