preview

3 sociological perspectives

Better Essays
Open Document

In our society today, there are three theoretical perspectives that act as ways to view our lives. Symbolic Interactionism , Functional Analysis, and Conflict Theory. All of which are centered around the people they derived from who are : George Herbert Mead, Charles Horton Cooley, Robert Merton and Karl Marx. With these theories being a major part of sociology, the research that is collected to study the people in these societies should be looked at as a whole ,for, sociology comes in many forms.

Symbolic Interactionism is the idea that one puts meaning to something. We attach our selves to names of certain people or things . Symbols are used to describe the relationships that we have with one another. Without symbolic …show more content…

Without the certain parts of society doing the parts that are required, inevitably, society would struggle and there would be immense chaos and discombobulation.

Robert Morton is the theorist behind functional analysis. He believed that functions and dysfunctions kept the society in balance. Functions were beneficial consequences of the actions that the people took and they helped keep the group functional whereas dysfunctions were negative consequences to a person and their actions and they would threaten the societies equilibrium. Merton believed that societies have both manifest or latent functions. This meaning that there are positive intentions in order to improve society or negative intentions by which society is not benefiting but the choices of the people.

Conflict theory is the idea that society is composed of groups that are in perpetual conflict with one another for scarce resources. Each group has the idea that one is more powerful over the other so society is in a constant battle to get to the top. Social order is maintained by domination and power by which each group much inevitably have some kind power even if it 's within ones own group. The rich and powerful will do anything to keep their wealth and dominance . This includes by belittling the poor and powerless. These people will try and dominate by any means possible to keep them above any

Get Access