Final answer:
German philosopher and sociologist Karl Marx is the most prominent figure associated with Social Conflict Theory, which examines societal conflicts arising from competition over limited resources.
Step-by-step explanation:
The central figure most associated with Social Conflict Theory is the German philosopher and sociologist Karl Marx. Conflict theory views societal issues through the lens of competition over limited resources and asserts that different social classes must compete for social, material, and political resources. Institutions like government, education, and religion are examined for their roles in maintaining and reflecting these inequalities.
Marx's ideas focused on the struggle between the bourgeoisie, the wealthy class that controls the means of production, and the proletariat, the working class. This struggle is seen as the engine of historical development, pushing societies to change. Other theorists, such as C. Wright Mills, have built upon Marx's framework, examining how the power elite control resources to maintain their status.