Download symbolic interaction

What do these mean?
What are some Current Sociology
Theories?
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• Functionalists and Conflict
Theorists focus on society in
general or groups
• Interactionists focus on
individuals and their
interaction with each other
• Role of symbols in life
• Symbol: anything that
represents something else
Example: objects, words,
gestures
American flag, salute, a high
five, slang
How people use symbols is
symbolic interaction
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Current Perspectives
Conflict Perspective
• Karl Marx
• People in society who
possess more power in
society control others with
less power
• Study various groups:
women and men, race,
family, employers and
employees, etc.
Competition over scarce
resources (power, wealth)
Group gains control of it –
establish rules and procedures
to keep it
Protect their interests at
expense of other groups
Leads to social conflict – social
change – inevitable in society
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Institutions and relationships that are
inherently in conflict
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Employee/Boss
Teacher/Student
Principal/Student
College Prof./Student
Coach/Player
Landlord/Tenant
Police/Citizen
Shopkeeper/Customer
Parent/child
Wealthy/poor
Name some relationships in
which you are in conflict with
each day – whether or not you
are the controller…or controlled.
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Do Now: Reading: “Cooley’s Looking Glass Self”