Ever Since The Beginning Of Time, Humans Needed Some Type

The Functionalist theory emphasizes the contributions (functions) that all parts of society (e.g., social institutions) make within society. This theory has contributed to sociology by providing a view “which emphasizes the way in which the parts of a society are structured to maintain stability.” (Schafer 2013, pg13)

Many people from the United States hold the belief that being gay is something that has always been considered to be okay. They believe that it is just a given. Despite people’s current beliefs on the subject, for a very long time, it was something that was widely believed to be taboo. In the past, people were imprisoned due to their sexuality. Regardless, throughout the decades, people have pushed for the widespread acceptance of people who are part of the LGBT community. Today, homophobia still exists in some parts of the United States, but we have come a long way since the early 1900s.

Sociology and its theories seek to explain and examine social systems through the interactions of people with their society. For this paper, two theories – Structural Functionalism (Durkheim) and Conflict theory (Marx) – are compared and used to analyze the topic of through each respective theory. Even though the creators of these theories are now decreased, each of these sociological positions make an important contribution to sociology and our understanding of the reasons behind (topic).

This paper describes the three major theoretical perspectives in Sociology: symbolic interactionism, functionalism and conflict theory. Sociologists developed these theoretical perspectives to help explain the way individuals conduct themselves and to help us to gain a better understanding of the world around us. Throughout this paper, the reader will learn about each perspective and its origin as well as additional information as to how it applies to our lives. Examples will also be provided to gain a clear understanding.

In the world of sociology there are many different ways that humans interact with the world. Although we are all human beings, we do not always see the world the same way that others do. Even though not many are aware of the different ways they can see the world, there are three sociological perspectives. Using structural functionalism, the conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism one will be able to decide which view best represents the way they see this world. When asked about my perspective on the world, I view it using the conflict theory due to the examples that society gives us based on events that happen frequently. Even though all three of these theories are socially correct, the conflict theory defines my view of the world more than structural functionalism and symbolic interaction.

These theories can help explain and predict the social world at a micro (small-scale) and macro (large-scale) levels (Griffith University, 2014). From these two levels, sociologists have obtained various perspectives, including; the functionalist theory, conflict theory and the symbolic interactionism theory, each with a set of broad assumptions about the nature of society. They provide theory and research to create possible solutions for the issue (SSSP, 2010). Both functionalist and conflict theories believe that a social problem is a product of society. In contrast, symbolic interactionism views a social problem as a ‘symbolic interaction between individuals without the problem and others with the problem, leading the former to act like the latter’ (SSSP,

One of the main sociological theories is functionalism. Functionalism is a macro-consensus theory. The fact that it is ‘macro’ means it analyses society through social institutions such as: peer groups, education, workplace, mass media and religion, and the fact that it is ‘consensus’ means functionalists focus on the harmony is society ad see society working as a human body would [https://www.thoughtco.com/functionalist-perspective-3026625]. They claim society is made up of interrelated parts that work together to maintain homeostasis. Functionalists see the world through rose-tinted glasses so focus on the stability, harmony and continuity of society as a whole. Hence, they have a positive outlook on society. However, a drawback to functionalism is that it doesn’t look at or focus on an individual and their role in society. This theory can be linked to social stratification. Social stratification is a concept which focuses on the existence of structural inequalities within society. The most distinctive form of this comes via the social class, the division of society into the upper, middle and lower/working class. Also, society can be stratified according to age, gender and ethnicity [Bottero, W. 2005:03]. This shows the link between an individual and society as it proclaims that society is positively

There are social problems in society today that to better understand them theories are used. Theories are a set of statements that explains the relationship between phenomena (Sullivan, 2016. P. 7). In order to understand the relationship it has to be looked at in theoretical perspectives. Functionalism, conflict theory and interactionism are all theoretical perspectives that help us to see the different types of behavior and interactions in society. Functionalism focuses on the operation of society and what contributes to its functions as an whole. Conflict theory looks at different groups of society in how insufficient help leads to those with authority and power to control those who are less prestige. Interactionism focuses on the one to one interactions of individuals and how it contributes to an individuals behavior.The functionalism and conflict theory looks at things on a macro level, focusing on large groups and society altogether. Interactionism looks at things on a micro level, a more personal look on one to one interactions amongst individuals versus

Early sociologists, instrumental in the development of sociology’s three foundational theories, --George Herbert Meade, Charles Horton Cooley, Auguste Comte, Herbert Spencer, Emile Durkheim, and Karl Marx-- established the framework of symbolic interactionism, functionalism, and conflict theory. Each played key roles in establishing the levels and focuses of analysis that are used in applying the three theoretical perspectives to the study of human actions, decisions, behavior, and other external elements, which can be explained not only by analyzing the individual scenario, but also by analyzing the context in which that individual is placed. Although all three theories are interconnected and important in sociology, the theory that is most useful in studying society today is conflict theory.

Structural functionalism is a macro level approach to study sociology (Browning, 2015). Structural functionalists believe social consensus is what holds society together; social consensus being a condition in which most members of the society agree on what would be good for everyone. Structural functionalists view society as a web of social structures, each structure being functional to fulfill it’s own needs, but dependent on all other structures for survival (Vago, 2012).

There are many sociologists in the world with many different ways and opinions to understand society. Some see the world as basically a stable ongoing entity while others see society as composed of many groups in conflict, competing for scarce resources (Schaefer, p. 13). Additionally, views of other sociologists believe society is an impressive machine that people take for granted, the social aspects of everyday life and its routine interactions of one to another. The three views the functionalist, conflict, and interactionist theoretical perspectives are the ones that mostly used by sociologists.

Of the three major perspectives in sociology, Functionalism is the foremost perspective. Followers of the Functionalist Perspective believe society is a system of interrelated pieces that work together in agreement to uphold social stability for the whole and that sociological matters should be explained with scientific facts. Within functionalist theory, the diverse branches of society are predominantly comprised of social conventions, each of which is intended to satisfy different needs. The parts are all contingent upon each other. The fundamental institutions outlined by sociology and which are vital to understand for this theory include: religion, family, education, economy, media and government.

Today sociological theories have taken place in what defines humans, such as relationships, social behaviors, and studying how humans affect societies. For some theories have fallen out of the trouble others have remained openly to accept by learning more about these theories to understand how to gain knowledge from these theories. One of the theories known is the Structural, Functional Approach theory define to the framework for building up a theory that sees society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stability to approach the social structure to stable human behavior. To support human life’s in basic needs within families, the workforce, classrooms and even in the community. Everyday approaches that people meet in the form of social functions is the pattern of operation of society as a whole examples use as a simple handshake to keep society interacting within each

The next important sociological framework is the conflict theory. Conflict theories explore the macro level of our society, like functionalism, its structures and institution. The founder of conflict theory, Karl Marx, focused on the conflict base on social class between groups in our society—based on social group, political, social class, race, ethnicity, or gender—and in the conflict, the powerful groups usually succeeds. This perspective doesn’t have a simple solution to social problems and if the system could be reconstructed, it is not likely to happen. “Whereas functionalists argue that society is held together by norms, values, and a common morality, those holding a conflict perspective consider how society is held together by power

Structural Functionalism is “A major sociological perspective that views society as an interdependent system of parts (structures) and purposes (functions) that work together to make a society operate (Larkin, 2015)”. In order for a society to work all parts of the same society must work together. In structural functionalism society nearly depends on one another to stay afloat. If Something changes it can causes a disruption in society and begins to make things become unbalanced. Functionalism focuses on many groups that make up society, for example Government, Judiciary, and religion are some of the key groups that benefits in society strengthening their social relationships and the very world humans live in.