Transcript The Sociological Point of View

The Sociological
Point of View
Current Perspectives
Pgs. 14-17
Theory and Perspective

Theory: an
explanation of the
relationships among
particular
phenomena.
 A statement of how
and why specific
facts are related.

Theoretical
Perspectives: a
general set of
assumptions about
the nature of things.
 Outlines specific
ideas about the
nature of social life.
Functionalist Perspective

Broadly based on ideas of Spencer,
Comte and Durkheim.
– View society as a set of interrelated parts
that work together to produce a stable
social system.
– Functionalists = Society by Consensus
• Most people agree on what is best for society
and work together to ensure the system runs
smoothly.
Functionalist Perspective

Functionalists view
the various
elements in society
in terms of their
functions, or their
positive
consequences for
society.

Dysfunctional: the
negative
consequence an
element has for the
stability of the social
system.
– Ex. Crime
Functionalist Perspective

Manifest Function
– The intended and
recognized
consequences of
some elements of
society.
• Ex. The manifest
function of a car is
speedy transportation
from one location to
another.

Latent Function
– The unintended and
unrecognized
consequence of an
element of society.
• Ex. The latent
function of a car is to
gain social standing
by showing off your
wealth.
Conflict Perspective
Focuses on the forces in society that
promote competition and change.
 Follows the ideas of Karl Marx.
 Interested in how those who possess
power in society exercise control over
those with less power.
 These conflict theorists do not limit
themselves to violent conflict.

Conflict Perspective

This group also
studies competition
between men and
women, different
ages, or people of
different national
backgrounds.

Decision making in
the family
 Relationships
among racial groups
 Disputes between
workers and
employees
Conflict Perspective
People must compete with each other
for power and wealth.
 Once a group gains this it creates rules
in order to protect what they have and
keep it from other groups.
 This causes social conflict, and social
change.

Interactionist Perspective
Focus on how individuals interact with
one another in society.
 Interested in the ways in which
individuals respond to one another in
everyday situations.
 Also interested in the meanings that
individuals attach to their own actions
and to the actions of others

Interactionist Perspective

Followed the work of
Max Weber
 Particularly
interested in
symbols.
 Symbol: anything
that represents
something else.

Members of society
must agree on the
meaning of the
symbol.
– Ex. Physical objects,
gestures, words, and
events.
– Give examples of
these
Interactionist Perspective



Interactionist focus on
how people use
symbols when
interacting. Also known
as symbolic interaction.
Used to study
relationships between
groups, mate selection,
child development.
Popular in U.S.

Which theory or
perspective should
you use?
 Combing elements
from all three helps
to understand
human behavior.