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Theoretical Perspectives Overview
When sociologists analyze human behavior or some aspect of society, they use one of the
theoretical perspectives discussed in this unit as the basis for their analysis. They usually will
not directly state what perspective they are using, but we can identify it by looking for clues in
their description and analysis. Each perspective involves specific ideas and assumptions about
society. As well, the words a sociologist uses and the topics he/she researches help us to identify
the sociologist’s perspective.
The following provides you with a summary of the statements associated with each perspective.
Remember that you have to “think” like the person writing the passage in order to identify the
perspective, but these statements and the words they contain will help give you clues to the
person’s point of view.
Functionalist:
 All parts of society work to meet a specific aspect of our basic needs.
 Every part of society exists because it serves a purpose of some kind. That purpose may
not always be obvious at first glance, but if we look beneath the surface, we will find a
very good reason why a society has adopted a particular pattern of behavior or adopted a
particular form of a social institution.
 All parts of society work for the benefit of the entire society. Society is like a well-oiled
machine – each part performs its role and as a result the entire society “works” – it is by
nature harmonious and productive.
 All parts of society work to create and preserve stability and order.
 Society naturally “keeps what works” and “discards what does not”. Any parts that may
cause disorder or disrupt the smooth operation of a society will either be changed or
eliminated over time.
Conflict:
 Tension and clashes amongst social groups and individuals are inevitable in every
society.
 Control over scarce resources is the basic motivation for all human behavior. People
who control the resources act to maintain this power; people who do not have access to
these resources attempt to obtain it by taking it away from those who do.
 Inequality is a fundamental characteristic of society. Every society consists of
individuals/groups who “have” and individuals/groups who “have not”.
 Major inequalities in power lie beneath the surface of the everyday events in our lives.
 Those in authority strive to maintain their power by creating social institutions that
preserve their power and influence and prevent others from obtaining it.
Symbolic Interactionist:
 Focuses on a “micro-level” study of human behavior. Sociologists observe individuals
interacting face-to-face in small social settings in order to understand their behavior.
 The meanings we attach to our daily interactions with others are critical to understanding
the way in which we behave.
 Humans use symbols to represent and share meaning. In order to understand human
behavior, we must identify and understand the meaning of the symbols used in our daily
interactions.
 Our interpretation of messages we receive from others is critical in understanding our
behavior.
 Our thoughts and behaviors are shaped by our daily interactions with others.
 Language plays a key role in creating common understandings about ourselves and our
daily social life.
Feminist:
 Focuses on gender inequalities in modern society.
 We have traditionally lived in a male dominated (patriarchal) society. Men possess a
greater share of economic and social privilege and power.
 The exploitation and subordination of women is widespread in our society.
 Focuses on women’s issues and perspectives on current social problems.
 Gender roles and the inequalities they create are a product of the society in which we
live. They are not caused by nature (biology).
 Society teaches and reinforces established gender inequalities through the way in which
we are raised and educated.
Postmodern:
 Information is central to our society. Many people work in occupations that either
create information or provide it for others.
 Daily consumption of a wide variety of goods and services plays a significant role in our
lives. We live in a “consumer society”.
 Our daily lives are shaped by electronic technologies that allow us to communicate with
others in our society and around the world almost instantly. These technologies have an
important influence in shaping our daily behavior