Download Symbolic Interactionism

Chapter 1:
An Introduction to the
Foundations of Sociology
Theoretical Paradigms
The Role of Theoretical Perspectives
• Your perspective is influence by the beliefs and values
you have.
• Your perspective will also influence what you see and
what you don’t see.
• A theoretical perspective is a set of assumptions about
an area of study (in this class it will be on society)
• These perspectives create a paradigm for sociologists to
study the world.
• Sociology has 3 main theoretical perspectives:
 1. Functionalism
 2. Conflict Theory
 3. Symbolic Interactionism
• 3 emerging perspectives
– 1. Feminist Theory
– 2. Exchange Theory
– 3. Environmental Theory
Functionalism
• Functionalism emphasized the
contributions (or functions) of each part of
society.
• Functionalists see the parts of society as
a whole.
• A change in one part of the society will
cause a change in another part of
society….ripple effect.
• Functionalists believe that society will
return to normal after an upheaval.
• See the world as a body…when all parts
are working, everything is smooth.
Functionalism
• Most Functionalists see the world in the
macro view.
• According to Robert Merton, there are 2 kinds
of functions:
 1. Manifest functions: these are supposed to
happen and they are recognized.
 Example?
 2. Latent functions: these just happen along
the way and may or may not be recognized.
 Example?
Functionalism
• Not all elements of society are positive. Those
elements that are not positive (but negative) are
known as dysfunction.
• According to functionalism, people believe in
the concept of consensus on values….this
leads to cooperation in society.
Conflict Perspective
• The conflict perspective emphasizes
conflict, competition, change and
constraint in a society.
• This perspective is the total opposite of
functionalism.
• Conflict theorists focus on the drama
between different groups in society.
• Conflict theorists also see the world
from a macro point-of-view
• They look to see how groups use
conflicts to promote their own goals and
views.
Conflict Perspective
• Conflict theorists see life as a contest and those
with the most power get the largest share of the
prize
• The prize is whatever society views as
valuable. Maybe money, cars, houses, jewels,
etc.
• This perspective believes that society changes
due to the balance of power shifting from one
group to another.
Symbolic Interactionism
• Symbolic interactionists look more on how
people INTERACT
• Charles Horton Cooley and George Herbert
Mead developed the concept that groups only
exist because the group members influence
other group members’ behaviors.
• A symbol is something that is chosen to
represent something else.
• Examples of symbols and their meanings?
Symbolic Interactionism
• A symbol is accepted as a meaning for
something else
• Not every person views symbols the same way
• Symbolic Interactionism is the theoretical
perspective that focuses on the interaction
among people based on mutually understood
symbols.
• Use the micro view because symbolic
interactionists are more concerned with how
individuals create society.
Symbolic Interactionism
• Herbert Blumer outlined 3 main
assumptions for this perspective:
1. We learn the meanings of symbols
based on watching others react to the
symbol.
• Example: men removing their hats
for the national anthem and looking
at the flag
Symbolic Interactionism
2. Once we learn what symbols mean,
we adjust our behavior to
accommodate they symbol.
• Example: child vs. adult with the
national anthem
Symbolic Interactionism
3. When we accept the symbol and
others’ reactions, we tend to think how
others would react if we didn’t act the
same way. We start to think before we
act.
• Example: Talking and not removing
your hat during the national
anthem…others will look down on
you and might make comments to
you for being disrespectful
Feminist Theory
• These theorists look at the
world from a gender point of
view
• 3 types of Feminist Theories
 1. Gender Inequality Theories:
focus on sexist patterns in
society. Pay differences for the
same job?
 2. Gender Oppression
Theories: belief that men ON
PURPOSE try to prevent
women from bettering their lives
Feminist Theory
 3.Structural Oppression
Theories: looks at economic
systems (capitalism) and family
systems (patriarchies) and their
rules that teach women their
“roles” in society…don’t rock
the boat!
Exchange Theory
• Theory focuses on idea that people only act
when there is a possibility of some type of
reward.
• “What’s in it for me”?
• These attitudes will determine what types of
social actions people participate in.
• Can think in both a macro and micro level,
short-term and long-term effects.
Environmental Theory
• Newest theory of the 6…tries to
blend social thought/actions with the
environment and to see how those
things can influence society.
• Think of the Green Movement in the
US in the last 10+ years….slow at
first, but more and more getting
involved.
• This theory also looks at how
ecological changes can affect
society…carrying capacity??