Download Introduction to Sociology: SPRING 2016 M. KLEIN SLO Assessment: SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY

Introduction to Sociology: SPRING 2016
M. KLEIN
SLO Assessment: SOCIOLOGICAL THEORY
Conceptual Map
1.
2.
Read the following guide to the three central theories of sociology.
Choose a social issue or problem that you know something and attempt to apply each
theory to the problem.
a. on what aspect of the problem would your theory focus (i.e. macro structure, micro
relationships)?
b. according to this perspective, what might be considered causal factors?
c. what might be considered solutions?
SOCIOLOGICAL THEORIES -- A LAYPERSON'S GUIDE
Macro Perspectives
Structural Functionalism
Functionalists view society as a stable, well-organized system in which the parts function to
maintain the whole. When disequilibrium occurs, there is a tendency for balance to be restored. In
general, there is consensus regarding the basic values in a society. These folks are interested in
how the various parts of the social system -- its major social institutions --function to contribute
to the maintenance of social order. When all members of the group perform their roles correctly,
based on societal norms, the group is said to be functioning well. The main reason for the
existence of social problems is that societies are always changing and having to adapt to new
conditions; failure to adapt successfully leads to social problems.

society is viewed as a smoothly functioning organism

parts work together to contribute to well-being of the whole

values are the "glue" which hold society together

dysfunctions are the result of dysfunctions within a mechanism (institution)
which is a result of deviance from the "norms"

social change often triggers problems -- change in values
CENTRAL QUESTION: HOW DOES A PART CONTRIBUTE TO OVERALL STABILITY?
Conflict Theory
Conflict theorists, in contrast to the functionalists, believe that conflict, especially class
conflict, is the process that shapes society. Society is in a constant process of change and
is marked by conflicts due to inequalities of class, race, ethnicity, gender, age, and other
major divisions. The origins of social problems may be found in the way societies
organize access to wealth and power. There is a great disparity in the wealth of the
powerful and the powerless. Because the resources that people value are always in short
supply, there is a struggle for them. Those who gain control of scarce resources (i.e.
money) have an interest in keeping them for themselves and will exploit the masses in
order to gain more power over them. Those who lose out have an interest in wresting
control from those in power. This conflict between the "haves” and the “have-nots"
provides the fuel for history. The major figure associated with this school is Karl Marx.
 conflict is normal in the functioning of society
 focus on the unequal divisions in society
 problems are natural outcome of struggle for scarce resources
 powerful want to keep control and exploit the powerless in the process
CENTRAL QUESTION: WHO BENEFITS?
Micro Perspective
Symbolic Interactionist
The interactionist perspective gets us closer to the individual level of behavior. According to the
interactionists, the fundamental social process is face-to-face interaction between actors playing
roles. These interactions are the building blocks of society and are what sociologists ought to
study. It is in groups of people much like ourselves (family, peer groups) that we draw much of
our identity. To study society, one must study actors in situations and grasp the meaning that the
actors invest in their behavior (using empathy). The actor's reality is the only reality. Social
structures and institutions are merely abstractions (not external and coercive social facts). Society
is created, maintained and changed through the interaction of individual, living actors.
 most important aspect of society = humans are symbolizing creatures who
create the world they inhabit via communication

problems are created and defined through interaction

the individual's or group's definition of the situation is central to
understanding the actions of that individual or group

social construction of reality -- reality is socially created and maintained
CENTRAL QUESTION: HOW ARE SYMBOLIC MEANINGS GENERATERD AND
SHARED IN INTERACTION?