Download THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES

THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES
The Sociological Perspectives
The Structural/Functional Perspective
The Conflict Perspective
Symbolic/Interactionist Perspective
Structural - Functional
• Society is viewed as a complex system of parts (structures) that
interact or function to perform various necessary functions.
•Shared values, norms, attitudes and beliefs
•Change is generally viewed as disruptive and gradual

Functionalists define a function as the contribution the part
makes to order and stability within the society.

“Consider Sports Teams”

Loyalty to a sports team transcends individual differences
and fosters a sense of belonging to a school, company ,
city, or country associated with it.

In the most controversial form of this perspective,
functionalists argue that all parts of society – even those
that does not seem to serve a constructive purpose, such as
poverty, crime, illegal immigration, and drug addiction
contribute in some way to the larger system’s overall
stability.

Sociologists Robert K. Merton( 1967) introduced other
concepts to the functionalist perspective that help us think
a part’s overall effect on society, not just its contribution to
order and stability.

Manifest and Latent Functions and Dysfunctions

Read pg- 29
Conflict Theory
• Views society as a struggle for resources and power
•Change is inevitable, often beneficial and can be violent
• Conflict between the classes determines social change
• Some groups prosper at the expense of others
• Conflict is universal; social consensus is limited and
inequality is widespread

In any society, dominant and subordinate groups compete
for scarce and valued resources. Those who gain control of
these resources strive to protect their own interests again
the competing interests of others.




Exploitation is disguised by a façade of legitimacy- an
explanation that members of dominant group give to
justify their actions.
Two of the most common façade of legitimacy are :
Blaming the exploited the proposing the that character
flaws impede their chances of financial success
Emphasizing that the less successful really benefit from the
system established by the powerful.
Symbolic Interactionism
• Studies society through interactions within individual
and small groups
• Interaction between individuals is negotiated through
shared symbols, gestures and nonverbal communications
• Humans are social animals and require interaction
• Asks the questions” “How do individuals experience
one another?” “How do they interpret the meaning of these
interactions?” and “How do people construct a sense of self
and the society as a whole?”


In contrast to the functionalist perspective and the conflict
approach , symbolic interactionists focus on social
interaction.
Social Interaction: Everyday events in which people
communicate, interpret, and respond to each other’s words
and actions.

1)
2)
3)
Symbolic interactionist draw upon the following
concepts to help them address the concept of social
interaction:
Self awareness\ reflexive thinking
Symbols
Negotiated order



Self awareness takes place through reflexive thinking, the
process of observing and evaluating the self from another’s
view point.
Symbolic interationists maintain that people interpret
others’ actions, words, and gestures first and then respond
based on their interpretations.
This interpretation- and- response process suggests that
interaction between people depends on shared symbols.

A symbol is any kind of physical phenomenon to which
people assign a name, meaning, or value.