Download Conflict Perspective

Understanding
Sociology
1
Module 3: Major Theoretical
Perspectives
Sociology in Modules
Richard T. Schaefer
3rd edition
Copyright © 2016 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved.
No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.
Major Theoretical Perspectives
• Functionalist perspective
• Conflict perspective
• Interactionist perspective
Slide 2
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Functionalist Perspective
• Emphasizes the way parts of a society
are structured to maintain its stability
– Talcott Parsons (1902–1979)
• Viewed society as vast network of connected parts
• Each helps maintain the system as a whole
Slide 3
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Functionalist Perspective
• Manifest and Latent Functions
– Manifest functions: open, stated, conscious
functions; intended and recognized
consequences of an aspect of society
– Latent functions: unconscious or unintended
functions; may reflect hidden purposes
• Dysfunctions
– Elements or processes of society that may
disrupt a social system or reduce its stability
Slide 4
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Conflict Perspective
• Assumes social behavior best
understood in terms of conflict or
tension between competing groups
• The Marxist View
– Conflict is part of everyday life in all societies
– Conflict theorists interested in how
institutions may help maintain privileges of
some groups and keep others subservient
Slide 5
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Conflict Perspective
• The Feminist Perspective
– Feminist perspective: sees inequality in
gender as central to all behavior and
organization
– Often allied with conflict theory
– Proponents tend to focus on macro level
– Contemporary feminist theorists often view
women’s subordination as inherent in
capitalist societies
Slide 6
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Conflict Perspective
• Queer Theory
– Queer theory: the study of society from the
perspective of a broad spectrum of sexual
identities, including heterosexuality,
homosexuality, and bisexuality
– Foucault: what is regarded as normal or even
acceptable human sexuality varies
dramatically from by culture and time period
– Important influence of gay, lesbian, and
bisexual voters in 2012 presidential election
Slide 7
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Interactionist Perspective
• Generalizes about everyday forms of
social interaction to explain society as
a whole
– Humans viewed as living in a world of
meaningful objects
– Nonverbal communication: includes
gestures, facial expressions, and postures
– Manipulation of symbols seen in dress codes
Slide 8
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Interactionist Perspective
• George Herbert Mead (1863–1931)
– Regarded as founder of interactionist
perspective
– Work encouraged many sociologists to focus
more on micro-level societal behavior
• Erving Goffman (1922–1982)
– Dramaturgical approach: people
seen as theatrical performers
Slide 9
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The Sociological Approach
• Gains broadest understanding of society
by drawing on all major perspectives,
noting where they overlap or diverge
– Each perspective offers unique
insights into the same issue
• Researcher’s work always guided
by his or her theoretical viewpoint
Slide 10
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Table 3-1: Major Sociological Perspectives
Slide 11
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Research Today
3-1: Looking at Sports from Five
Sociological Perspectives
– Have you experienced or witnessed
discrimination in sports based on gender,
race, or sexual identity? If so, how did you
react? Has the representation of Blacks,
women, or gays on teams been
controversial on your campus? In what
ways?
– What of the five sociological perspectives
seems most useful to you in analyzing
sports? Why?
Slide 12
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