Sociological Theory

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)

Emile Durkheim came up with the functionalist theory. Functionalism sees society working together like a system. Society consist of interconnected parts that work together that keeps everything in a balanced state. Herbert Spencer gave the idea that societies are living organisms that grow and evolve. This theory emphasizes how different groups of society influence other parts of society. This could be a positive The two main principles of functionalism; The first would be that society is perceived as a functional system made of intertwining parts/groups. The second function is that each structure its own purpose that contributes to continue societies stability. If something does not contribute to society in a positive way and throws off its balance its considered dysfunctional. An example of dysfunctional would be things such as crime.

One of the sociological theories is conflict theory. The conflict theory deals with people's level on wealth, or class. The conflict theory says that social change is beneficial, contrary to focuses on social order. In the story of the woman and her children, the conflict theory plays a big role on the situation. Police of higher class are threatening the homeless woman. The conflict theory is a constant struggle of people of higher class over powering people of lower class, or the weaker. The police are trying to over power the woman by telling her to leave. Even though the woman and her children were doing nothing wrong, the police used their power to tell her to leave. Also the people of the area showed

In sociology, functionalism is one of the main theoretical perspective. The father of the sociology Emile Durkheim was the promoter of functionalism. Functionalism mainly focusing on the stability and order of the society. This gives a variety of elaboration about the society or human behaviour. All the parts of the theoretical perspectives connected and influenced each other, this all works together in maintain the society healthy. All of these parts depends one to another, if one of the parts not working properly, that will affect all the system or that all circles.

This perspective originated with Émile Durkheim, a French sociologist, social psychologist, and philosopher, and the one who formally established and is considered the father of sociology, as the social sciences was not considered an independent field of study separate from philosophy at the time of his writings. Durkheim was interested in how social order and society as a whole remains stable, and used a scientific approach to study society. As Kenneth Allan quotes from Émile Durkheim (2005), “…if, in addition, society lacks the unity based upon the commitment of men’s wills to a common objective, then it is no more than a pile of sand that the least jolt or the slightest puff will suffice to scatter” (p. 136). Using this view of society as a creation of a collective group of individuals that work toward a common objective, functionalism looks at the institutions of society and how they contribute to the society’s stability. These institutions include the government, family, education, medicine, the justice system, the military, mass media, and other similar formal organizations. Each of these institutions are organized to fulfill the different needs of society and are all interdependent. Functionalism focuses on the order and social stability of a society, and credits disorganization and a lack of adaptation to new and changing times as the causes of social

The sociological critique of human societies has helped to outline a profound understanding of community development and the construction of poverty. From this position we think probable the intentional positioning of people to fulfill low wage responsibilities while at the same time assuring that these roles support social synergy.

Throughout history various social perspectives have been observed in an attempt to explain and classify different types of sociological behavior. Various theories have been made regarding the sociological perspective, which examines the social contexts that people live in and how these contexts effect the individual and society (Henslin 2). Each sociological perspective examines something different and poses a different theory. Discussed here are three sociological perspectives: the functionalist perspective, the conflict perspective and the feminist perspective. All three perspectives are forms of social institutions or the ways that a society meets its basic needs (Henslin 104).

I have grown up in church. I have been to church pretty much every Sunday of my life. My family never really missed church, except if we sick. Even when we were on vacation, we would go to church. I also spent a lot of time at youth group. During my time at youth group, there were positive and negative experiences that I had. Even though I do not want to go into youth ministries, I still think my background shapes my opinion on it.

What I see (sociologically) when I look at where I am right now is that I am a mother and a student and I am trying to balance both of my roles. I became a mother before I finished my education because I got married when I was young. The waves are very influential since they are encouraging me to finish my education. Many of the situations that have passed through my life have made me believe that education is necessary. I am not think on working after graduation because my motivation is to enlighten and develop myself. I also saw some of my other friends get an education so they motivated me to go out and study. Currently, I feel that I am restricted and strained with all the requirement I have to do since the final is coming soon. The upcoming

(Turner, p.112) Functional analysis established itself as a way of ‘bringing to light the significance of the institutional order and connecting it with the unintentional consequences of social action. (Turner, p.121) On page 35 of Back et al. it states that Durkheim’s argument is that classification is a process of ‘marking-off’, of showing things that are related, but have distinct points of difference to another. Functionalism assumes that society’s social institutions perform important functions to help ensure social stability. Rapid social change threatens social order, but slow social change is desirable.

Society embraces the systems and symbols created to communicate in the search of belonging. The systems and symbols are used to convey information and assigns meaning and values to our lives. Often culture is defined as the symbols society uses to express themselves as individuals or groups. Culture is the practice that allows individuals to either agree or disagree with the values and ideas that are portrayed and communication helps to circulate these values.

This essay will discuss the main features of two sociological approaches to the studies of physical health and illness. The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines “health as a complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of diseases and infirmity” (Organisation, 1946). Illness can be defined as a disease of the body or mind (McIntosh, 2013). There are many factors that can affect the health of a person in a society. Whether people are healthy or not, the health of a population is shaped by traits of that society (Angela, 2005).

The book discusses six theories of ethics; normative, consequential, utilitarian, nonconsequential, deontology and ethical relativism. Normative theory is concerned with a normal set of standards in which a person should live their lives. Consequential theory is just that, based on the consequences of the actions. Utilitarian theory is what is beneficial for the largest amount of people. Nonconsequential theory is based on what the outcome will be rather than the consequences of the action. Deontology theory is based on duty to do the right thing not just for self but for others. Ethical relativism is based on what each culture or group of people thinks is moral.

“Origins of sociological thinking can be traced to the scientific revolution in the late seventeenth and early eighteenth century” (Kendall 11). In this time, great store was put on one’s possession of critical reasoning and experiences. In France the Enlightenment was dominated by a group called philosophes; these men believed that human society could be improved through scientific discoveries (Kendall 11). In France during this time period women were excluded from public life, but some women were able to influence the philosophes by participating in a “salon” which is much like an open house which encouraged discussion and debates. During these salon’s the men typically viewed the women as someone that was a good listener, or maybe even

After reading these sections, I had to re-read how to transition into my source, because I sometimes through them in there without context. I should’ve read this before I turned in my midterm paper for my other class, because I got docked for throwing in a quote. But, as I am writing my final research paper, I am prepared. Also, a nice refresher was the common logic section, because as I invest deeper into my discipline, I am having trouble by assuming certain sociological theory is common sense, but it’s not the case. Now I know common knowledge only pertains facts, historical events and geographical locations.