Theories in sociology provide us with different perspectives with which to view our social world. A perspective is simply a way of looking at the world. A theory is a set of interrelated propositions or principles designed to answer a question or explain a particular phenomenon; it provides us with a perspective. Sociological theories help us to explain and predict the social world in which we live.
Sociology includes three major theoretical perspectives: the structural-functionalist perspective, the conflict perspective, and the symbolic interactionist perspective. Each perspective offers a variety of explanations about the causes of and possible solutions for social problems (Rubington & Weinberg, 1995).
Structural-Functionalist
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Structural-Functionalist Theories of Social Problems
Two dominant theories of social problems grew out of the structural-functionalist perspective: social pathology and social disorganization.
Social Pathology According to the social pathology model, social problems result from some "sickness" in society. Just as the human body becomes ill when our systems, organs, and cells do not function normally, society becomes "ill" when its parts (i.e., elements of the structure and culture) no longer perform properly. For example, problems such as crime, violence, poverty, and juvenile delinquency are often attributed to the breakdown of the family institution, the decline of the religious institution, and inadequacies in our economic, educational, and political institutions.
Social "illness" also results when members of a society are not adequately socialized to adopt its norms and values. Persons who do not value honesty, for example, are prone to dishonesties of all sorts. Early theorists attributed the failure in socialization to "sick" people who could not be socialized. Later theorists recognized that failure in the socialization process stemmed from "sick" social conditions, not "sick" people. To prevent or solve social problems, members of society must receive proper socialization and moral education, which may be accomplished in the family, schools, churches, workplace, and/or through the media.
Social Disorganization According to the social
There are three different theoretical perspectives. Functionalist perspective, which emphasizes the way in which the parts of a society are structured to maintain its stability. Functionalists see the contribution that it makes to society. The conflict perspective, assumes that social behavior is best understood in terms of tension between groups over power or the allocation of resources, and political representation. The interactionalist perspective, which generalize about everyday forms of social interaction in order to explain society as a whole (Schaefer).
Book Definition: Two dominant theories of social problems grew out of the structural functionalist perspective: social pathology and social disorganization (pg 9 Understanding Social Problems). Social pathology is a social problem like a sickness in a society Examples: Unemployment, which causes a breakdown in the economy. Poverty, due to disruption of the family farm and lack of family values.
Explain the three major sociological perspectives of functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism. Identify which perspectives use a macro level or a micro level of analysis. Apply each perspective to socialization.
For example a key perspective is Marxism, it shows the class division in society separating the bourgeoisie from the proletariat and explores how social order is maintained by domination of the bourgeoisie. I am interested by sociology as there is so many different views on the way society is constructed and maintained and the way different perspectives challenge one another creating ongoing
Sociologists employ three major theoretical perspectives in sociology today. They are the structural-functionalist perspective, the conflict perspective, and the symbolic interactionism. The structural-functionalist perspective is done at a macro level and its focus is on the relationships between the parts of society. The Conflict perspective is done at a macro level and its main focus is on how the wealthy controls the poor and weak.
A comparison of the two prominent macro sociological theories, Structural Functionalism and Conflict Theory; shows some similarities and other strong opposing and contrasting concepts. Many of the beliefs of the Conflict Theory were born in reaction and disagreement to the long standing ideas of Structural Functionalism, which held the leading view among sociologists at the time. Unlike Functionalism, Conflict Theory is not developed on the concept that society is created and produced from dependency on other institutions working together; but rather that conflict creates society through the competition for resources. Functional Sociologist, Tallcott Parsons, specifically emphasized the importance of social order. According to conflict theorists, functionalism was incomplete in explaining occurrences in society like poverty in America. While Functionalism stressed cooperation; Conflict theory stressed competition as the primary basis on which social analysis is built. An example of similar beliefs of structure, but contrasting views by theories of their purpose and role, would be an institution of religion. Conflict Theory viewed religion as a negative institution of society and saw it as a mechanism for dumbing down the general labors, controlling them and pacifying them in their exploited state of existence. In a world viewed of inequality, religion was used primarily as a form of control. Meanwhile in Functionalism, the view of religion was that it was a
The sociological perspective puts emphasis on the social context in which people live in and how these contexts influence their lives. At the center of this perspective is the question of how groups influence people, especially how people are influence by their society. Sociologists will look at how income, jobs, education, gender. age. and race affect people’s ideas and behavior.
Sociological Perspectives and Theories Sociologists try to explain how society orders itself but there are many different theories for this, which often conflict with one another. Some of these classic theories include Marxism, Functionalism, and Interactionism. There are also more modern or contemporary theories such as Feminism. Each sociological perspective has different beliefs.
The approach one takes to study a particular subject is called a perspective. There are many subjects to be studied and discussed in the field of Sociology. Perspectives name different ways in which different people choose to analyze a subject, and how they look at a society as a whole. The three different perspectives are the functionalist,
Sociological perspectives is the study of human life and social interactions; the way humans interact in group settings or in society as a whole. In sociology there are three primary sociological theories or approaches known as conflict, functionalist, and symbolic interactionist. Each theory has its own perspectives based upon how humans view society, social change, social order or individual views. The symbolic interactionist perspective is the sociological approach that generalizes about everyday forms of social interactions in order to explain society as a whole (Witt, J. 2015, pp 17). Symbolic interactionist is what we will use to find out how it affects family, marriage, education and religion within our lives daily.
This can happen as a whole society or just a part of a society. Emile Durkheim, a sociologist, started that social problems occur when people no longer can agree
Sociological perspectives is an echoed term, which is divided into three major factors: “…symbolic interactionism, functionalism, and conflict theory” (Chambliss & Eglitis, n.d.). Conflict theory is a theory that claims society is in a state of perpetual conflict due to competition for limited resources. It holds that social order is
Structural Functionalism aims to understand society in an objective way. It views society as an entity that is “objectively real”. It emphasizes the unity of society, and how individuals perform roles and how these roles are vital in meeting the needs of the collective whole. For instance, because every society has stratification, stratification must have certain functions and these functions can contribute to the survival of the social system as a whole. Furthermore, structural
Explain the three major sociological perspectives of functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism. Identify which perspectives use a macrolevel or a microlevel of analysis. Apply each perspective to socialization.
You might well think and ask, illness are concerned only with the physical condition of your body, why could one’s illness have anything to do with the society? However, one’s health issue can affect the society in different ways, for example, alcohol abuse and obesity that decrease the morale.