What Are The Theoretical Principles Of Sociological Analysis

Symbolic interactionism is a sociological perspective focused on the meaning people associate to objects, events and

Introduction - This essay will discuss how Symbolic Interactionism is linked with racism in football in the United Kingdom & other parts of Europe Racism is generally defined as a belief that one particular race of people is superior to the other race. This belief leads to prejudice & discrimination against that particular race. Symbolic Interactionism is a theory of sociology that explains how people behave in social situations. It is an idea which tells us how people interact with the social environment using different types of symbols, ideas & situations in which they are involved.

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)

Functionalism interprets each part of society in terms of how it contributes to the stability of the whole society. It is a study that interprets that society is a complex system whose parts work together to encourage balance in our society. This perspective attempts to explain social organizations as collective means to meet individual and social demands. One example of this theory is the justice system. The justice system is made up of different independent parts, like police, lawyers, judges, etc., and they all make up one group if they work together. This group being the justice system.

Functional theory was influenced by Emile Durkheim. Adherents of this theory emphasize, "Various parts of society have functions or positive effects that promote solidarity and maintain the stability of the whole." (Parrillo 11) Thus a society is held together by

Moreover, Societies are held together by both consensus with values and coercion. The functionalist view is that the balance of harmony among the society is held up by societal institutions. For example, schools, church and family are seen as the most significant foundation for an adequately functional society.

Symbolic Interactionism (1)- The theory of symbolic interactionism conveys how society is made up of symbols that create meaning, develop communication, and produce world views. At the North Hanover Mall all interactions and even moods were established because of simple symbols. The overall mood of the mall was almost the same form person to person, a look of boredom was on the faces of many whether young or old. The attitude seemed to appear in people shortly after they entered the mall, once they had observed other individual’s body language and expressions, they shifted theirs as if they were trying to fit in with the crowd. Contrastingly when an employee

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.

The Symbolic Interaction theory refers to ways in which a family or society attaches meaning to verbal communication, non-verbal communication, people, and objects. We are taught from a young age communication using verbal language and accepted ways to express our needs. The theory represents perception of objects or actions (Macionis, 2007, p.17).

The conflict theory states that conflicts and tensions arise when power, status, and resources become unevenly distributed among different individuals within a society. These conflicts thus result in the social changes that are experienced within the societies. Conflict theory views the society as one

Last, symbolic interaction is the third of the three sociological perspectives. Symbolic interaction is things that human attach meanings to. Symbolic interaction is a micro-level theory. Micro-level theories are small scale theories. Heart shape symbols, for example, is a symbolic element. Humans use red hearts to represent the love hey have for each other. Symbolic interaction relates to divorce by a couple removing their wedding bands. Individuals who does not wear wedding bands symbolizes they are single or divorced. Also, by one of the spouse refusing to wear their wedding bands can offend the opposite partner and cause the marriage to stray towards divorce.

Conflict theory is a term that is being used to help us, people, to understand how and why a model of behaviors, norms, inequality, powers, ideology, values that characterize our social system is happing or have happened over time. This theory focuses on people the way that they act. It has been believed that people tend to do things that are interest others. For instance, Stanly A. Deetz who wrote Democracy In An Age Of Corporate Colonization views theory as a lens and a way of seeing the world. Yet, it tends to direct our attention toward making useful feedback with the social system responded. A common example that Deetz mentions in his book is the relationship between mangers and workers of the corporations. A manger would want the highest profits, while the worker would want the highest wages. This tends to start a conflict of goal and a definition of what the politics look like of everyday life in a corporate colonization. Conflict they is one-way of seeing what is going on around us, it’s the process of categorizing the society, the culture and the human’s life.

Conflict theory focuses on distribution of resources power and inequality it's the wealth versus the poor. This theory can be relevant on a micro and macro level

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.

“Conflict perspective is a sociological approach that assumes that social behavior is best understood in terms of tension between groups over power or the allocation of resources, including housing, money, access to services, and political representation.” (Schaefer, 2010). These theorists see the purpose of education as maintaining social inequality and preserving the power of those who dominate society. Conflict theorists and functionalists examine the same functions of education. “Functionalists see education as a beneficial contribution to an ordered society; however, conflict theorists see the educational system as perpetuating the status quo by dulling the lower classes into being obedient workers.” (CliffNotes.com, 2010).