Download Theoretical Perspectives Overview

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.
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
 Postmoderns are Hermeneutic! They believe no one else can live your
experience!